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Author Topic: More sewing....
stitcher_g-
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stitcher_guy
Post More sewing....
on: August 11, 2012, 16:12
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We were at lunch yesterday discussing the severe bottleneck of me being the only person to sew in the shop. Lots of projects ripped apart, patterened and waiting to be sewn together. But with other jobs requiring my help or four hands to get it done, the machine sits idle many times when it needs to be going.

Has anyone ever sub-contracted their sewing? A guy who used to work for me now has his own shop, but I'm not sure how busy it is (as in I think it's only parttime). I've sometimes wondered the viability of having him sew up smaller jobs for us so we can concentrate on the projects. Lots of issues to consider with doing that (what rate, where does the sewing take place, who holds responsiblity for mistakes, etc.).

Unless one of you wants to take vacation and head to corn country for a couple weeks ........... :P

Nadeem-
Muaddi
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Posts: 495
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Post Re: More sewing....
on: August 11, 2012, 19:07
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Is the bottleneck specifically in the sewing or the designing/patterning/preparing of what's to be sewn? It's more difficult to find someone who can design a seat cover that fits than someone who can operate a machine.

If you already know of someone qualified to do it and the rate is good, I don't think it's a bad idea at all. However, the ultimate responsibility for getting a job done properly and on time falls on you as the contractor. After all, the customer will sign a bill of sale with you - not the subcontractor.

Also, be careful to keep the contractor's awareness of who the job is for on a need-to-know basis. That way, he/she doesn't pillage your customer base.

If you do decide to do this, let me know how it turns out. I'd be interested in sub-contracting convertible tops and could probably learn a thing or two from your experience.
8-track
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8-track
Post Re: More sewing....
on: August 11, 2012, 23:06
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There is so many good and bad things that can happen when you have somone else sewing for you. the positive is it will save you time and the business could actualy operate with you not there. the negative could be a project sewn up wrong or even ruin materials and alot of wasted labor repairing or remaking it. The sewer would realy need to know what they are doing.
I like to come in early when no one is there to sew, i get alot done when no one is there to interupt me. If I get the sewing done before everyone gets there I am not so rushed to work with employees and projects.
Naseem-
Muaddi
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Naseem Muaddi
Post Re: More sewing....
on: August 11, 2012, 23:45
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Quote from 8-track on August 11, 2012, 23:06

I like to come in early when no one is there to sew, i get alot done when no one is there to interupt me. If I get the sewing done before everyone gets there I am not so rushed to work with employees and projects.

I do the same. I come in on Sundays as well. I lock the doors, ignore the telephone, and try to get as much done as possible.

Stitcher Guy, I think your best bet is to teach your employee how to sew.

Penfold
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Penfold
Post Re: More sewing....
on: August 12, 2012, 19:38
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I've only been trimming for 4 weeks but i'm being taught to sew already.I think my boss wants to get me up and running as soon as possible.
Finding it a bit of a challenge at the moment as one press of the pedal and I've done 6 inches!
I'm trying to stick to making welting first and a bit of carpet binding.
Belvedere6-
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Belvedere65
Post Re: More sewing....
on: August 12, 2012, 23:42
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One of the first things I was taught when I started, was to sew. A shop needs more than one person that can sew. Also to pattern and cut. Just my 2 cents.
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