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Sewing Machine Operators

Tasks

Core Tasks Include:

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.
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 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.
Remove holding devices and finished items from machines.
Attach tape, trim, appliques, or elastic to specified garments or garment parts, according to item specifications.

Supplemental Tasks Include:

Inspect garments, and examine repair tags and markings on garments to locate defects or damage, and mark errors as necessary.
Cut materials according to specifications, using blades, scissors, or electric knives.
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.
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.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)