6014
Placement Title:
Faculty/Professional Service:
Team/Department/Section:
Main Contact Name:
Supporting Teams and Colleagues:
Hours:
Start Date:
Placement Length:
Placement to cover:
Brief description of the placement:
Number of placements requested
Vintage Dress Pattern Cutter and Creator
Faculty of Art Design and Humanities / Fashion
and Textiles based in Gateway House
The Open Educational Resource for Vintage
Clothing and Book Publication
Helen Burbidge
Helen Burbidge will support through the
development of skills in pattern cutting and
creation.
Christine Boydell will act as historical advisor
Technicians: Joanne Earl will assist with use of
resources
10 x hrs/week during term time
16 x hrs/week during holidays
4th August 2014
9 months
Term Time and holiday periods
The frontrunner will be working alongside the
researcher as well as independently to learn the
process of pattern creation from vintage
artefacts, the sizing adaptations needed, and
the correct techniques for construction. They
will be assisting in part or the whole process
where necessary. This is a creative role where
previous knowledge of pattern cutting and
construction is essential. The candidate will be
expected to have a good eye for detail and an
interest in vintage clothing.
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What graduate level career would the placement experience support/lead to?
The frontrunner will develop expertise in pattern interpretation, creation, adaptation, and
alteration. This experience will strengthen a portfolio where design and pattern cutting are the
desired roles.
They will develop some curator skills in the handling and care of vintage garments. They will
develop their historical knowledge of clothing design, materials, and construction. This knowledge
is particularly beneficial for those wanting to gain experience in vintage design and in archival
design inspiration.
Training to be undertaken during the placement:
A training needs analysis form will be completed to identify strengths and weaknesses. This will be
managed by Helen Burbidge. The training identified will be learnt through observation, joint
participation and experimentation until the individual is confident enough to work independently.
Method of assessment of performance
The frontrunner will be ideally situated in Gateway House, floor 2, with access to a desk on an
arranged day in the same office as H.Burbidge. Performance can be assessed against a task sheet
that lists the areas identified by the training needs analysis. An exit interview can be provided
upon request.
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Duties of the Placement:
The duties of the placement will include:
Duty Heading
Care of Artefact
Draft and Measurement
Testing
Pattern Development
To Record Process
Dress Realisation
Duty Description
Specific handling techniques as well as guidance
for the use of tools near the vintage artefact
will be learnt as a priority.
To use measurements and blocks to draft
guidelines for pattern development under
guidance and independently to a standard base
size. Understand base size measurement and
fabric properties.
To toile and experiment with techniques. To
research relevant techniques independently.
To adapt patterns where necessary under
guidance and independently.
To document fit sessions on a ‘Fit Specification’.
To document progress using image and text and
storing on a digital file.
To use due care and efficient working practices
to assist and partake of the creation process
from pattern, cut, and construction.
Skills associated with the placement
The skills developed as part of this placement will include:
Skills / experience developed
Brief explanation
Curator Skills: Handling and Due Care Skills
Specific handling techniques as well as informed
use of tools near the vintage artefact will be
developed. Fabric efficiency, measurement and
pattern accuracy, and cut instructions will be
developed.
Practice Based Skills: Pattern Creation and Fit
Both 2D and 3D skills will be developed in
assessment
technical and creative ways in order to
demonstrate garment replication in keeping
with scale and proportion. Good practice will be
developed in the logging of progress, pattern
amendments, and fit sessions.
Practice Based Skills: Historical Construction
Skills in identifying methods of construction and
Techniques
/ or embellishment will be explored through
research and practice.
Project Management Skills: Dress Realisation
You will develop the skills in the replication of
design through the creation and re-sizing of
patterns under supervision until confident
enough to work independently. You will assist
and/or lead on the making up of the replica
dress using exact methods.
You will document your work in progress to
Presentation Skills:
detail the process of pattern development,
order of make and fit communication.
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Required Experience/Knowledge/Skills for the placement
Candidates for the placement will need to be able to reference the following
experience/knowledge/skills as part of their application:
Area
Essential
Remain a DMU student for duration of

placement.
Must not be on an existing Frontrunner

placement when this vacancy commences.
Must have sound pattern cutting and

construction skills
Must have produced work to a high standard in

clothing and text based production
Have a knowledge of Vintage clothing design
Desirable

Have a knowledge of clothing terminology

Should have an awareness of fit issues and
methods for resolving poor fit.
Must be fluent in English

Must have education and training in pattern
design
Should be able to work independently
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
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