Sewing Machine Operators
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  Careers / Sewing Machine Operators  
       
 
Summary Description
Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.
 
Sample Job Titles

1.

Appliquer

2.

Apron Operator

3.

Armhole Sewer

4.

Automat Watcher

5.

Automatic Folder-Seamer

6.

Automatic Hemmer

7.

Automatic Serging Machine Operator

8.

Automatic Shirring Machine Operator

9.

Automatic Trimming Sewer

10.

Back Facer

11.

Bag Maker

12.

Bag Mender

13.

Band Maker

14.

Bander

15.

Bar Tacker Sewing Machine

16.

Bartacker

17.

Baster

18.

Basting Machine Operator

19.

Bathing Suit Maker

20.

Bead Worker Sewing

21.

Belt Loop Machine Operator

22.

Belt Maker

23.

Belt Sewer

24.

Binder

25.

Binding Stitcher

26.

Blind Stitch Machine Operator

27.

Blindstitch Hemmer

28.

Blindstitch Lapel Padder

29.

Blindstitch Lining Feller

30.

Blindstitch Machine Operator

31.

Border Machine Operator

32.

Borderer

33.

Bouffant Curtain Machine Tender

34.

Bow Maker

35.

Box Spring Sewer

36.

Braider

37.

Braiding Machine Operator

38.

Brim Stitcher

39.

Buckle Sewer

40.

Button Sewer

41.

Button Sewing Machine Operator

42.

Buttonhole and Button Sewing Machine Operator

43.

Buttonhole Facer

44.

Buttonhole Machine Operator

45.

Buttonhole Maker

46.

Buttonholer

47.

Canvas Baster

48.

Cap Maker

49.

Cap Sewer

50.

Capper

51.

Carpet Sewer

52.

Carpet Sewing Machine Operator

53.

Casing Sewer

54.

Chainstitch Binder

55.

Chainstitch Elastic Attacher

56.

Chainstitch Felled Seam Operator

57.

Chainstitch Hemmer

58.

Chainstitch Pants Outseamer

59.

Chainstitch Seat Joiner

60.

Chainstitch Sewing Machine Operator

61.

Chainstitch Tunnel Elastic Operator

62.

Chainstitch Zipper Setter

63.

Chenille Machine Operator

64.

Cloth Mender

65.

Coat Feller

66.

Coat Finisher

67.

Coat Joiner

68.

Coat Operator

69.

Collar Baster

70.

Collar Feller

71.

Collar Maker

72.

Collar Runner

73.

Collar Setter

74.

Collar Sewer

75.

Collar Stitcher

76.

Complete Garment Lockstitch Sewing Machine Operator

77.

Complete Garment Overlock Machine Operator

78.

Computer Stitcher

79.

Cone Sewer

80.

Cord Sewer

81.

Corset Maker

82.

Cover Seamer

83.

Cover Stitch Machine Operator

84.

Covering Machine Operator

85.

Coverstitch Binder

86.

Coverstitch Elastic Attacher

87.

Coverstitch Machine Operator

88.

Crotch Piece Baster

89.

Cuff Maker

90.

Cuff Runner

91.

Cuff Setter

92.

Cuff Sewer

93.

Cuff Stitcher

94.

Cuffer

95.

Cuffing Machine Operator

96.

Curtain Sewer

97.

Curtain Stitcher

98.

Cushion Sewer

99.

Custom T-Shirt Embroidery Machine Operator

100.

Cutter

101.

Doll Wig Maker

102.

Double Head Machine Operator

103.

Double Needle Operator

104.

Double Needle Stitcher

105.

Drapery Maker

106.

Drapery Operator

107.

Drapery Seamstress

108.

Dress Finisher

109.

Dress Fitter

110.

Dress Operator

111.

Dressmaker

112.

Dressmaker Helper

113.

Edge Cutting Machine Operator

114.

Edgestay Seamstress

115.

Embroiderer

116.

Embroidery Finisher

117.

Embroidery Machine Operator

118.

Embroidery Worker

119.

Facer

120.

Facing Baster

121.

Fagoter

122.

Fancy Needleworker

123.

Fastener Sewing Machine Operator

124.

Felled Seam Operator

125.

Feller Hand

126.

Feller Machine Operator

127.

Feller Seam Operator

128.

Felling Machine Operator

129.

Finisher

130.

Flag Maker

131.

Flap Maker

132.

Flat Bed Operator

133.

Flat Lock Machine Operator

134.

Flat Lock Operator

135.

Flat Locker

136.

Flatlock Sewing Machine Operator

137.

Flosser

138.

Flower Cheniller

139.

Fly Maker

140.

Folder Seamer

141.

Front Edger

142.

Front Facer

143.

Front Maker

144.

Fur Coat Sewer

145.

Fur Finisher

146.

Fur Machine Operator

147.

Fur Operator

148.

Fur Sewer

149.

Garment Finisher

150.

Garment Liner

151.

Garment Mender

152.

Garment Sewing Machine Operator

153.

Gatherer

154.

Glove Cuffer

155.

Glove Machine Operator

156.

Glove Maker

157.

Glove Operator

158.

Glove Sewer

159.

Glove Stitcher

160.

Gore Maker

161.

Gore Seamer

162.

Gusset Edger

163.

Gusset Stitcher

164.

Handbag Finisher

165.

Handbag Stitcher

166.

Handkerchief Maker

167.

Handstitching Machine Armhole Feller

168.

Handstitching Machine Collar Feller

169.

Hat and Cap Sewer

170.

Hat Binder

171.

Hat Liner

172.

Hat Trimmer

173.

Hemmer

174.

Hemming and Tacking Machine Operator

175.

Hemstitcher

176.

Hemstitching Machine Operator

177.

Hook and Eye Machine Operator

178.

Hose Mender

179.

Hose Seamer

180.

Hosiery Operator

181.

Hosiery Repairer

182.

Industrial Sewer

183.

Interlocking Machine Operator

184.

Jumpbasting Armhole Baster

185.

Jumpbasting Canvas Baster

186.

Jumpbasting Collar Baster

187.

Jumpbasting Facing Baster

188.

Jumpbasting Lining Baster

189.

Jumpbasting Machine Operator

190.

Knotter

191.

Label Maker

192.

Label Sewer

193.

Lace Mender

194.

Lace Sewer

195.

Ladies Suit Operator

196.

Ladies Underwear Operator

197.

Lapel Padder

198.

Lapel Stitcher

199.

Lapeler

200.

Levi Maker

201.

Line Closer

202.

Liner

203.

Lining Baster

204.

Lining Feller

205.

Lining Maker

206.

Lining Setter

207.

Lockstitch Armhole Sew and Trim Operator

208.

Lockstitch Back Maker

209.

Lockstitch Binder

 

210.

Lockstitch Coat Joiner

211.

Lockstitch Collar Setter

212.

Lockstitch Cup Setter

213.

Lockstitch Front Edge Tape Sewer

214.

Lockstitch Front Maker

215.

Lockstitch Hemmer

216.

Lockstitch Lining Maker

217.

Lockstitch Lining Setter

218.

Lockstitch Machine Operator

219.

Lockstitch Pocket Setter

220.

Lockstitch Shoulder Joiner

221.

Lockstitch Sleeve Maker

222.

Lockstitch Sleeve Setter

223.

Lockstitch Topstitcher

224.

Lockstitch Tunnel Elastic Operator

225.

Lockstitch Waistband Setter

226.

Lockstitch Waistline Joiner

227.

Lockstitch Zipper Setter

228.

Lockstitcher

229.

Loop Sewer

230.

Loop Tacker

231.

Machine Baster

232.

Machine Fancy Stitcher

233.

Machine Feller

234.

Machine Stitcher

235.

Match Up Person

236.

Mender

237.

Mitten Sewer

238.

Monogram Machine Operator

239.

Monogram Maker

240.

Monogram Operator

241.

Monogram Technician

242.

Multi Needle Machine Operator

243.

Multineedle Chainstitch Machine Operator

244.

Neck Band Maker

245.

Neck Band Operator

246.

Neck Band Setter

247.

Necktie Centralizing Machine Operator

248.

Necktie Maker

249.

Needleworker

250.

Non-Garment Sewing Machine Operator

251.

Nylon Mender

252.

Ornament Stitcher

253.

Ottoman Sewer

254.

Overcaster

255.

Overedge Machine Operator

256.

Overedge Sewer

257.

Overedger

258.

Overlock Collar Setter

259.

Overlock Elastic Attacher

260.

Overlock Hemmer

261.

Overlock Operator

262.

Overlock Sewing Machine Operator

263.

Overlock Sleeve Setter

264.

Overlock Waistline Joiner

265.

Overlocker

266.

Overseamer

267.

Padder

268.

Pantograph Watcher

269.

Pants Maker

270.

Paper Bags Sewing Machine Operator

271.

Peak Maker

272.

Picked-Edge Sewing Machine Operator

273.

Pillowcase Maker

274.

Pinked Edge Sewing Machine Operator

275.

Pinking Sewing Machine Operator

276.

Piped Pocket Machine Operator

277.

Piper

278.

Plaiter

279.

Plastic Sewer

280.

Pleater

281.

Pocket Closer

282.

Pocket Finisher

283.

Pocket Hemmer

284.

Pocket Maker

285.

Pocket Operator

286.

Pocket Setter

287.

Pocket Stitcher

288.

Pocket Tacker

289.

Pockets and Pieces Necktie Operator

290.

Pointer

291.

Power Sewing Machine Operator

292.

Profile Stitching Machine Operator

293.

Purler

294.

Quilt Maker

295.

Quilter

296.

Quilting Machine Operator

297.

Reinforcement Maker

298.

Reinforcer

299.

Rejoiner

300.

Repair Operator

301.

Roll Edge Machine Operator

302.

Roll or Tape Edge Machine Operator

303.

Rooter Operator

304.

Ruffling Machine Operator

305.

Sack Maker

306.

Sack Repairer

307.

Sack Sewer

308.

Saddle Tree Stitcher

309.

Sample Maker

310.

Seam Feller

311.

Seam Finisher

312.

Seam Sewer

313.

Seamer

314.

Seamstress

315.

Seat Cover Maker

316.

Seat Joiner

317.

Semiautomatic Sewing Machine Operator

318.

Serger

319.

Serging Machine Operator

320.

Sew On Operator

321.

Sewer

322.

Sewer and Inspector

323.

Sewing Machine Operator

324.

Sewing Machine Operator Floorperson

325.

Sewing Operator

326.

Sewing Trimmer

327.

Shape and Tape Operator

328.

Shirrer

329.

Shirring Machine Operator

330.

Shirt Bander

331.

Shirt Closer

332.

Shirt Hemmer

333.

Shirt Maker

334.

Shirt Operator

335.

Shirt Sewer

336.

Shoulder Joiner

337.

Skirt Maker

338.

Skirt Sewer

339.

Sleeve Facing Sewer

340.

Sleeve Fixer

341.

Sleeve Lining Tacker

342.

Sleeve Maker

343.

Sleeve Setter

344.

Sleeve Sewer

345.

Sleever

346.

Slip Cover Operator

347.

Slip Cover Seamstress

348.

Slip Cover Sewer

349.

Smocker

350.

Sock Mender

351.

Special Equipment Sewing Machine Operator

352.

Splicing Machine Operator

353.

Stitch Bonding Machine Operator

354.

Stitch Bonding Machine Tender

355.

Stitcher

356.

Stitching Machine Operator

357.

Strap Maker

358.

Strap Sewer

359.

Stripe Matcher

360.

Suspender Maker

361.

Sweat Band Sewer

362.

Tacker

363.

Tacking Machine Operator

364.

Tailor

365.

Tape Edge Machine Operator

366.

Tape Sewer

367.

Taping Machine Operator

368.

Tents Assembler

369.

Textile Bag Sewer

370.

Tie Maker

371.

Toe Closing Machine Tender

372.

Top Collar Baster

373.

Top Collar Maker

374.

Top Stitcher

375.

Topstitcher

376.

Toss Pillow Sewer

377.

Towel Hemmer

378.

Truss Maker

379.

Tucker

380.

Tucking Machine Operator

381.

Two Needle Machine Operator

382.

Ultrasonic Seaming Machine Operator

383.

