Page:The cutters' practical guide to the cutting of ladies' garments.djvu/112

Rh One more case occurs to mind, illustrating what we may term " the other end." We recall the form of a Student, whose hairs were already streaked with silver, and whose prime was certainly on the wane, if not past. His history none of the Students knew, except one he took into his confidence more than the others. He had been in business, but as the result of an unfortunate train of circumstances had failed, thus forming a crisis in his career. The very little capital he could command, he resolved to invest in a series of perfecting lessons or brush up at the Tailor and Cutter Academy. He attended to all the routine of instruction as one who feels he is playing his last card, and succeeded in fitting himself for the cutting room of a respectable trade ; so that we could with confidence recommend him to a good provincial trade as cutter, where he is now receiving £3 3s. a week, as well as satisfying his employers. Though we do have such cases, the majority of our Students are young men, who have for the most part acquired a knowledge of practical tailoring—though numbers come who have not even this acquirement ; and by a longer stay and dilligent application, not a few of these have distinguished themselves as cutters. Those who are determined, almost invariably do so. But as we have no wish to deceive any one— to succeed as a cutter, a young man must determine to do so. The advantages for young men acquiring the Cutting in these days are greater than they ever, were, but then competition is also greater. So that while success is open to all, it can only be attained by special effort. When a determined effort is made by our Students, success almost invariably follows, as a matter of course. From the nearest estimate we can make, fully nine-tenths of our Students get situations and keep them. We select a few of the recent letters we have received from late Students, which we give at the end of this prospectus ; these are only specimens out of a very large bundle. The time of year for Students. We have two seasons in the year when the bulk of our Students pass through our Academy. The one season begins in January and the other in July ; and though no Student is accepted unless we have a place for him, still, when it is equally convenient, Students will do well to come between the seasons. As we keep a regular staff of competent teachers all the year round, and as our method of teaching combines both individual and class teaching, Students can begin their studies at any time, for as regards the rudiments, each is treated individually, and on his own merits, so that his progress is simply at the rate at which he can acquire tuition. Well, after the care and attention we have devoted to the development of our Academy arrangements and course of study, as set forth in this prospectus, we naturally and confidently say : Nowhere can the Art of Cutting be taught so thoroughly and practically as at the Tailor and Cutter Academy. There are several ways of acquiring the Cutting. Some do so by self-tuition, and in our " Students Instructor and Guide," full detailed instruction are given as to how this can be done. Easy lessons are given to start with, and the necessary works are given in their order, for study. This excellent work, which ought to he in the hand of every intending Student, whether they intend acquiring the Art at our Academy or not, is supplied at our Office, at the nominal charge of One Shilling. To acquire the Art by self-tuition, however, requires more determined application than the bulk of young men will be found able to summon. Besides, so many difficulties arise in tuition which can only be met verbally as they arise. Still, it is possible to acquire the Art of Cutting by self-tuition.

Intending Students, however, must judge for themselves as to the course they will pursue in acquiring the Art of Cutting. Our business in this prospectus is to point out the advantages accruing from a course of tuition at the Tailor and Cutter Academy. No effort on our part is required to bring Students to our Academy, as nearly all come through the recommendation of old Students. We only ask intending Students to compare the course of tuition and advantages of the Tailor and Cutter Academy, and the success of our Students as compared with other Cutting Schools.

It is, or ought to be, the merest truism to state, that mere systems or theoretic teaching cannot make a student competent for success at the Cutting Board, hence the very large infusion of the practical element in out teaching. Defects in fitting, their causes and remedies are fully discussed and practically illustrated. Our lectures embrace the Art of Trying On, with practical illustrations. The Use and Abuse of Model Patterns are treated in a series of lectures. Practical illustrations are also given in Economy in Cutting—an important branch of cutting not sufficiently studied. Business principles and qualifications also form the subjects of several lectures ; and indeed—as will be seen by the following syllabus—the whole groundwork of an artistic, scientific, and commercial education, covering the whole tailoring trade, is fully illustrated and explained.

Our Cutting Rooms are light, airy, and lofty, while every convenience necessary for health and comfort have been studied. We will now suppose a Student desirous of coming to our Academy to acquire the Art of Cutting ; his first enquiry will be :

Though not in every case, still in many cases, the first question will be one of finance. Where this is a consideration, economy must be studied. There is the railway fare—if the Student is out of London—whatever that may be. A month's tuition will be five pounds, which is payable upon entering upon his studies. Then there is board and lodging. Our accommodation for Students is in the suburbs. Our secretary and chief assistant has, with his wife, the charge of our lodging department. 7/- a week was the old charge for lodging, but as the railway fare amounts to 2/- a week, going to and fro to the office, this has been deducted from the lodging, so that the lodging is 5/-, which with the railway fare is 7/-. As these are matters which will doubtless interest many intending students, we may add further, that Students usually have breakfast and tea at our Students' apartments and Sunday's dinner, and dine on weekdays at one of the convenient places not far from the office. The whole can be done, including washing, for £1 a week. While this provides every necessary, it also involves economy. It includes nothing for getting about sightseeing. For others who go in for a longer period of tuition, and to whom a pound or two is no very special object, no difficulty can be experienced in arranging all such matters.