Job Overview
We often wonder about the effort that goes into making the clothes we wear.
From the people who manufacture threads to the ones that sew pieces of cloth together to create unique dresses and shirts, everybody plays an important part.
Sewing machine operators operate and tend sewing machines in order to perform garment sewing operations.
It includes joining, reinforcing, and decorating garments or parts of garments.
Sewing machine operators handle work on a large scale as they are required to operate and tend to industrial machinery.
They mount attachments such as needles and pattern blades and adjust machines according to the specifications provided to them.
Sewing machine operators also adjust machine controls and regulate stitching speeds for every sewing project that they work on.
It is essential for sewing machine operators to possess in-depth knowledge of sewing machines and the garments industry.
They also need to have sound hand-eye coordination and be able to cope with moderate physical effort.
Sewing Machine Operator Duties and Responsibilities
• Refer to orders for sewing garments and select appropriate materials
• Ensure that all materials and auxiliary supplies are available before beginning work
• Start sewing machinery at the beginning of a shift and test it for proper functionality
• Address any discrepancies or problems faced during the testing period
• Draw threads through needles and adjust machine functions to meet the requirements of the sewing project
• Position materials under needles to sew them together or make patterns
• Replace and rethread needles for a subsequent project, or in case of the existing one needs more thread
• Sew missing stitches or replacement parts in accordance to repair instructions provided
• Observe operations to detect any faults or defects in stitching
• Notify supervisors of any problems or discrepancies during the sewing process
• Attach button, grips, hooks, and fasteners to finished garments
• Attach elastic or tape to garments as specified in the work order
• Ensure that the finished product conforms to the design and merchandising instructions provided in the work order
• Ensure that excess material or threads are cut away from the finished product
• Trim finished garments using scissors and cutters
• Perform general and preventative maintenance tasks on sewing machines to ensure their longevity
• Examine finished clothes for compliance and ensure that appropriate tags are sewed on them
• Count the number of garments stitched during a shift and record this information in company-provided logs