About this module
Ghana's garment factories need trained machinists, and every community needs a tailor who finishes on time. This module prepares you for both.
Who it is for. People with no formal certificate. National Proficiency I is a bridging level for people with minimal education.
Why sewing, and why industrial skills
- DTRT Apparel employs about 2,500 people in Tema and is expanding by 2,700 jobs; new hires are trained on the machines.
- In a GIZ-supported project, over 200 deaf people are being trained as seamstresses at DTRT and then employed; supervisors learn Ghanaian Sign Language.
- A new factory in Savelugu, commissioned in August 2026, plans over 10,000 jobs, mostly for women.
- But be careful: a large study of Ghana's apprenticeship programme found weak short-term earnings in garment making, possibly because new tailors lacked start-up capital. Industrial machine skills, factory jobs and a clear business plan help.
CTVET status. CTVET lists Fashion Design Technology at National Proficiency I and II. Its unit list was not found online, so this module is not that curriculum. The Youth Employment Agency also runs garment programmes with factory placements and apprenticeships.
How the module works
Each unit has learning outcomes, performance criteria, the range and the evidence your assessor needs. You are judged Competent or Not Yet Competent from what your assessor sees, asks and reads in your logbook. About 70% of the time is practical, following CTVET's Oil Palm programme, which uses about 30% in school and 70% at the workplace.
Unit 1 · Work safely and comfortably
Needles go through fingers, irons burn, and bad chairs ruin backs. Set up well and you can sew comfortably for years.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 1.1 Use guards and switch off | uses needle guards; switches off before threading or changing needles |
| 1.2 Sit well | adjusts chair, table and light; takes breaks |
| 1.3 Prevent burns and fire | uses irons safely; keeps lint clean |
| 1.4 Work tidily | keeps scissors, pins and cables safe |
Range. Workshop and factory. Evidence. Observation every session; oral questions.
Hazards in the workshop
Apprentices in Kumasi faced cuts from scissors, blades and pins, slips and falls, electric shocks, and sewing through their fingers. The UK safety regulator advises needle guards set to each operator's fingers, light that stays on when the motor is off, guarded belts and pulleys, feet off the pedal and power off when threading or changing needles, and overhead cables.
Your back and neck
In a study of 100 tailors and dressmakers in Madina, most sat on stools with no backrest, and 60–74% had back, neck or shoulder pain; the study says better set-ups could raise output two to three times. Use a chair with a backrest at the right height, good light, and stand and stretch every hour.
Dust and fire
Cotton dust can cause breathing problems: clean with a damp cloth or vacuum, not a broom or blowing. Never leave a hot iron face-down or near fabric piles.
Safe or unsafe?
- Ama changes the needle with the motor running.
- Kofi sits on a stool with no back for ten hours.
- Esi sweeps lint into the air with a broom.
- Yaw switches off and takes his foot off the pedal before threading.
- Adwoa leaves the iron face-down on a cloth.
Set up your station
- Adjust chair and table height; check the light.
- Fit and adjust the needle guard.
- Practise the switch-off routine before threading.
- Clean lint with a damp cloth.
Check a workshop
Visit a tailor. Note three things that help or harm their back and safety.
Unit 2 · Know your machines
Factories use industrial machines. Learn them well and you can work anywhere.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 2.1 Thread and set | threads, sets stitch length and tension |
| 2.2 Control speed | sews straight lines and curves at steady speed |
| 2.3 Use an overlocker | finishes raw edges with an overlocker |
| 2.4 Care for the machine | cleans, oils and changes needles |
Range. Domestic, industrial lockstitch and overlock machines. Evidence. Practice sheets; observation.
Lockstitch and overlock
A lockstitch machine joins two threads, top and bobbin, into a strong straight stitch. An overlocker uses several threads and cones, trims the raw edge and wraps it so it does not fray; 3- and 4-thread machines are common. Industrial overlockers are very fast: start slowly.
