You could do a college course to learn some of the skills needed for this job. 

Courses include:

• sewing machine skills
• fashion and textiles
• design and craft

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You could apply to a manufacturing company for an apprenticeship, such as:

• Sewing Machinist Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Garment Maker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

This may be helpful if you want to get into other skilled work like sample machining and knitwear production.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

You could apply directly to work as a sewing machinist. Employers would normally expect you to have basic sewing machine skills and the ability to read and understand written pattern instructions. Most companies would ask you to take a practical test at the interview.

Experience of using different types of industrial sewing or knitting machines may give you an advantage.

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with your hands
• concentration skills
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to analyse quality or performance
• the ability to work on your own
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

As a sewing machinist, you would:

• follow a set of instructions for each job
• use different yarns and fabrics, like cotton, wool or industrial textiles
• change machine settings and needles for different jobs
• stitch together clothes, product samples, upholstery or other items
• check finished work against the pattern instructions
• carry out quality control checks
• clean and oil machines

You could work in a factory, in a creative studio or from home.

Your working environment may be noisy.