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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: Yoche
Date: 09-29-2005, 01:30 PM (1 of 11)
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Hello everyone, I was wondering if you could please help me with a question: Generally speaking from your past experiences, How long does it take to sew a: Pair of pants (similar to everyday jeans) Dress Shirt (button up, no Pockets) Jacket (full zipper, 2 pockets) There needs to be around 150 pcs of each so I imagine the time would go down since it is somewhat repeatitive. If you can give me your best guess I would greatly appreciate it. (they are somewhat simple patterns) Thank you, yoche |
User: Yoche
Member since: 09-29-2005 Total posts: 4 |
From: esrun3
Date: 09-29-2005, 10:15 PM (2 of 11)
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Hi! Welcome to the boards. Are you talking straight sewing or cutting out also? If you have experience and are uninterrupted, you should be able to put any of these items together in a few hours. Depends on how detailed they are. I have discovered that items often take longer than they look like they will but if you are making several of each pattern you could probably chain sew a lot of it at once. Let us know how it goes.
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: Sewspecial
Date: 09-30-2005, 06:42 AM (3 of 11)
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I agree that it would probably take you a couple of hours each if you were making just one. You said 150 pieces, I would imagine you would speed up your time if you worked in somewhat of an assembly line fashion. I did Graduation dresses for a private school 72 of them all together, I broke them down by sizes and did each group in assembly line fashion, I saved a lot of time. It sounds to me like your looking to price this job, and your going to base your quote, on a calculated time to complete the order. No matter how good you are, It's extremely hard to guesstimate time, allow yourself some room for a margine of error.....you don't want to feel like your running a sweat shop. When it stops being enjoyable it's hard to stay interested. Good luck |
User: Sewspecial
Member since: 09-24-2004 Total posts: 30 |
From: MaryW
Date: 09-30-2005, 08:36 AM (4 of 11)
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Amen to that! I think it would take more than a couple of hours for one pce. Just my humble opinion. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: dmoses
Date: 09-30-2005, 09:24 AM (5 of 11)
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It would definitely take me a lot longer than a couple of hours for any one of those items, and that is after cutting out the pattern pieces...I guess I'm slow. It depends on the materials you use, the tools you have, and, of course, your experience.
Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964 
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From: Longblades
Date: 09-30-2005, 09:49 AM (6 of 11)
| It would take me more than a couple of hours to make a pair of jeans, even though I've made the same pattern over and over. Every fabric works differently, even one piece of denim to another. And since fit is crucial in jeans I spend a lot of time trying on. Sheesh, just the five pockets would probably take me two hours, not counting cutting out or sewing on the design I put on the two back pockets. |
User: Longblades
Member since: 07-14-2005 Total posts: 182 |
From: paroper
Date: 09-30-2005, 10:04 AM (7 of 11)
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When I have sewn for a group, I have taken my measurements carefully and as I cut, I custom cut for each individual. I may have 4 size 14 tops (but each could have a different size bottom). I'll cut for saving space, so I'll cut a size 8 for Jane with a size 24 for Sue. I make a chart with pattern pieces needed across the top. Down the side, I put the girl's name (or guy)...then in each square, I put the size that I need for that girl...so that I know that I need 15 size 12 facings. As I cut, I blank out each square on my chart. I put little piles all over the room as I start each girl's patterns. On the top of each pile I pin the girl's name. When I finish all of her garment pieces, I stack them to the side. When I have a large amount to sew, I always cut from a bolt of fabric instead of a folded amount. Then, I can just roll it out as I go. I always lay large pieces first. Then I add smaller pieces where they will fit, observing carefully the straight of grain. I may assemble all the skirts or tops at once, but I keep their garment pieces together. One of the first things I do is the facings. The reason is because when I do a large number of garments, I put stitch the girls' name in the facings...you can loose paper, you don't usually loose the facings and they soon attach to the garment. Then I put them with the cut garment. This is all a matter of organization but you don't want something you love to become routine...to me it is not as boring if I assemble the garments "for" a person instead of making x number of size 12 garments..it just seems more personal. When I see Sue or Jan perform on the football field or walk down the aisle, it kind of comes together for me. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: paroper
Date: 09-30-2005, 10:13 AM (8 of 11)
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As for how long it takes? I never try to do more than 20 detailed garments in a 7 day period or I can sew 20 simple combination garments in a week easy...like pants with a princess top or something easy...it just depends on the difficulty of the pattern. I prefer to sew 6-8 per week so that I have time for myself and my family. The most I have ever done was 23 in 3 days and I went without sleep for those 3 days. You need to also allow time for fitting/simple alterations. There is nothing more frusterating that getting everything ready for a fitting and having to wait 3 days for the person to come. You need to allow the time it will take to measure for hems and fitting...you'll only be as effecient at the people you are sewing for...and you're the one they'll be upset with if you don't have it all done on time...so be sure and allow that extra time. When I have worked with schools, done choirs, cheer or pom, I have found it easier for me to set a time for them to be there and for me to go to get the measurements and fittings at one time...it is faster and you have more control. When I do wedding parties, I try to set a time for all the party to be there at once. (It helps resolve issues if the bride is there too.) The other thing...don't forget you can say NO!!!!! pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Yoche
Date: 09-30-2005, 02:56 PM (9 of 11)
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Thank you all very much for your responses. Actually, I'm planning on starting a small clothing line. I'm trying to get some general times so that I know whats a fair price and what isn't. I have access to some equipment that could cut all the pieces, so there wouldn't be any cutting time. Would it be safe to assume that after a person has sewn quite a few of one item that they could possibly get one done in an hour. (Assuming that the patterns are precut and don't require a whole lot of detail? |
User: Yoche
Member since: 09-29-2005 Total posts: 4 |
From: paroper
Date: 09-30-2005, 05:34 PM (10 of 11)
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There is no doubt that you can increase your speed and effeciency the more that you make. The only way that you can be sure how long it will take is to make one first. After that, you can probably cut anywhere from 30-50% off the time by the time you are making your third. The more detail in the garment, the longer it will take..pockets, waistlines, darts, etc all add a little bit more time. The length of the garment basically adds only a few moments, just adds to the fabric used. It is just a simple formula, the more seams, the more time it will take.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Jo-Anne46
Date: 10-01-2005, 08:30 PM (11 of 11)
| It would also depend on the level of experience you have as well.. PLUS don't forget pressing out seams, topstitching, insertion of zippers as well as sewing on buttons...LIttle things like that add up the time.. |
User: Jo-Anne46
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 28 
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