Come on a journey with Jo-AMI - to Shima Seiki HQ!
Last week I was at Shima Seiki Head Quarters in Castle Donington, completing a week's worth of training for my role as knitwear developer at the Knitshop Scotland and Donna Wilson 💟 I was so grateful for the opportunity to do further training and couldn't wait to learn more and build on my skills.
INNOVATE, DESIGN & CREATE
This training course really opened my eyes to all the possibilities of knitwear and just how innovative we can be with our designs. It has inspired me to keep pushing my designs and think of how knitwear can be so much more than just a piece of clothing.
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.Shima Seiki are at the forefront of knitting technology and produce a large range of computerised knitting machines that can perform so many different things - it's amazing and really does make my brain go into over drive! I loved hearing about new advances in the machines and how the industry is developing. It was interesting to hear how a lot of the industry are investing in wholegarment technology and machines that can knit garments in one as a whole, with no seams. This production method creates a comfortable piece, minimises construction time and therefore tries to keep garment cost lower.
It was also interesting to note that manufacturers were opting for wholegarment machines as there is a shortage of trained linkers. Linkers are specialised workers that link the garment panels together on a linking machine. I link all my designs together, but it is sad to hear that it is a dying art. If you have followed Jo-AMI for a while now, you will know that I am extremely passionate about showing every design’s process and production journey and so I will always celebrate the art of linking and try to encourage people like myself into the industry to keep it alive!
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On the course I learnt how to programme using a complex method that gives you full control over the designs that you are programming and knitting, from tension and speed control to pattern placement and stitch technique. I also programmed and knitted different stitches, pattern swatches, garment shapes and learnt so much more technical information on how to operate the software and machines.
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It was such a great experience, so interesting and inspiring and I am super excited to put my learning into practice! How you enjoyed this insight into my training!