Machine Operators in Textile, Fabric, Fur, and Leather Manufacturing

Nature of work

This group includes those who operate machines used in making clothing, fur, and leather products. They are employed by textile companies, leather tanning and fur dressing establishments and garment, fur and leather products manufacturers.

Job duties

Machine operators and related workers perform some or all of the following duties:

• Operate spinning, twisting, winding or reeling machines; and operate a variety of machines to bleach, dye, coat or finish fabric, thread, yarn or other textile products.
• Operate machines or use hand and powered cutting knives to remove unnecessary particles from hides, skins or pelts; shave or polish hides; and shear fur or wool hides to produce pelts with hair of specified or uniform lengths.
• Mix dyes or chemicals according to established formulas.
• Oversee work area, examine products for defects and ensure adherence to quality standards.
• Investigate machine stoppages and notify supervisor or mechanic in the event of equipment malfunction.
• May set up machines and assist with maintenance and minor repairs to machinery.

Fabric, fur, and leather cutters perform some or all of the following duties:

• Place patterns on top of layers of fabric and cut fabric following patterns, using electric or manual knives, cutters or computer numerically controlled (CNC) cutting devices.
• Adjust cutting technique to type of fabric and style of garment.
• Cut fur skins in diagonal strips to specified length and shape of pelt using furrier's knives and cutters.
• Number pelts to indicate their location on pattern.
• Select leather and cutting dies for leather goods and shoe parts according to specifications.
• Position leather on cutting bed of machine, maximizing usage according to skin grain, skin flaws and skin stretch.
• Operate clicker or punch press to stretch leather.
• Operate machine to cut leather or cut single leather skins by hand to make leather products.
• May cut materials samples.

Inspectors and graders in this group perform some or all of the following duties:

• Examine natural, synthetic and hybrid textile, fabric, fur and leather garments or products for conformity to quality standards.
• Inspect and grade animal hides and pelts according to size, condition and weight.
• Verify fit or size of finished garments and products by measuring or comparing products with samples and patterns.
• Mark defects, repair minor imperfections, cut excess materiel using scissors, and remove lint and spots using brushes, lint removers and cleaning solutions.
• Grade and sort finished products and tag according to size, style and quality.
• Record information on products inspected.
• May package products.

Sample job titles

• cloth mender
• clothing cutter - clothing manufacturing
• fur grader
• garment marker
• hide and pelt processing worker
• loom weaver
• quality control tester - textiles
• rug weaver
• sewing machine operator
• textile-dyeing and finishing machine operator

Skills

To work in these jobs, you should be responsible, alert, and in good physical health. Coordination, agility, and a mechanical aptitude are important. You must also be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

• Completion of high school is usually required.
• On-the-job training is usually provided.
• Supervisory positions in textile processing usually requires completion of a college program in textiles, chemistry or a related subject.

Other considerations

Shift work may be typical for many of these jobs. Previous experience as a labourer in the same company may be required for some operators in this group. While there is some level of mobility among jobs in this grouping, this can be limited due to differences in machines and products. Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience and sometimes additional training or education in some jobs.

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