Labor Intensity in Textiles: Time-Motion Study for Weaving, Knitting, and Sewing

Hand-weaving a scarf takes 4-6 hours. Machine knitting takes 1-2 hours. If you don't know exactly how long your work takes, you're likely underpricing. This guide teaches you to measure time accurately and use it to price profitably.

Conducting a Time-Motion Study

Measure your work over 2-4 weeks to establish accurate time estimates:

Step 1: Break Work Into Components

Don't just measure total time. Separate setup, production, finishing, quality check.

Example (Weaving): Warp setup (30 min) → Weaving (240 min) → Finishing (30 min) → QC (15 min) = 5.25 hours total

Step 2: Track Actual Time (Not Estimated)

Use a timer or stopwatch. Estimate is always wrong. You underestimate the frustrating parts and overestimate the enjoyable ones.

Step 3: Identify Batch Effects

Weaving 1 scarf takes different time than weaving 3 identical scarves. Setup costs are shared across the batch.

Example: 1 scarf: 5.25 hours. 3 scarves with shared warp: 14 hours total = 4.67 hours/scarf (11% savings)

Step 4: Document Your Findings

Create a labor standard: "Hand-woven scarf: 5.25 hours per piece (single) or 4.67 hours average (batch of 3)"

Labor Cost Examples by Textile Type

Hand-Weaving (Floor Loom)

• Time: 5-6 hours per scarf

• Labor cost @ $45/hr: $225-$270 per scarf

• Result: Labor dominates pricing (60-70% of retail price)

Hand-Knitting (Complex Pattern)

• Time: 8-12 hours per sweater

• Labor cost @ $50/hr: $400-$600 per sweater

• Result: Can justify $800-$1,200+ retail pricing

Machine-Knitting (Simple Pattern)

• Time: 1.5-2.5 hours per sweater

• Labor cost @ $40/hr: $60-$100 per sweater

• Result: Can charge $200-$350 retail (labor is lower, but fibers/dyes still matter)

Insight: Hand techniques command premium prices because labor costs are high. If your time-motion study shows you're underpricing, you have room to increase prices or reduce production.

Using Time Data to Optimize Pricing

Here's the pricing formula once you have accurate time estimates:

Scarf Pricing Example (With Accurate Labor Data)

Fiber cost: $15

Dye cost: $3

Labor: 5.25 hours × $50/hr = $262.50

Equipment amortization: $1.50

Overhead (10%): ($15 + $3 + $262.50 + $1.50) × 0.10 = $28.20

Total cost: $310.20

At 40% markup: $434.28 retail price

Pro tip: Many textile makers underprice because they don't count all labor (hidden setup time, revisions, quality checks). A proper time-motion study reveals this and justifies higher pricing.

Key Takeaways

✓ Conduct time-motion studies with actual timers, not estimates

✓ Break work into components (setup, production, finishing, QC) to identify where time goes

✓ Account for batch effects—shared setup costs reduce per-piece time

✓ Use labor standards as basis for pricing: Labor Cost = Time × Hourly Rate

✓ If time-motion study reveals you're underpricing, adjust retail prices or reduce production

Know Your Time. Price Accordingly.

TrueCraft tracks labor time by product and process.

Start Your Free Trial