State of Maryland

A Custom Sewer is the full performance level of work sewing, mending  and altering garments, linens and other items in a State facility.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees receive general supervision from a Linen Service Supervisor or other supervisory position.  Work requires the use of industrial sewing machines and other sewing-related equipment. Employees may be required to wear  protective equipment such as goggles, gloves and masks when handling soiled laundry to prevent contamination and spread of disease. The work may require moving heavy and bulky bolts of fabric and laundry bags.

Positions in this classification are evaluated using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work Sections of the class specification.

Operates, adjusts and maintains industrial sewing machines and buttonhole, gripper, blindstitch, serging, hemming, cutting and other sewing-related equipment;

Sews, alters and repairs a wide variety and volume of clothing and other items for use at a facility such as nightshirts, bibs, dresses, suits, aprons, towels, sheets, blankets, window coverings, medical restraints and mail and laundry bags;

Fashions towels, curtains, draperies, quilts, pillows and sofa and automobile seat covers from bolts of heavy fabric;

Constructs clothing and other items by designing patterns, marking fabrics based on patterns, cutting material with manual or power scissors according to specifications, basting, sewing and finishing items;

Labels garments and linens by using a stamp or marking machine;

Measures and constructs clothing and other items to meet the specialized needs of individual residents;

Makes alterations and repairs to clothing, blankets and linens;

Cleans lint, dust and dirt from work areas;

May collect, bag and weigh soiled laundry and sort, fold and fill requisitions for clean laundry;

May take inventory and maintain records of supplies, garments and linens;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the methods, materials and equipment used in production sewing and mending work;

Knowledge of the proper use, operation, adjustment, maintenance and safety precautions for industrial sewing machines and other power and manual sewing-related equipment;

Ability to measure, alter, fit and sew clothing and other items;

Ability to design and layout patterns used in the assembly and construction of a variety of clothing and other items;

Ability to sort, fold, label and distribute clean laundry;

Ability to collect, bag and weigh soiled laundry;

Ability to follow instructions when measuring, constructing and repairing clothing and linens.

Education:   None.

Experience: One year of experience operating industrial sewing machines, six months of which must have included sewing, repairing and altering clothing and linens.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically addresses the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit A, Labor and Trades classes.  As provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.   An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.