Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Hand Sewers
Hand Sewers sew, join, reinforce, or finish, usually with needle and thread, a variety of manufactured items. Includes weavers and stitchers.
Table of contents
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.
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What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
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
Average hourly wage
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 |
| Employment Services | 120 | $30200 | $14.52 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 120 | $32210 | $15.49 |
| Other Furniture Related Product Manufacturing | 110 | $33670 | $16.19 |
| Textile Furnishings Mills | 100 | $28270 | $13.59 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Frequency of conflict situations
How often are there conflict situations in this job?
Dealing with angry people
How often do you have to deal with angry, unpleasant, or discourteous individuals in this job?
Dealing with physically aggressive people
How often do you have to deal with physically aggressive people in this job?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
Impact of decisions on co-workers or company results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the reputation or financial resources of your employer?
Frequency of decision making
How frequently do you have to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the reputation of the company?
Responsibility for others’ health and safety
How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
Responsibility for outcomes and results
How much responsibility is there for the work outcomes and results of other workers?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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