Page:The cutters' practical guide to the cutting of ladies' garments.djvu/113



The first thing when a Student arrives, is to introduce him to the head teacher. If he knows nothing of marking or cutting, his first lesson will be in holding and using the chalk. Then a system of forepart or trousers is drawn out before him and explained. He rubs it out, and trys to reproduce it, following a draught on drawing paper on the wall. To the uninitiated this is perhaps the most difficult part of the course ; but a little practice in finding points and draughting, and each succeeding lesson becomes easier and easier. We find generally the first few days are the most trying. With a number of Students around him, whose progress is in all the different stages of developmen—some draughting out what appears the most complicated problems with ease — he begins to fear that he will never master cutting, and several in the course of our experience, have at this stage come and told us so. In a day or two more, however, he begins to know both his fellow Students and their work more familiarly, and by and bye he becomes as confidant as any in the room.

A drawing book is given to each Student in which to insert the systems to the $1⁄6$ or $1⁄4$ scale, as he masters them, and it is desirable each Student should provide himself with a note book ; for besides taking notes of the lectures, so many hints on all points in cutting are imparted in the course of a day, that much will be gained by the Student making note of these. It is in such points as these that the difference comes in between a dilligent Student and one who makes comparatively small progress. The hours of attendance are such as not to greatly tax the Student. From 10 to 1 o'clock, and from 2 to 5 o'clock. Then the occupation is varied, though of course the largest part of it is devoted to draughting and direct tuition. A conversational lecture is is usually given in the morning upon some feature in draughting, when generally some practical illustration is given of actual work in the cutting room—a garment being either cut out, tried on or examined, or in other ways the practical work of the cutting room is illustrated ; the daily lecture when all the Students meet, occupies from 4 to 5 o'clock. One afternoon and evening a week during the season, after 4 o'clock, is devoted to social entertainment. The Students form themselves into a debating society, when some question, more or less directly connected with the trade is discussed, Mr. Williamson usually presiding. Tea is afterwards provided, and the evening generally finishes with a lantern slide entertainment, Mr. Williamson having invented a process by which full size figures are thrown upon the screen to illustrate the different styles of garments. These social evenings have introduced quite a new tone in our Academy, the Students being much more social and friendly : and as it pretty well goes without saying, that all Students who come to our Academy, are sober, steady and respectable, the friendship formed with each other, and the little outings arranged, keep them from the many temptations to be found in London. Saturday afternoon excursions, up or down the river, are frequently arranged for during the season. Many letters we receive from old Students record pleasing memories of the happy days they spent at our Academy, and of the home feeling and comfort experienced at the Students' apartments.

The following is our New Syllabus of the Afternoon Lectures to be delivered during the ensuing season. These are not necessarily delivered in rotation, the teachers using their discretion as to the lectures to be delivered each week The New List of Subjects for the week's Lecture is hung up in the Cutting Rooms every Monday morning. The List of Garments taught will be found in the complete Syllabus, sent on receipt of stamp for postage. In addition to the ordinary tuition for a term varying from one month upwards, we receive a large number of cutters in daily practice, who require a little coaching up in special garments. One wants to know how to cut military trousers, another has a difficulty with his coats, a third comes up to acquire the Art of Cutting Ladies' Garments ; but no matter what they wish to acquire, we are prepared to coach them up. Many a young man gets a week, or some only a day, off, for an excursion trip, and instead of spending it exclusively in holiday, he comes to the Tailor and Cutter Office, and goes back to his business with fresh ideas and new energy. The charge for this is one day 1 guinea, three days $1⁄2$ guineas, one week 2 guineas, or a fornight 3 guineas. Yes ! we have a room specially set apart for our Lady Students, as wall be seen by the Special Prospectus for Lady Students which follows. Cutters desirous of being examined with the view of gaining a Diploma, are admitted on the usual terms for special cases, viz., 3 days, $1 1⁄2$ guineas ; they may obtain a specimen list of questions they will have to answer, by forwarding a stamp to the Tailor and Cutter Office.

In addition to writing answers to similar questions (not the ones sent) they will undergo a personal examination and be required to measure for a suit and cut it out, as well as any ether special task the examiners may deem necessary, so as to thoroughly test their ability, and the value of the Diploma will be according to the result of the examination.

It is not necessary the cutter desirous of being examined should cut by the Tailor and Cutter Systems. Any system that produces a satisfactory result is all that is needed.

Students coming for one month and upwards have the following concession made to them.

(a') The right to purchase any of our published works at half price, with the exception of the bound volume of the Tailor and Cutter and the Ladies' Tailor, which are supplied at a discount of 9-5 per cent.