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51-6031.00 · Task explorer

Sewing Machine Operators: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.

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This source lists 26 tasks, including 17 marked Core and 9 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 07/2017.

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26 tasks shown

Core · Task 12149 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

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

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Core · Task 12151 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

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

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Core · Task 12150 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

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

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Core · Task 12153 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

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

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Core · Task 12166 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Remove holding devices and finished items from machines.

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Core · Task 12152 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

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

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Core · Task 12160 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

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

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Core · Task 12159 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Cut excess material or thread from finished products.

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Core · Task 12157 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

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

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Core · Task 12162 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

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

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Core · Task 12154 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

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.

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Core · Task 12155 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Record quantities of materials processed.

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Core · Task 12163 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

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

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Core · Task 12169 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

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

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Core · Task 12164 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

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

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Core · Task 12161 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

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

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Core · Task 12158 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

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

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Supplemental · Task 12165 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

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

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Supplemental · Task 12156 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

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

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Supplemental · Task 12171 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

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

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Supplemental · Task 12168 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

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

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Supplemental · Task 12174 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

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

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Supplemental · Task 12173 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Tape or twist together thread or cord to repair breaks.

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Supplemental · Task 12172 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

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

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Supplemental · Task 12167 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Position and mark patterns on materials to prepare for sewing.

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Supplemental · Task 12170 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

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

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Make the shortlist useful

Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

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Download before leaving this page. Unsaved writing remains only in the page and is cleared on refresh. Notes and learning actions are not sent to a server. This guide describes an occupation and supports study planning; it does not provide clinical, legal or equipment-operating procedures.

Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.