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Contract Sewing Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Contract Sewing information

What is contract sewing?

Contract sewing refers to the process where a business or individual outsources the sewing and assembly of textile products to a specialized company or contractor. These contractors have the equipment and expertise to produce items such as clothing, bags, upholstery, or industrial fabric products at scale. Companies choose contract sewing to reduce overhead costs, increase production capacity, or access specialized skills and machinery. The contractor typically follows the client’s specifications and can handle anything from prototyping to full-scale manufacturing.

What is a contract sewing job?

Contract sewing jobs focus on the production of clothing and other items using a sewing machine. Your duties and responsibilities as a contractor in this field vary depending on the details of each project on which you work. A client can ask you to sew materials for retail, custom designs, or personal use. However, as a contractor, you are not often responsible for mass production jobs. Your client should supply details for the project, such as the type of fabric, measurements, and required design elements. As a seamstress, you create a price for the project and ensure that you can complete the work by the deadline.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract sewing professional, and why are they important?

To excel as a Contract Sewing Professional, you need strong sewing skills, attention to detail, and experience with garment construction, often supported by vocational training or relevant certification. Familiarity with industrial sewing machines, sergers, and pattern-making software like Gerber or CAD systems is typically required. Excellent time management, problem-solving abilities, and clear communication help ensure efficiency and high-quality results when working with clients and teams. These competencies are crucial for meeting production deadlines, maintaining quality standards, and building successful client relationships in a competitive industry.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in contract sewing, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in contract sewing often encounter challenges such as fluctuating workloads, tight deadlines, and the need to adapt to a variety of client specifications. Managing time efficiently and maintaining clear communication with clients are crucial for meeting production targets and ensuring high-quality results. Building strong relationships with suppliers and staying updated on industry standards can also help contract sewers navigate material shortages or changes in project requirements. Collaborating closely with other team members, such as pattern makers and quality inspectors, is essential to address issues quickly and deliver consistent outcomes.

What is the difference between Contract Sewing vs Pattern Maker?

AspectContract SewingPattern Maker
CredentialsTypically no formal certification required, but experience in sewing and industry knowledge preferredOften requires technical training or certification in pattern making or fashion design
Work EnvironmentFactories, sewing workshops, or production facilitiesDesign studios, pattern rooms, or manufacturing settings
Industry UsageUsed by apparel manufacturers, contractors, and production companiesUsed by fashion designers, apparel companies, and pattern companies
Job FocusAssembling garments based on specificationsCreating and developing patterns for garments

Contract Sewing involves assembling garments in a production setting, focusing on sewing and finishing. Pattern Makers design and develop patterns that guide garment construction. While Contract Sewing emphasizes manufacturing, Pattern Making centers on design and development. Both roles are essential in apparel production but differ in skills, responsibilities, and work environment.

How to get contract sewing jobs?

To get contract sewing jobs, build a strong portfolio showcasing your sewing skills and experience, and register with online freelance platforms or industry-specific job boards. Networking with clothing manufacturers, apparel companies, or sewing contractors can also lead to opportunities, and having proficiency with sewing machines and pattern-making is beneficial.

What are the most commonly searched types of Sewing jobs in Colorado?

The most popular types of Sewing jobs in Colorado are:

What are popular job titles related to Contract Sewing jobs in Colorado?

For Contract Sewing jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Contract Sewing jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Contract Sewing job openings:

Infographic showing various Contract Sewing job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 63% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 12% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, and 11% Remote job distribution.

Embroidery Machine Operator - Night Shift

Lakeshirts

Longmont, CO • On-site

$29/hr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago


Job description

THE OPPORTUNITY

Looking for something different? This could be your fresh start. At Lakeshirts | Blue 84, great team members come from all kinds of backgrounds, including production, warehouse, retail, hospitality, teaching, office work, or something completely different. No embroidery or Screenprint experience is necessary. We will train you.

In this full-time onsite production role, you will bring designs to life on t-shirts and other garments while learning embroidery machine operation, thread changes, hooping, order flow, computer navigation, quality checks, and team-based production goals. The work is active, steady, and hands-on.

PAY + SCHEDULE

Location: Longmont, CO. This is a full-time, onsite production role.

Shift: Monday-Thursday, 3:30pm-2:00am, night shift.

Growth: Night-shift team members start at $22.00 per hour with opportunities to earn up to $29.00 per hour. Lakeshirts offers on-the-job training, cross training, career levels, and advancement opportunities. Some high performers advance in as little as 90 days.

BENEFITS

Lakeshirts offers a fun, creative, and team-driven culture where employees are empowered to grow and thrive. We provide competitive pay with daily pay options, comprehensive insurance benefits, up to 22 paid days off in the first year, profit sharing, a 401(k) plan, relaxed dress code, onsite cafeteria, and more.

A TYPICAL DAY | ANALYZE + OPERATE + QUALITY CONTROL + REPEAT

  • Analyze orders to identify the design, garment details, and thread colors.
  • Change embroidery machine threads, thread needles, and prepare garments for production.
  • Attach hoops to garments and organize work flow for steady, accurate production.
  • Use computer spreadsheets and programs to access order specifications and process garment orders.
  • Operate embroidery machine computers and laser equipment while monitoring quality and quantity.
  • Verify clothing and embroidery quality to meet Zephyr and Lakeshirts standards.
  • Communicate with teammates and inventory areas to gather replacement garments as needed.
  • Keep the work area clean, orderly, safe, and ready for the next order.
  • Follow safety practices and help resolve safety concerns in accordance with OSHA standards.
  • Work actively with others to get the job done and support other duties as assigned.

SKILLS | RELIABILITY + MOTIVATION + GOAL-DRIVEN + ATTENTION TO DETAIL

  • High school education is desirable, but not required.
  • Positive attitude, self-motivation, and willingness to learn embroidery production.
  • Ability to work well in a team and take direction well.
  • Reliable, responsible, and goal-driven with strong attention to detail.
  • Ability to perform repetitive tasks for several hours and stand for 8-10 hours a day.
  • Previous production, sewing, garment, warehouse, or machine operator experience preferred, but not required.
  • Basic computer comfort is helpful; Microsoft Word and Excel experience preferred.

WHY LAKESHIRTS IS THE PLACE YOU WANT TO BE

OUR CULTURE is one-of-a-kind and truly sets us apart. We are proud of our humble beginnings and non-corporate style. Lakeshirts | Blue 84 is one of the largest privately owned Screenprint manufacturers in the United States, decorating garments for resort, college, and K-12 markets. At our Detroit Lakes headquarters, we employ over 1,000 great people and produce 35,000+ garments daily. LIFE'S BETTER IN A T-SHIRT. IT REALLY IS.

Lakeshirts participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program in all facilities located in the United States and certain U.S. territories. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

COGNITIVE OR MENTAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB

Employee must be able to see and hear, read and write. This role requires adaptability, analyzing, assessing, calculating, decision making, dependability, judgment, reading, speaking, following direction, multiple priorities, and reasoning.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

CONTINUOUSLY: Stands, walks, lifts and carries under 10 lbs., reaches at and below shoulder height.

FREQUENTLY:, Pushes, pulls, bends, twists, reaches above shoulder height.

OCCASIONALLY: Balances, lifts and carries 10-50 lbs.

NEVER: Sits, climbs, crawls.

NOTE / DISCLAIMER

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and should not be considered a contract or guarantee of employment. Employee may perform other related duties as needed based on business needs. Minnesota is an Employment-At-Will state and implies no specific length of employment.