What Do Fabric Menders Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Fabric Menders repair tears, holes, and other defects in fabrics, such as draperies, linens, parachutes, and tents. They also check repaired and repacked survival equipment to ensure that it meets specifications.

Other tasks include:

• Measure and hem curtains, garments, and canvas coverings to size, using tape measures.
• Operate sewing machines to restitch defective seams, sew up holes, or replace components of fabric articles.
• Spread out articles or materials and examine them for holes, tears, worn areas, and other defects.
• Stamp grommets into canvas, using mallets and punches or eyelet machines.
• Trim edges of cut or torn fabric, using scissors or knives, and stitch trimmed edges together.
• Patch holes, sew tears and ripped seams, or darn defects in items, using needles and thread or sewing machines.

We asked Fabric Menders how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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78% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 43% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Fabric Menders re-knit runs and replace broken threads, using latch needles. They operate sewing machines to restitch defective seams, sew up holes, or replace components of fabric articles.

A typical day for a Fabric Mender will also include:

• Pull knots to the wrong sides of garments, using hooks.
• Trim edges of cut or torn fabric, using scissors or knives, and stitch trimmed edges together.
• Spread out articles or materials and examine them for holes, tears, worn areas, and other defects.
• Measure and hem curtains, garments, and canvas coverings to size, using tape measures.
• Sew labels and emblems onto articles for identification.

We asked some Fabric Menders a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	74% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	8% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	89% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	3% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	15% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	75% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Fabric Menders also check repaired and repacked survival equipment to ensure that it meets specifications. They may also sew fringe, tassels, and ruffles onto drapes and curtains, and buttons and trimming onto garments.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Fabric Menders Stamp grommets into canvas, using mallets and punches or eyelet machines. They might also Trim edges of cut or torn fabric, using scissors or knives, and stitch trimmed edges together.

In addition, they Clean stains from fabric or garments, using spray guns and cleaning fluid.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Operate sewing machines to restitch defective seams, sew up holes, or replace components of fabric articles.

To some Fabric Menders, it is also their responsibility to Measure and hem curtains, garments, and canvas coverings to size, using tape measures.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Fabric Mender, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes499093.htm