Lab Gallery 03 of 26  |  Vocational Education in Schools series

Rows of sewing machines humming together, chalk lines on fabric and a dress form standing quietly in the corner give the apparel lab the busy feel of a small garment unit.

This lab trains students for roles such as sewing machine operator, fabric checker, hand embroiderer and self-employed tailor. Learners measure, draft patterns, cut fabric, stitch garments and finish them for packing. It suits students interested in fashion, tailoring or a home-based business, and teachers use it for both basic stitching drills and complete garment projects. This gallery shows all 88 tools, equipment and machines from the PSSCIVE curriculum, arranged job role by job role.

Which job roles are covered?

Most common across roles

These tools & equipment show up in several job roles, so one purchase can serve more than one course:

Measuring tape	Scissors	Seam ripper
Thread Clipper	Yardstick/Meter-stick	Pinking Shears

Fabric Checker

AMH/Q0101 | Class XI-XII | 14 new tools & equipment in this section

Pin Cushions	Measuring tape	Tracing Wheel
Scissors	Shears	Thread Clipper
Yardstick/Meter-stick	Thread Sucking Machine	GSM Cutter
Weighing Machine	Spotting Gun	Needle Detector
Fabric checking machine	Machine tool kit

Inline Checker

AMH/Q0102 | Class XI-XII | 17 new tools & equipment in this section

Rotary cutter	Needles	Iron and Ironing Board
Seam ripper	Pinking Shears	Sewing Gauge
Hem Gauge	Hip Curve	L-square
Hand Needle	Punch Needle	Bent neck, metallic Tweezer
Pick glass	Needle threader	Sewing Mannequin
Greyscale	Thimble

Sewing Machine Operator

AMH/Q0301 | Class IX-X | 14 new tools & equipment in this section

Clear Ruler	Skirt- Hem Marker	Retractable Tape Measure
Zipper Guide	Adhesive- Backed Rulers	Bobbin
Loop turner	Sewing Machine	Sewing Box
Iron box	Ironing board	Press cloth
Sleeve board	Seam roll

Store Keeper

AMH/Q0501 | Class XI-XII | 1 new tools & equipment in this section

Calculator

Embroidery Machine Operator

AMH/Q0801 | Class XI-XII | 9 new tools & equipment in this section

Bobbin case	Embroidery Snips	Cone Thread Holder
Embroidery hoop	Embroidery scissors	Steam iron
Computerised embroidery machine	Design templates	Tailor's Awl

Hand Embroiderer

AMH/Q1001 | Class IX-X | 2 new tools & equipment in this section

Ruler

Sharpener

Hand Embroiderer (Addawala)

AMH/Q1010 | Class IX-X | 1 new tools & equipment in this section

Adda Frame

Assistant Fashion Designer

AMH/Q1210 | Class XI-XII | 10 new tools & equipment in this section

Over-lock machine	Drawing Board (any size wooden)	Attachments for sewing machine
Button hole scissor	Hand notcher (pattern notcher)	Hanger
Paper Cutter	Stapler (small and big size)	Punching Machine
Paint brushes and colour palette

Finisher and packer

AMH/Q2255 | Class XI-XII | 10 new tools & equipment in this section

Fork lifts	Reach trucks	Vacuum cleaner
Mops	Cleaning Robots	Air purifiers
Paper Scissors	Cleaning Brush	Tagging Machine
Scrap bins

Specialized Sewing Machine Operator

AMH/Q2301 | Class XI-XII | 10 new tools & equipment in this section

Chain stitch machine	Button hole sewing machine	Button sewing machine
Zigzag sewing machine	Lock stitch machine	Bar-tack machine
Blind stitch machine	High speed sewing machine	High speed interlock machine
Feed off the arm machine

Walking through the lab

Apparel labs usually follow the path a garment takes. Near the entrance, a large cutting table holds the yardstick, measuring tape, hip curve, tracing wheel and sewing gauge for drafting and marking. Shears, pinking shears and scissors stay at this table. The machine area comes next, with rows of sewing machines, a computerised embroidery machine and a machine tool kit with spare bobbins. A hand-work corner has pin cushions, thimbles, needle threaders and a seam ripper for embroidery and alterations. Finally, a pressing and finishing station with an iron box and a sewing mannequin lets students check fit and press garments before folding.

Keeping tools in good shape

Clean lint from under the throat plate and around the bobbin case after each class, and oil machines as the manual suggests. Keep fabric shears for fabric only, since cutting paper dulls them quickly. Store pins in cushions, not loose in drawers. Cover machines with dust covers overnight and keep fabric stock dry and folded to avoid mildew.

Staying safe in this lab

1. Keep fingers clear of the needle and switch off the machine before threading.
2. Pass scissors and shears handle first, and never leave them open on tables.
3. Unplug the iron box after use and rest it upright on a heat-proof stand.
4. Tie back long hair and loose dupattas while working near running sewing machines.

Quick answers

How many students can share one sewing machine?

Ideally each student gets a machine during stitching practice, but many schools pair students and rotate them between the machine and the cutting table. While one stitches, the other drafts, marks or does hand finishing. This keeps everyone busy and lets the teacher watch each pair closely.

Which tools should a beginner apparel student own personally?

A personal kit with a measuring tape, small scissors, a thread clipper, a seam ripper, a thimble, pins and hand needles is very useful. These items are inexpensive, used every period, and help students practise at home. Larger items like machines, mannequins and the embroidery machine stay in the lab.