Prices (online listings)
| Machine | GH¢ |
|---|---|
| Electric domestic | 1,000–1,600 |
| Butterfly manual | 1,100 |
| Industrial (used set) | about 3,350–4,000 |
| 4-thread overlock | about 1,700–4,500 |
Prices vary and many are negotiable.
Machine control
- Thread each machine type and wind a bobbin.
- Sew straight lines, curves and corners on paper, then fabric.
- Adjust tension until the stitch is even on both sides.
- Overlock the edges of five fabric pieces.
- Clean and oil a machine; change a needle.
Price the machines
Visit a sewing machine shop. Record prices of a domestic, an industrial and an overlock machine.
Unit 3 · Measure, cut and prepare
Most bad fits start with a bad measurement or a careless cut.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 3.1 Measure | takes and records body measurements accurately |
| 3.2 Prepare fabric | checks, washes or presses fabric and finds the grain |
| 3.3 Mark and cut | lays out pattern pieces and cuts accurately |
Range. Wax print, cotton; simple patterns. Evidence. Measurement cards; cut pieces.
Know your fabrics
- Wax print: GTP has made Ghanaian wax prints since 1966.
- Kente is hand-woven, and since 2025 only cloth woven traditionally in places such as Bonwire and Agotime Kpetoe may be sold as "Kente". Never label a printed copy as Kente.
- Fugu / batakari: Wednesdays were declared National Fugu Day in 2026.
Measure and cut
- Take ten body measurements of a partner; record on a measurement card.
- Press the fabric and mark the grain line.
- Lay out a simple skirt pattern; mark and cut.
- Check each piece against the pattern.
Measure your family
Take measurements of two family members on cards.
Unit 4 · Sew simple garments
Start simple, sew neatly, and finish every garment fully.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 4.1 Sew seams | sews plain seams with correct allowance, finished edges |
| 4.2 Add closures and hems | sews zips, buttonholes and hems |
| 4.3 Make garments | makes a skirt, a simple shirt or dress, and a bag |
Range. Simple garments in cotton and wax print. Evidence. Finished garments; photos.
Make four items
- A tote bag (straight seams, handles).
- A gathered or straight skirt with zip and hem.
- A simple shirt or straight dress.
- A school-uniform style item.
- Photograph each for your portfolio.
Repair practice
Repair a torn seam or replace a zip for someone at home.
Unit 5 · Quality and production-line work
In a factory you sew one part, many times, perfectly. Speed comes after quality.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 5.1 Check quality | inspects work against a checklist |
| 5.2 Work on a line | sews one operation repeatedly to standard |
| 5.3 Communicate | uses signs and pictures for instructions |
Range. Simulated production line. Evidence. Quality records; line output.
- Seams. Straight, even allowance, no skipped stitches.
- Edges. Finished, no fraying.
- Fit. Matches the measurements.
- Finish. Threads trimmed, pressed, clean.
- On time. Ready when promised.
Working in factories
The YEA garment programme offers six months of on-the-job factory training leading to employment, or a 12-month apprenticeship with a certified master leading to self-employment. At DTRT, a garment-production sign-language dictionary and video tutorials help deaf machinists.
Mini production line
- Split a simple bag into five operations.
- Each trainee does one operation for 30 minutes.
- Inspect every bag; record pass and fail.
- Discuss what slowed the line and what caused faults.
Factory jobs
Find out how to apply to a garment factory or the YEA garment programme.
Unit 6 · Your location and business ideas
Set up where people buy cloth and need clothes made, and plan for the busy seasons.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 6.1 Choose a location | scores sites with the checklist |
| 6.2 Know the fees | lists Assembly fees for tailors |
| 6.3 Add income ideas | plans at least three extra lines |
Range. Real or planned sites. Evidence. Location report; business plan.
When and where demand rises
Parents queue at fabric shops when schools reopen. Demand for Ghana-made clothes rises before Christmas, and tailors work late. Weekly demand comes from Fugu Wednesdays and Friday wear.
- Footfall. Near fabric sellers, markets, schools, offices.
