Level 2 Apprenticeship Sewing Machinist

EDWARD TAYLOR TEXTILES LTD

BLACKBURN (BB1 5PF)

Closes on Friday 14 August 2026

Posted on 8 July 2026

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Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the business if you have passion for product design and composition. We are currently seeking a diligent individual who is eager to learn about the business’s product development division.

• Wage:

  £15,392 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

  National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

• Training course: Sewing machinist (level 2)
• Hours: 9.00am - 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

  37 hours a week

• Start date:

  Tuesday 1 September 2026

• Duration:

  1 year 3 months

• Positions available:

  1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

• Initial pattern drafting from a garment (prior experience would be great)
• How to measure an item of clothing in relation to specification charts
• Creating charts with size specifications and grading rules
• Regularly interacting with clients and informing them of product developments
• Learning about the manufacturing process of clothing and best practices, including using machinery to stitch garments together, to gain an overall knowledge of manufacturing processes
• Configuring Tech Packs for clothing production
• Proficiency in Excel and Adobe Illustrator would be ideal
• Acquiring knowledge of the various materials utilised in sportswear
• Acquiring an overall view and understanding of all aspects of a product developer’s role

Where you'll work

PERCLIFF WAY
PHILIPS ROAD
BLACKBURN
BB1 5PF

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

BLACKBURN COLLEGE

Training course

Sewing machinist (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Follow work instructions for example, specifications, standard operating procedures, and specific instructions.
• Organise resources for example, equipment, components, and tools.
• Check working environment for hazards.
• Apply safe working practices including guards, seat positioning, safety clothing, and manual handling.
• Apply sustainability principles for example, minimise energy usage and waste.
• Identify and segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and disposal.
• Lay out equipment, components, and resources.
• Inspect cut or pre-sewn components before sewing; identify and resolve issues.
• Select and insert needles.
• Select thread.
• Fill and insert spool and thread a sewing machine.
• Select the sewing machine settings.
• Conduct sewing machine test run for example, pre-production, following threading up, adjustments, or maintenance.
• Make sewing machine adjustments for example, stitch tension.
• Operate, monitor, and control a sewing machine for example, lockstitch, linker, blind hemmer, overlocker, cup seam, and coverstitch machine.
• Control material feed.
• Conduct quality checks.
• Identify needle damage.
• Identify and resolve sewing issues for example, skip stitch, lose stitch, or pucker stitch.
• Follow post-production procedure for example, re-bundle, bag up, and attach work ticket.
• Enter information to track work process for example, work dockets, documentation, or electronic tracking system.
• Select maintenance tools.
• Remove and replace sewing machine parts for example, the presser foot, throat plate, spool, and spool case.
• Clean sewing machine and machine parts.
• Check oil.
• Use information technology and digital systems for example, real time system or computerised sewing machine settings.
• Communicate with others for example, other machinists, senior machinists, production staff, supervisors, and team leaders.
• Report issues for example, product quality and machine faults.
• Apply team working principles.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Monitor own performance.
• Complete and record learning and development activities.
• Follow work instructions for example, specifications, standard operating procedures, and specific instructions.
• Organise resources for example, equipment, components, and tools.
• Check working environment for hazards.
• Apply safe working practices including guards, seat positioning, safety clothing, and manual handling.
• Apply sustainability principles for example, minimise energy usage and waste.
• Identify and segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and disposal.
• Lay out equipment, components, and resources.
• Inspect cut or pre-sewn components before sewing; identify and resolve issues.
• Select and insert needles.
• Select thread.
• Fill and insert spool and thread a sewing machine.
• Select the sewing machine settings.
• Conduct sewing machine test run for example, pre-production, following threading up, adjustments, or maintenance.
• Make sewing machine adjustments for example, stitch tension.
• Operate, monitor, and control a sewing machine for example, lockstitch, linker, blind hemmer, overlocker, cup seam, and coverstitch machine.
• Control material feed.
• Conduct quality checks.
• Identify needle damage.
• Identify and resolve sewing issues for example, skip stitch, lose stitch, or pucker stitch.
• Follow post-production procedure for example, re-bundle, bag up, and attach work ticket.
• Enter information to track work process for example, work dockets, documentation, or electronic tracking system.
• Select maintenance tools.
• Remove and replace sewing machine parts for example, the presser foot, throat plate, spool, and spool case.
• Clean sewing machine and machine parts.
• Check oil.
• Use information technology and digital systems for example, real time system or computerised sewing machine settings.
• Communicate with others for example, other machinists, senior machinists, production staff, supervisors, and team leaders.
• Report issues for example, product quality and machine faults.
• Apply team working principles.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Monitor own performance.
• Complete and record learning and development activities.

Training schedule

Apprenticeship will all be delivered in the workplace, the assessor will visit once a month. 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4 or above)
• Maths (grade 4 or above)

Desirable qualifications

BTEC in:

Textiles (grade Pass)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Presentation skills
• Team working
• Design skill and flair
• CAD Software Experience
• Enthusiastic
• Eager to learn
• Strong Work Ethic

About this employer

Edward Taylor Textiles is UK’s largest leading sublimation factory working within the teamwear market. We collaborate with sporting brands to bring their team wear to the market.

https://www.edwardtaylortextiles.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

Permanent design role.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BLACKBURN COLLEGE

Apprenticeship Team

apprenticeships@blackburn.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000041404.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 14 August 2026