What does a sewing machine operator do?
A sewing machine operator works at manufacturing establishments where they are in charge of operating sewing machines to produce garment and non-garment products. Before sewing, they usually meet with clients or managers to discuss and learn project requirements, decide on sewing techniques, and identify other client preferences. Part of their job is to attach buttons and zippers, cut or piece together fabrics, perform alterations on existing garments, and adhere to guidelines and safety policies. There are also times when they must perform maintenance checks on machines and conduct minimal repairs, reporting to managers should there be any complicated issues.
Sewing machine operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real sewing machine operator resumes:
- Observe sewing machine operation to detect defects in stitching and machine malfunction and notify supervisor.
- Set up programs and operate Tajima embroidery machine and create eye catching looks for ladies and gentlemen's garments
- Experience with Tajima 1 , 6 and 8 head machines.
- Secure spools of thread on spindles.
- Sew binding on government issue t-shirts.
- Add stoning to gowns or costumes.
- Work in manufacturing environment, sewing bottom hem of t-shirts.
- Perform minor repairs on Juki sewing machines which decrease downtime.
- Oversee the production of orders, designing, and artwork digitizing.
- Count in stock from warehouse, digitizing, setting up and running the machine.
- Change needles, thread, and replace elastic on machines if it break or run out.
- Experience on blind-stitch, button attachment, bar-tacking, zipper installing, serger, single-needle sewing machine.
- Operate commercial embroidery machines to include designing, customizing and fabricating name patches, department patches and shoulder patches.
- Sew on double needle, serger, plain sew, zigzag, hemmer, binder and inspect.
- Recognize for work done in a sterile environment and utilizing correct safety PPE for surrounding work areas/machinery.
Sewing machine operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Sewing Machine Operators are proficient in Stitching, Industrial Sewing Machines, and Single Needle.
We break down the percentage of Sewing Machine Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Stitching, 12%
Sewed custom medical, zone, and military bags- Observed sewing machine operation to detect defects in stitching or machine malfunction
- Industrial Sewing Machines, 10%
Fabricated material following procurement documents, markings, and patterns utilizing industrial sewing machines.
- Single Needle, 8%
Operated various machines including single needle, over-lock, and surge machines skillfully with an emphasis on quality and quantity.
- Machine Operation, 8%
Adjusted machine performance on material by observing machine operation; detected malfunctions; adjusted settings.
- Safety Rules, 7%
Perform duties in a safe manner and abide by all safety rules, procedures, and policies.
- Machine Malfunctions, 7%
Notified sewing machine mechanic when defects were caused by machine malfunctions.
Common skills that a sewing machine operator uses to do their job include "stitching," "industrial sewing machines," and "single needle." You can find details on the most important sewing machine operator responsibilities below.
The three companies that hire the most sewing machine operators are:
- Shutterfly13 sewing machine operators jobs
- Express Employment Indy South13 sewing machine operators jobs
- Sheridan6 sewing machine operators jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable sewing machine operator resume templates
Build a professional sewing machine operator resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your sewing machine operator resume.
Compare different sewing machine operators
Sewing machine operator vs. Embroiderer
A seamstress designs, repairs, and alters clothing as well as fashion accessories like hats and purses. Your duties and responsibilities may vary depending on your employer, including taking a customer's body measurements to fit clothes to their specifications, constructing garments specified by the customer, and advising customers on the appropriate types of patterns and fabrics that meet their needs. The skills and qualifications for this role include strong sewing skills, knowledge with design and fashion, and creativity.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a sewing machine operator are more likely to require skills like "industrial sewing machines," "single needle," "safety rules," and "machine malfunctions." On the other hand, a job as an embroiderer requires skills like "embroidery machine," "digitizing," "routine maintenance," and "heat press." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Embroiderers tend to reach similar levels of education than sewing machine operators. In fact, embroiderers are 1.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Sewing machine operator vs. Seamstress
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that sewing machine operator responsibilities requires skills like "single needle," "safety rules," "machine malfunctions," and "quality standards." But a seamstress might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "customer service," "punctuality," "inventory control," and "upholstery."
Seamstresses earn a higher average salary than sewing machine operators. But seamstresses earn the highest pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $34,146. Additionally, sewing machine operators earn the highest salaries in the manufacturing with average pay of $34,132 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Seamstresses tend to reach similar levels of education than sewing machine operators. In fact, they're 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Sewing machine operator vs. Industrial sewer
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a sewing machine operator is likely to be skilled in "safety rules," "machine malfunctions," "quality standards," and "oiling," while a typical industrial sewer is skilled in "tape measure," "double needle," "quality inspection," and "safety equipment."
Industrial sewers make a very good living in the automotive industry with an average annual salary of $34,572. On the other hand, sewing machine operators are paid the highest salary in the manufacturing industry, with average annual pay of $34,132.industrial sewers typically earn similar educational levels compared to sewing machine operators. Specifically, they're 2.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Sewing machine operator vs. Tacker
Types of sewing machine operator
Updated January 8, 2025
