What Does A Hand Sewer Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Stan T.Career, Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Hand Sewers

Hand Sewers sew, join, reinforce, or finish, usually with needle and thread, a variety of manufactured items. Includes weavers and stitchers.

Salary
$30790
Becoming One
Easy
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth

Personality


What they do

Hand Sewers sew, join, reinforce, or finish, usually with needle and thread, a variety of manufactured items. Includes weavers and stitchers.

  • Sew, join, reinforce, or finish parts of articles, such as garments, books, mattresses, toys, and wigs, using needles and thread or other materials.
  • Trim excess threads or edges of parts, using scissors or knives.
  • Select thread, twine, cord, or yarn to be used, and thread needles.
  • Draw and cut patterns according to specifications.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Hand Sewers trim excess threads or edges of parts, using scissors or knives. The smooth seams with heated irons, flat bones, or rubbing sticks.

A typical day for a Hand Sewer will also include:

  • Sew, join, reinforce, or finish parts of articles, such as garments, books, mattresses, toys, and wigs, using needles and thread or other materials.
  • Select thread, twine, cord, or yarn to be used, and thread needles.
  • Use different sewing techniques such as felling, tacking, basting, embroidery, and fagoting.
  • Measure and align parts, fasteners, or trimmings, following seams, edges, or markings on parts.
  • Wax thread by drawing it through a ball of wax.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Hand Sewers also draw and cut patterns according to specifications. They may also sew buttonholes, or add lace or other trimmings.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Hand Sewers tie, knit, weave, or knot ribbon, yarn, or decorative materials. They might also use different sewing techniques such as felling, tacking, basting, embroidery, and fagoting.

In addition, they soften leather or shoe material with water to prepare it for sewing.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them measure and align parts, fasteners, or trimmings, following seams, edges, or markings on parts.

To some Hand Sewers, it is also their responsibility to the wax thread by drawing it through a ball of wax.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Low

Is this job meaningful

Low

61% said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they found their job meaningful.


Pros

Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.

Suitable for people who want independence and like to work on their own and make decisions.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.

One of the lowest paying jobs.

Demand for this career is declining.

How much do they make

Average salary

$30790 per year

Average hourly wage

$15 per hour

Entry-level Hand Sewers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $21,040 to $24,690 per year or $10 to $12 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $40,710 $20
Senior (Top 25%) $36,420 $18
Median $30,000 $14
Junior (Bottom 25%) $24,690 $12
No experience (Bottom 10%) $21,040 $10

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Hand Sewers based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
General Merchandise Stores $42740 $20.55
Performing Arts Companies $36530 $17.56
Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance $34120 $16.40
Other Furniture Related Product Manufacturing $33670 $16.19
Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing $33390 $16.05
Drycleaning and Laundry Services $32400 $15.58
Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing $32210 $15.49
Printing and Related Support Activities $31980 $15.38
Footwear Manufacturing $31820 $15.30
Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses $31460 $15.12

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Hand Sewers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Hand Sewers including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing 520 $31250 $15.02
Other Textile Product Mills 360 $29360 $14.12
Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance 310 $34120 $16.40
Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing 210 $26280 $12.64
Drycleaning and Laundry Services 170 $32400 $15.58
Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing 130 $33390 $16.05
Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing 120 $32210 $15.49
Employment Services 120 $30200 $14.52
Other Furniture Related Product Manufacturing 110 $33670 $16.19
Textile Furnishings Mills 100 $28270 $13.59

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
52%

40 hours
20%

More than 40 hours
28%

Working schedule

41%

48%

11%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
30%

Every day
26%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
52%

Every day
37%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
42%

Every day
33%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
54%

Once a year
35%

Once a month
12%

Once a week
0%

Every day
0%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
11%

Slightly competitive
26%

Moderately competitive
56%

Highly competitive
7%

Extremely competitive
0%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
32%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
68%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
62%

Once a year or more
15%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
23%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
96%

Once a year or more
4%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
96%

Once a year or more
4%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Easy
You may need some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Most careers in this difficulty category usually don’t require a degree. However, you will need a few months of on-the-job training with experienced employees. Similar careers include Customer Service Representatives, Security Guards, and Bank Tellers.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
30%

High School Diploma or equivalent
22%

Post-Secondary Certificate
30%

Some College Courses
7%

Associate’s Degree or similar
7%

Bachelor’s Degree
4%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

No majors found

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
4%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
4%

3 to 6 months
4%

6 months to 1 year
11%

1 to 2 years
26%

2 to 4 years
30%

4 to 6 years
15%

6 to 8 years
4%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
4%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
4%

1 month
15%

1 to 3 months
23%

3 to 6 months
8%

6 months to 1 year
35%

1 to 2 years
8%

2 to 4 years
8%

4 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Builder

People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

The Builder
86%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
24%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
71%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
19%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
24%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
67%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

They also like working with forms, designs, and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
33%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
38%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
29%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
33%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
52%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
57%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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