Sewing Machine Operators

Career Description: Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.

Industry: Production

Other Job Titles for Sewing Machine Operators:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Monitor machine operation to detect problems such as defective stitching, breaks in thread, or machine malfunctions.
• Position items under needles, using marks on machines, clamps, templates, or cloth as guides.
• Place spools of thread, cord, or other materials on spindles, insert bobbins, and thread ends through machine guides and components.
• Match cloth pieces in correct sequences prior to sewing them, and verify that dye lots and patterns match.
• Guide garments or garment parts under machine needles and presser feet to sew parts together.
• Start and operate or tend machines, such as single or double needle serging and flat-bed felling machines, to automatically join, reinforce, or decorate material or articles.
• Record quantities of materials processed.
• Inspect garments, and examine repair tags and markings on garments to locate defects or damage, and mark errors as necessary.
• Select supplies such as fasteners and thread, according to job requirements.
• Mount attachments, such as needles, cutting blades, or pattern plates, and adjust machine guides according to specifications.
• Cut excess material or thread from finished products.
• Fold or stretch edges or lengths of items while sewing, in order to facilitate forming specified sections.
• Perform equipment maintenance tasks such as replacing needles, sanding rough areas of needles, or cleaning and oiling sewing machines.
• Examine and measure finished articles to verify conformance to standards, using rulers.
• Turn knobs, screws, and dials to adjust settings of machines, according to garment styles and equipment performance.
• Repair or alter items by adding replacement parts or missing stitches.
• Cut materials according to specifications, using blades, scissors, or electric knives.
• Remove holding devices and finished items from machines.
• Position and mark patterns on materials to prepare for sewing.
• Position material or articles in clamps, templates, or hoop frames prior to automatic operation of machines.
• Attach tape, trim, appliques, or elastic to specified garments or garment parts, according to item specifications.
• Perform specialized or automatic sewing machine functions, such as buttonhole making or tacking.
• Attach buttons, hooks, zippers, fasteners, or other accessories to fabric, using feeding hoppers or clamp holders.
• Baste edges of material to align and temporarily secure parts for final assembly.
• Tape or twist together thread or cord to repair breaks.
• Draw markings or pin appliques on fabric to obtain variations in design.
• Thin printing compounds, using specified thinners.
• Maintain records of goods produced, supplies used, production costs, and machine maintenance and repair activities.
• Attach cloth to take-up rollers, placing it in feeding position and threading it through equipment as necessary.
• Requisition supplies, materials, and equipment and receive stock.
• Pack and label cartons, boxes, or bins of finished products.
• Provide assistance in the design and layout of forms and materials to be printed.
• Place spools of thread or wire on holders, and thread through machines.
• Apply glue or tape to holes in screens to repair leaks.
• Clean workpieces, using wire brushes.
• Install gears and holding devices on conveyor equipment.
• Operate sandblasting equipment to roughen and clean surfaces of workpieces.
• Cut metal or other materials, using shears or band saws.
• Charge furnaces.
• Chase decorative designs on silver blanks that are to be used as models for steel production dies.

Emerging Tasks

• Fit garments on clients, altering as needed.
• Perform "preflight" check of required font, graphic, text and image files to ensure completeness prior to delivery to printer.
• Proofread and perform quality control of text and images.
• Mix and apply glazes to pottery pieces using tools such as spray guns.
• Operate gas or electric kilns to fire pottery pieces.
• Pack and ship pottery to stores or galleries for retail.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• adjust production equipment/machinery setup
• clean equipment or machinery
• cut or trim fabric or leather
• examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
• install equipment or attachments on machinery or related structures
• load or unload material or workpiece into machinery
• maintain consistent production quality
• maintain production or work records
• monitor production machinery/equipment operation to detect problems
• operate sewing machine
• perform safety inspections in manufacturing or industrial setting
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• repair tears or defects in fabrics, garments, or leather products
• sew by hand
• use hand or power tools
• use portable electric fabric cutter
• operate food processing production equipment/machinery
• operate metal or plastic fabricating equipment/machinery
• operate pulp or paper making equipment
• operate textile production equipment/machinery
• operate water treatment equipment
• perform safety inspections in manufacturing or industrial setting
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• set up production equipment or machinery
• signal directions or warnings to coworkers
• test manufactured products or materials
• use hand or power tools
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
• use x-ray or magnetic inspection techniques
• process photographic prints
• read production layouts
• read specifications
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• receive customer orders
• restore photographs
• retouch negatives or prints
• set page layout or composition
• set up production equipment or machinery
• strip negatives
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use color analyzer
• use densitometer
• use desktop publishing software
• use hand or power tools
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• record test results, test procedures, or inspection data
• sort manufacturing materials or products
• test manufactured products or materials
• understand engineering data or reports
• understand measuring devices
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use hazardous materials information
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use knowledge of metric system
• use long or short term production planning techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use quality assurance techniques
• use research methodology procedures within manufacturing or commerce
• use spreadsheet software
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• use x-ray or magnetic inspection techniques

Overall Experience
No previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, a person can become a cashier even if he/she has never worked before.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few days to a few months of training. Usually, an experienced worker could show you how to do the job.

Education
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Some may require a formal training course to obtain a license.

Examples
These occupations involve following instructions and helping others. Examples include taxi drivers, amusement and recreation attendants, counter and rental clerks, cashiers, and waiters/waitresses.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$9.31
• Average annual wage (2007) - $19,370.00

• Employment (2006): 232,810

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• Fabric Menders, Except Garment
• Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Prepress Technicians and Workers
• Printing Machine Operators
• Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
• Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders
• Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing