Sewing Machine Operators

Sample Maker, Seamstress, Sewer, Sewing Machine Operator

What they do:
Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.
On the job, you would:
  • Monitor machine operation to detect problems such as defective stitching, breaks in thread, or machine malfunctions.
  • Place spools of thread, cord, or other materials on spindles, insert bobbins, and thread ends through machine guides and components.
  • Position items under needles, using marks on machines, clamps, templates, or cloth as guides.

Knowledge

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

  • manufacture and distribution of products

Skills

Basic Skills

  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Hand and Finger Use

  • keep your arm or hand steady
  • hold or move items with your hands

Controlled Movement

  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
  • change when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Cooperation
  • Self Control
  • Independence

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology

Electronic mail software

  • Email software
  • Microsoft Outlook Hot Technology

Office suite software

  • Microsoft Office software Hot Technology

Education

Education: (rated 1 of 5)
no high school diploma/GED or
high school diploma/GED
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
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