Under Baster

384.

Undercollar Maker

385.

Underliner

386.

Underwear Finisher

387.

Underwear Hemmer

388.

Underwear Trimmer

389.

Underwear Welter

390.

Uniform Maker

391.

Upholstery Sewer

392.

Utility Operator

393.

Vamper

394.

Vest Backer

395.

Vest Baster

396.

Vest Finisher

397.

Waist Fitter

398.

Waistband Setter

399.

Waistline Joiner

400.

Welt Maker

401.

Welt Sewer

402.

Welt Stitcher

403.

Welter

404.

Whip Stitcher

405.

Window Shade Ring Sewer

406.

Yoke Setter

407.

Yoker

408.

Yoker Machine Operator

409.

Zigzag Appliquer

410.

Zigzag Elastic Attacher

411.

Zigzag Machine Operator

412.

Zigzag Stitcher

413.

Zigzag Topstitcher

414.

Zigzag Tunnel Elastic Operator

415.

Zigzagger

416.

Zipper Setter

417.

Zipper Sewer

418.

Zipper Sewing Machine Operator

 
Job Tasks

Monitor machine operation to detect problems such as defective stitching, breaks in thread, or machine malfunctions.

  • Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.

Position items under needles, using marks on machines, clamps, templates, or cloth as guides.

  • Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.

Place spools of thread, cord, or other materials on spindles, insert bobbins, and thread ends through machine guides and components.

  • Load materials into production equipment.
  • Feed materials or products into or through equipment.

Match cloth pieces in correct sequences prior to sewing them, and verify that dye lots and patterns match.

  • Compare physical characteristics of materials or products to specifications or standards.

Guide garments or garment parts under machine needles and presser feet to sew parts together.

  • Maneuver workpieces in equipment during production.

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.

  • Operate sewing equipment.

Record quantities of materials processed.

  • Record operational or production data.

Inspect garments, and examine repair tags and markings on garments to locate defects or damage, and mark errors as necessary.

  • Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.
  • Inspect garments for defects, damage, or stains.

Select supplies such as fasteners and thread, according to job requirements.

  • Select production input materials.

Mount attachments, such as needles, cutting blades, or pattern plates, and adjust machine guides according to specifications.

  • Operate sewing equipment.
  • Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.

Cut excess material or thread from finished products.

  • Trim excess material from workpieces.

Fold or stretch edges or lengths of items while sewing to facilitate forming specified sections.

  • Adjust fabrics or other materials during garment production.

Cut materials according to specifications, using blades, scissors, or electric knives.

  • Cut fabrics.

Perform equipment maintenance tasks such as replacing needles, sanding rough areas of needles, or cleaning and oiling sewing machines.

  • Clean production equipment.
  • Maintain production or processing equipment.
  • Replace worn equipment components.

Remove holding devices and finished items from machines.

  • Remove accessories, tools, or other parts from equipment.
  • Remove products or workpieces from production equipment.

Examine and measure finished articles to verify conformance to standards, using rulers.

  • Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.

Position and mark patterns on materials to prepare for sewing.

  • Position patterns on equipment, materials, or workpieces.
  • Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.

Turn knobs, screws, and dials to adjust settings of machines, according to garment styles and equipment performance.

  • Operate sewing equipment.

Position material or articles in clamps, templates, or hoop frames prior to automatic operation of machines.

  • Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.

Attach tape, trim, appliques, or elastic to specified garments or garment parts, according to item specifications.

  • Attach decorative or functional accessories to products.

Perform specialized or automatic sewing machine functions, such as buttonhole making or tacking.

  • Operate sewing equipment.

Repair or alter items by adding replacement parts or missing stitches.

  • Repair textiles or apparel.

Attach buttons, hooks, zippers, fasteners, or other accessories to fabric, using feeding hoppers or clamp holders.

  • Attach decorative or functional accessories to products.

Baste edges of material to align and temporarily secure parts for final assembly.

  • Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly.

Tape or twist together thread or cord to repair breaks.

  • Repair textiles or apparel.

Draw markings or pin appliques on fabric to obtain variations in design.

  • Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.
 
Work Activities
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
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.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
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.
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.
Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
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.
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
 
 
     
 
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