Time and Motion Studies
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Time and Motion Studies Liz W 03-23-2006
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Posted by Liz W on March 23, 2006, 8:17 am
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


Posted by on March 27, 2006, 9:30 am

>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

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

Posted by Pampeliska on March 27, 2006, 12:04 pm
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

> 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
>


Posted by Liz W on March 30, 2006, 9:17 am
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.


Posted by BEI Design on March 30, 2006, 2:22 pm

> 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, have you subscribed to the SewBiz list?

http://www.quiltropolis.net/maillists/maillists.asp

The 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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