hi, a few weeks ago I got an offer for piece work pay. She said she'd pay me $8.50 per shirt. I am not sure if that is good pay or not but it takes me about 2 hours at least to do a shirt if not more when I include closing the seams and all. She wanted me to do at least 2 dozen per week but I'd be working around the clock and not making much. So I kindly declined her offer.

What is a seamstress worth? that's a good question. I think $10 an hour for an average seamstress. I know that alterations, even just hemming is expensive. This is a question that I am also pondering.

I have an aunt who's been doing custom sewing for decades; she figures her time at $10/hr for most things. Things take longer, she gets paid more.

I think she should set a minimum! I mean, she only charges $5 to hem a pair of jeans or sometimes $2 to patch a rip. She also charges $60 each for mens dress shirts because she hates doing them and hopes they quit coming to her. LOL

I'm just beginning to sew to order, learning a lot from her. I'd rather make something, then sell it, as opposed to the risk of screwing up something specific someone has ordered.

I have done piecework and it did not pay well. It came to me already cut and marked and the designer even provided the thread, but it was so time consuming to finish all the seams, clip threads, align buttonholes, etc. It quickly became monotonous and when all was said and done I barely cleared 4-5 dollars/hour. It did give me the confidence to finally demand more for my time. I stopped doing piecework. I now provide sewing labor for an interior designer and I price my own time. I try to make at least 15-20 dollars/hour and I am considered more affordable than others. I try to figure out how much time it would take to complete an item without interruption and price accordingly. I don't feel I am overcharging and I don't feel taken advantage of. The fabrics you describe are not the easiest to work with so if you find a good seamstress, pay her fairly or she may leave you when you need her most. Good luck and I look forward to seeing your items in the future.
Carole

That's interesting, Chey -- your work certainly shows that you deserve it!
Do you take your expenses come out of that price per hour, or are they in addition?

I will get at least 20 per hour or I won't sew!

P.S> Sorry for my english, not my first language.

Hi, Speaking for myself I refuse to sew for anyone even if its to hem pants without getting 20 dollars an hour. I know what I can do and I treat people like I want to be treated. Meaning thru time of sewing for different ones, I have helped many many people out and next thing I'm in a spot where they wanted me to keep doing it for less. Not anymore, and then it also depends on the product that I'm sewing. I just think if you start sewing for others to help them out soon they want it done for free, even if they pay for everything, which doesn't mean much to me, because if they can tell me a fabric choice, color, etc....let me go with it and I can ENJOY and design exactly what they want. You pay for what you get. Right.

I hope this didn't sound harsh to anyone, I just keep getting calls and emails about making this set or that etc. and they want me to do it CHEAP, I'm not walmart. sorry. Geesh you would think I might be a door greeter huh? LOL Ok so I'm just trying to explain and its not coming accross like I want it to.

To all you seamstress I say stick to what you LOVE to do and don't be taken advantage of.

To all that like custom work, think about what kind of finished product you want. That will say alot.

Barb

I am trying to get my sewing besiness started.
I've just started looking into it and I was hoping that someone could help clue me in on how to price my time.

I have a friend who's a wonderful seamstress but i don't believe that she charges even close to the going rate.

Does anyone have any addvise on how to advertise?

Yours' truly-

Ignorant seamstress

For those asking what a seamstress is worth - here is my experience on it. I had set prices on some items as I knew about how long it would take - items like sewing on a mens shirt button ($2) a single hem ($10), a cuffed hem($16), waist alterations, crotch alterations, taking in and letting out seams (Avg. $12-14), etc. If I was unsure of what all is involved or it was a more complicated process, I charged rates from $10 to $15. For piecing a quilt, I charged $18 per hour. Best way to find out is to call an existing sewing shop say at the local cleaners and ask for a price list. Your time and talent are worth something so do't just give it away

I think that location does matter somewhat. The cost of living where I live is so high that $10 an hour is less than an AVERAGE salary, not the salary of someone with experience, skill and talent. It is barely over minimum wage. However, some more rural areas, $10/hour is a live-able wage. I also think that pricing per piece is a better idea than per hour. You'll get a better deal no matter what. A better seamstress will be quick so their per-hour rate will be higher, and you won't be ripped off by a slow sewer.

-Shelley

See my  page for help with charity auction promotion

Iam sure someone probably told Vera Wang and many other great designers of the world something like that one day.

They are eating their words today.........LOL...