Page:The Cutter's Practical Guide 1898 Edition Part 1.djvu/118

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But whatever his previous knowledge may be he is soon set to work, studying those garments which he does not understand. As usual "birds of a feather flock together" and in the harmony of a kindred soul the student Often finds considerable help, The first introduction to the Cutting Room, full of strangers, all engaged in the different stages of tuition, and on different garments. is in many cases, a little embarrass- ing; but this soon passes away. and what with the in- terest taken in the Work, und the geniality of the students. the new comer noon feels at home. By the plate we gave on page 4 a glimpse is obtained of the upper Cutting Room as taken from the door. from which it will be sees there is a busy scene. Each is in- tent on his own work. One is measuring a fellow Student. another is practising what he has been shown, whilst others are receiving lessons from the teachers. The First Lesson Generally takes the form of a les- son in measuring, and the importance of getting a correct idea of the custo- mer's require~ ments. Our method of teaching is that of individual in- struction, with oc- casional lessons in class form. This will be readily gathered from the illustrations. A young man has just arrived, and he has decided to start on costs, and here we see the teacher showing him how to take the measures; and as this is a somewhat interesting operation, one or two of the others are looking on whilst others are being shown how to draft some part of a garment according to the stage they have reached. The importance of correct measures having been emphasised. and the Student having taken the place of the teacher, and tried his hand whilst the teacher looks on and suggests improvements in manner or method as he thinks best he is then ready to proceed. Many of our Stu- dents when they arrive have already acquired the art of measuring. in which case it is unnecessary to do more than call attention to it. We are always desirous of advancing our Students as fast as possible so that as soon as we are satisfied they have acquired one les- son we proceed with the next. It is, however. the common expe- rience of all touch- ers that Students want to tackle the difficult before they have mastered the easy; and as learning means going over the lesson again and again, we occa- sionally find Stu- dents (mostly very young ones) who are always ready for something fresh long before they have thoroughly mastered the pre- sent lesson: this is what we have to guard against The only royal road to learning cutting, as pretty well evrything else, is hard work. The lesson has to be learnt line upon line and precept upon precept. if it is to be of good service in practice; and our aim from first to last is to build on a solid foundation, getting the Student to master each lesson ere he passes to the next. With that in view he is required to take note of each lesson he learns, drawing diagram. &c., as may be required.