Specialist skills on show
8 July 2009
Kangan Batman TAFE's Centre of Fashion jumped to the forefront of the industry last month, when the specialist training facility delivered customised workshops on seamless garment manufacture.
Designed to introduce students, trainers and industry representatives to the emerging world of seamless garments and the specialist machinery related to this method of production, two workshops were held at the Richmond-based facility.
Funded by the International Fibre Centre (IFC) in partnership with the Council of Textiles and Fashion Industries Australia (TFIA), the initiative was developed in consultation with leading Italian seamless garment machine manufacturer the Santoni Group.
Workshop project manager Sarah Conners said the first workshop was designed specifically for fashion students already undertaking some form of study.
"As the first training of its kind ever offered in Australia, places in the student workshop attracted quite a bit of attention, and filled very quickly," she said.
"The course was largely delivered by a specialist technician from the Santoni Group, so we really were bringing world's best practice to an enthusiastic Victorian audience."
Seamless garment manufacture creates products that are cost effective and sustainable by eliminating the traditional design, patternmaking and grading processes along with most of the sewing operations.
Following on from the success of the student program, a second workshop designed specifically for fashion teachers and industry representatives attracted participants from as far away as Queensland.
This second workshop was based on the student version, with particular emphasis on how course content could be incorporated into a range of teaching environments.
"Feedback from both courses was extremely positive," Sarah said, "with participants really embracing the chance to learn about seamless technology and produce their own garment.
"Everyone found it really exciting to watch a garment that they had a hand in designing actually being knitted. We also delivered modules on knitting structures, appropriate and new fibres for seamless garments, how the machine works and the software used for this process.
"At the end of the second workshop, participants received a comprehensive teaching resource pack which included a CD ROM featuring information relating to fibres, yarns and manufacturing techniques used in seamless garment manufacture and a kit of weft knit fabric samples specifically designed for classroom use."
Over the two-day workshops, Santoni technician Sandro Maggiori played a pivotal role in the delivery of training and the correct use of the seamless garment manufacture machine.
Established in 1919 as the first Italian sock machine manufacturer, the Santoni Group has grown in research and development over the years to create what is widely regarded as the leading electronic seamless garment machine.
Now, in 2009, through the delivery of these specialised workshops, the Santoni Group is helping to keep Australian designers and clothes manufacturers abreast of the latest developments in a competitive fashion world.
Sarah said teachers at the Centre of Fashion were particularly excited to have secured Sandro's specialist skills and knowledge to deliver the workshops.
"Not only did Sandro bring this specific knowledge to our workshops, he also arrived fresh from attending ShanghaiTex, the largest machinery expo in the world, so we were really lucky to have such a rich resource right here in Melbourne," she said.
"All our course participants - both the fashion teachers and students - took something valuable away from the experience, so it's a workshop we would definitely look at holding again. We're also looking into the possibility of delivering similar training in direct-to-fabric digital printing based on the success of this initiative."
For more information about the Centre of Fashion's retail, fashion and millinery courses, visit www.kangan.edu.au or call 13 TAFE (13 8233). If you are interested in enquiring about the seamless garment manufacture workshop, contact Sarah Conners on 03) 9425 5790.