- Visible. A sign and a display of your work.
- Power. Reliable electricity, or a treadle back-up.
- Space. For cutting, sewing and fitting.
- Access for all. Step-free entrance; room for a wheelchair.
Assembly fees (STMA 2025, per year)
| Category | GH¢ |
|---|---|
| Non-industrial dressmaker or tailor, small | 120 |
| Non-industrial, medium / large | 150 / 190 |
| Embroidery only | 100 |
| Industrial fashion designer (large) | 1,600 |
Ideas to earn more
- School uniforms: a policy dialogue urged the Ministry to use community tailors for uniform contracts.
- Group orders for churches, funerals and associations.
- Alterations and repairs: quick money every day.
- Bags and accessories from offcuts.
- Learn beading for slippers and garments, as the tailors' association advises.
- Disability support: Sekondi-Takoradi's Assembly has given industrial sewing machines to persons with disabilities from the disability fund.
Ten customers
Ask ten people near your chosen site what they would have sewn and how much they pay.
Unit 7 · Market yourself and manage the money
In Ghana, a tailor who finishes on time is rare. Be that tailor and customers will bring their friends.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 7.1 Market yourself | builds a portfolio and online catalogue |
| 7.2 Price a garment | prices with fabric, materials, time and profit |
| 7.3 Keep promises and records | uses an order book with dates |
Range. The trainee's planned business. Evidence. Portfolio; price list; order book.
Be the tailor who keeps promises
At a 2024 graduation, the tailors' association told artisans to plan their time to avoid disappointing customers, because being on time builds trust, referrals and repeat business. Newspaper columns complain about tailors who break promises. Write every order with a date, and only promise what you can deliver.
Get seen
Small Ghanaian fashion firms market mainly through WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook. Post photos of finished garments (with permission), add a label with your brand name, and keep a WhatsApp catalogue of styles and prices.
Price a kaba and slit
Customer brings the fabric. Lining and thread GH¢20, zip and buttons GH¢10, power GH¢10, your time 4 hours at GH¢20. (1) Cost? (2) Price for a 30% margin? (3) In Tema in 2021 the price was GH¢100–120: is yours reasonable now?
Launch kit
- Photograph your garments for a portfolio.
- Make a WhatsApp catalogue of styles and prices.
- Start an order book: customer, style, measurements card number, price, deposit, date promised, date delivered.
- Write a one-page business plan.
First order
Take one real order, with deposit and a written date, and deliver on time.
Glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bobbin | The small spool of thread under the needle |
| Competent / Not Yet Competent | The two possible results of a CBT assessment |
| Grain | The direction of threads in the fabric |
| Lockstitch | A straight stitch from two interlocking threads |
| Needle guard | A guard that stops fingers going under the needle |
| Overlocker | A machine that trims and finishes raw edges |
| Seam allowance | The fabric between the stitch line and the edge |
| Tension | How tight the threads are |
Logbook
Copy these pages into an exercise book. Your logbook is part of your assessment evidence.
- Unit 1: station set-up checks
- Unit 2: practice sheets; machine care record; prices
- Unit 3: measurement cards; cut pieces
- Unit 4: garments and photos
- Unit 5: quality records; line output
- Unit 6: location report; ten customers
- Unit 7: portfolio; price list; order book
- Every homework, dated
Self-check quiz
- What must you do before threading or changing a needle?
- What chair helps prevent back pain?
- How should you clean lint?
- What does an overlocker do?
- Can you sell printed cloth as Kente?
- Name three things on a quality checklist.
- When does demand for sewing rise?
- Why is finishing on time so important?
- Name three extra income ideas.
- Which social media do Ghanaian fashion firms use most?
Further reading and sources
Best next reads: the YEA garment handbook; the UK HSE page on sewing machines; your machine's manual.
What this module does not cover: pattern drafting and fashion design, embroidery machines, and current Takoradi sewing prices (not found; check locally).
Every source used in this manual is listed, with links, in the Teacher Copy.