Sewing Machine Operators

The work

Core tasks

1. 01Monitor machine operation to detect problems such as defective stitching, breaks in thread, or machine malfunctions.
2. 02Place spools of thread, cord, or other materials on spindles, insert bobbins, and thread ends through machine guides and components.
3. 03Position items under needles, using marks on machines, clamps, templates, or cloth as guides.
4. 04Guide garments or garment parts under machine needles and presser feet to sew parts together.
5. 05Remove holding devices and finished items from machines.
6. 06Match cloth pieces in correct sequences prior to sewing them, and verify that dye lots and patterns match.
7. 07Fold or stretch edges or lengths of items while sewing to facilitate forming specified sections.
8. 08Cut excess material or thread from finished products.
9. 09Select supplies such as fasteners and thread, according to job requirements.
10. 10Examine and measure finished articles to verify conformance to standards, using rulers.
11. 11Start 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.
12. 12Record quantities of materials processed.

Capabilities

Essential skills

Employment outlook

Where the role is heading