Time and Motion Studies

Mar 23, 2006 6 Replies
L

Hello all,



For the last few weeks I have been doing "time and motion" studies to see just how long it takes me to do a project. All the business sewing books I've been reading say it's very important to do these studies. Well now I know how long it takes me to do certain things but I have no way of knowing if I'm too slow or on target. The time studies are supposed to help me price my work. I thought I'd better find out if my times are on par with others. So, in the interest of study, how long does it take you too ...



Hem up a pair of basic pants without a cuff? How about with a cuff? And jeans? What about those horrid things called "mock" cuffs? I found out it took me longer to do a mock cuff then the real thing.



How long to make a basic straight skirt from the time you lay out the fabric and thread the machine until finished with the hem? Just a basic straight skirt: waistband, button & buttonhole closure, 4 darts front and 4 in back, center back zipper, machine hem, no lining. How much extra time do you allow for a lining? No matter how hard I try, it takes me 2 1/2 hours from start to finish for an unlined skirt.



How about a man's dress style shirt? I have some Chambray fabric in my stash and a shirt pattern for myself. It has long sleeves with a cuff, one button/button hole, collar on a collar band, breast patch pocket, back shoulder yoke, and I'll probably put in about 5, maybe 6 front buttons starting at the neckband. All the buttonholes will be machine done, of course. This pattern gives the option of a shirt tail hem or a straight hem. It will be a new time study for me.



Elastic waist pull-on skirts in knit fabrics that are ankle long? I like making these for spring / summer because they do up so quickly and look nice with a pullover top. I use my hip measurement plus 4 inches. The fabric is just stitched down each side, open on both sides from the knee down. I machine stitch the side slits, do a 2 inch elastic pocket at the top, and a 2 inch blind hem. They take about 90 minutes from the time I lay out the fabric until the hem is finished.



Thanks in advance for your replies!



Liz w



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S

Yuck, I hate doing time and motion studies. Had to do them on occasion when I worked, and they give me the hives. Having said that, I do like to arrange my sewing tasks in an orderly process, however. The rule is: handle it once, whenever possible. For example, I like to do all like tasks at once, arranging the pieces in sewing order on a large tray with the final parts on the bottom and the first tasks on top. Cut, mark, fuse, sew. I like to sew as much as possible before turning on the iron to press, and then press as much as possible. Probably most of us follow this logic. Sharon

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P

I'm doing research for hours, it takes much time before I start something. Than I figure out the years I will use the garment and the time spent on making it shrinks if I compare it with the time wearing the garment.

Sometimes a jacket takes a day, sometimes two weeks, but does it really matter ;) ? You wear it for years if it is really tailored.......and good shape. Suzan from Amsterdam

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L

Thank you both for answering my questions, it does help. I was trying to detemine if my skills were slow because I want to do this for a living. Clearly if a customer asks for a skirt to be made I have to know how my cost and time measure up to others in this field. I've learned so much from reading this group about sewing as a business. Now it's time to determine if there is an area where I can specialize. Thanks again.

Liz W.

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B

Liz, have you subscribed to the SewBiz list?

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people on that list (it's not a newsgroup like alt.sewing, it's a true e-mail list) are, for the most part, accomplished professionals, and all are *very* generous in sharing tips and advice. Beverly

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L

Hi Beverly,

Yes I do read SewBiz, but have not posted any messages. It has been a big help! I ordered some business books that were recommended by the group. One had a disk with the time & motion sheets. Now I can clearly see areas that need improvement. I just wondered where I stood on the speed scale. For example, it takes me 30 minutes to hem a basic pair of pants from start to pressing. From the SewBiz group, I have found out that's about normal. Thanks for your reply.

Liz W.

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