Fabric Mender (excluding Garments)

Other Titles

Custom Canvas Fabricator, Fabric Worker, Hand-Woven Carpet and Rug Mender, Mender, Sail Maker, Sail Repair Person, Seamstress, Tarp Repairer; Craftsman

Repair tears, holes, and other defects in fabrics, such as draperies, linens, parachutes, and tents. Fabric Menders, Except Garments refers to such fabric menders who repair, sew and re-knit a wide range of fabrics. In doing so, they may deal with the holes and tears in linens, tents, draperies and other non-garment fabrics. As a fabric mender, they examine various fabrics to identify the defects and then repair these defects. A part of their job activities involves operating sewing machines and use a wide range of tools such as scissors, knives, mallets, eyelet machines and tape measures. They may also be required to measure and cut various fabrics before repairing their defects.

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.

Check repaired and repacked survival equipment to ensure that it meets specifications.

Sew labels and emblems onto articles for identification.

Repair holes by weaving thread over them, using needles.

Monitoring→ Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Handling and Moving Objects→ Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Getting Information→ Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work→ Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Controlling Machines and Processes→ Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles.

Performing General Physical Activities→ Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates→ Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events→ Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Inspect safety equipment to ensure proper functioning.

Sew materials.

Measure distances or dimensions.

Cut materials according to specifications or needs.

Arm-Hand Steadiness→ The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Manual Dexterity→ The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Finger Dexterity→ The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Multilimb Coordination→ The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

Near Vision→ The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Control Precision→ The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Customer and Personal Service→ Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Production and Processing→ Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Administration and Management→ Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Education and Training→ Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Language→ Knowledge of the structure and content of a language - English, French, Swahili et cetera - including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Clerical→ Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Design→ Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Mechanical→ Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Electronic mail software -- e.g., Microsoft Outlook

Operating system software -- e.g., Apple macOS; Bash; Hewlett Packard HP-UX; Job control language JCL; KornShell; Linux; Microsoft Windows; Oracle Solaris; Red Hat Enterprise Linux; Shell script; Ubuntu; UNIX

Spreadsheet software -- e.g., Corel Quattro Pro; Microsoft Excel; Google Sheets

Word processing software -- e.g., Corel Wordperfect; Microsoft Word; Google Docs

Buttonhole machines→ Eyelet machines

Crochet hooks→ Crocheting hooks

Desktop computers

Fids→ Push fids

Hand sprayers→ Spray guns

Ironing machines or presses→ Industrial steam irons

Personal computers

Power feeder→ Fabric feeders

Sewing machines→ Blind hemmers; Flatlock machines; Lockstitch sewing machines; Overlock sewing machines; Semi-automated sewing machines; Serger sewing machines; Walking foot sewing machines

Sewing needles→ Hand-sewing needles; Sewing machine latch needles

Shears→ Fabric scissors; Fabric shears

Splices or splice plates→ Marlinspikes; Splicing spikes; Splicing wands

Steam pressing machines→ Steam presses

Tape measures→ Measuring tapes

Utility knives

Realistic→ Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Attention to Detail→ Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Independence→ Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

Integrity→ Job requires being honest and ethical.

Dependability→ Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Initiative→ Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Innovation→ Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Cooperation→ Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Concern for Others→ Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Achievement/Effort→ Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence→ Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Self Control→ Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Analytical Thinking→ Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Adaptability/Flexibility→ Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Leadership→ Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Support→ Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Achievement→ Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions→ Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.