How many kilts can a kiltmaker make in a year?

[Canuck]

With all due respect to a thread that is closed, a certain number cropped up. It was a large number.....
On average it takes about 20 hours minimum to make a hand sewn kilt. That's two a week if you work 40 hour weeks. that's about a hundred to hundred and fifty per year if you work 6 days a week for 50 weeks of the year.
A number was quoted close to 5000 units. For a single person that's about 33 years of sewing kilts full time 6 days a week...
I'm just doing the math and something doesn't add up...
I'm just putting it out there.....
Cheers
Robert

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I make kilts part time I average something like 100 per year. Don't think I could do more, unless I really up my kilt making hours.

[funlvnman]

Hmm, how many kilts could a woodchuck kilt if a woodchuck could chuck kilts?

Sorry if this derails the thread, I couldn't help myself. Once my silly gene turns on, there is no hope for me.

[JRB]

I make kilts part time I average something like 100 per year. Don't think I could do more, unless I really up my kilt making hours.

Would you do that please, Matt. We'd appreciate it. Thanks.

[Ancienne Alliance]

With all due respect to a thread that is closed, a certain number cropped up. It was a large number.....
On average it takes about 20 hours minimum to make a hand sewn kilt. That's two a week if you work 40 hour weeks. that's about a hundred to hundred and fifty per year if you work 6 days a week for 50 weeks of the year.
A number was quoted close to 5000 units. For a single person that's about 33 years of sewing kilts full time 6 days a week...
I'm just doing the math and something doesn't add up...
I'm just putting it out there.....
Cheers
Robert

Your calculations are accurate Robert. But you see, a kilt maker AND seamstress like Lady Chrystel will also once in a while make a waist coat, an Argyll jacket, a wedding dress...

Add to this the hemming of a next store granny’s skirt or curtains , new outfits for the kids… and yes a few things for herself… and you soon realise it’s a question of priority.

I know that doesn’t help.

Oh and, yes, normal people do take holidays (ours are short and business oriented)


Best,

the other Robert

[Pleater]

There is also the distinction between just the sewing and the entire making - that is just sewing up material that someone else has found, ordered, prepared, measured, folded etc. before you start to sew, then handing the result over to be pressed whilst you get on with the next one - or having to do everything yourself.

Throw in a dose of real life with housework and other people wanting your time, having to lie down with your eyes closed occasionally so the whirling stops, and one week to make a kilt is good going. At least it is at my house.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[longhuntr74]

...having to lie down with your eyes closed occasionally so the whirling stops...

I've found that if I put my foot on the floor the room stops spinning...and then I try to drink less on future outings...

Sorry...struck me funny Anne....I know you weren't talking about getting drunk.

[slohairt]

I make about two or three kilts per week and I do it full-time. Some of the lower-yardage styles take less than 20 hours to make, but they don't make up the bulk of my orders. I also have to do paperwork, shipping, communication and everything else that is related to owning your own business. I also try to manage having a life as well!

For me to make 5000 kilts would require a time frame close to 38-48 years.

[ChattanCat]

I average about one a month. It is not my day job so I am a part time kilt maker. How much time I spend on a kilt? I don't track my time. It is usually a few hours here and there. I do it because I like to make kilts and time is not a concern. I am more interested in doing the best job I can instead of making money. Kind of like an artist that does it for the love of it and a little monetary enticement helps motivate me to continue. Don't get me wrong, without the money I wouldn't do it nearly as often for such a mix of customers. Probably stick to making them for only me... come to think of it, it has been a while since I had a new kilt...

[johnnym]

I've found that if I put my foot on the floor the room stops spinning...and then I try to drink less on future outings...

You are not drunk if you can lay on the floor without falling off.
(Dean Martin, if I remember correctly)