1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Sample machinist

Sample machinist

Sample machinists make samples of garments to show designers or customers how finished items will look.

Average salary (a year)

£15,000 Starter

to

£30,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

9am to 5pm

How to become a sample machinist

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

College

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant courses include:

  • Level 1 Award in Fashion - Sewing Machine Skills
  • Level 1 Certificate in Fashion and Textiles

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G) for a level 1 course

More information

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through a sewing machinist intermediate apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More information

Work

You would usually move into this job after getting experience as a sewing machinist on a production line.

Direct application

Although there are no set entry requirements for applying for this job directly, employers would expect you to have literacy and numeracy skills to read instructions and understand measurements.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work on your own
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
  • observation and recording skills
  • the ability to operate and control equipment
  • being able to use a computer terminal or hand-held device may be beneficial for this job.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

  • checking all pattern pieces are present to start a job
  • following fabric, colour and size instructions from the designer and pattern cutter
  • using industrial machines like overlockers and binders
  • stitching sections together and adding labels to them
  • pressing the garment to give it a 'finished' appearance
  • advising the design team about the best way to construct the sample
  • discussing any 'tweaks' to the design instructions before the item goes into production
  • carrying out quality control checks during a production run
  • helping other machinists during busy periods
  • working directly with customers who supply their own design details

Working environment

You could work in a studio, in a workshop or from home.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could move on to higher-level technical roles, like garment technologist or quality control technician.

You could also move into clothing design.

Training opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Sewing Machinist

  • Wage : Competitive salary
  • Location: Leeds LS12 3AL
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Creative Fashion Machinist Skills for Fashion and Textiles

  • Provider: CITY OF LIVERPOOL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 20 March 2019
  • Location: LIVERPOOL

BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Fashion and Textiles (TOP-UP)

  • Provider: WALSALL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 09 September 2019
  • Location: WALSALL
Find courses near you

Related careers

Get help using this service

Call 0800 100 900 or use webchat

8am to 10pm, 7 days a week

More ways to contact us

Is this page useful?

Yes No