Fenner entertains a German client who's keen to see the workforce. Unfortunately, it's before nine o'clock and the workers aren't working. To ensure the staff arrive on time, a clocking-in machine is installed which leads to a strike.
The girls have produced an exclusive Italian sample dress for a potential buyer. Unfortunately, when the buyer arrives to see it, Kathy is wearing it out on a date.
Fenner has a problem - a rising wage bill and falling production. To improve the situation, he sets up a time and motions study. The girls of course throw a spanner in the works.
The local diner has put its prices up, leaving the girls out of pocket. They are outraged when Fenner refuses to give them a special subsidy, so they take special measures to dine in luxury at the factory.
Fenner is ecstatic to land an order from the US. Knowing the American market is demanding, he insists on perfection. Unfortunately the girls spend the afternoon celebrating Kathy's birthday.
Mr. Fenner brings in an Italian designer to help with the smooth running of the factory. Paddy is instantly opposed, until she meets the Italian heart-throb.
After a row with her old man, Olive has no choice but to bring her baby into work. Terrified that Fenner will disapprove, she tries her best to hide him.
Kathy announces that she's marrying Big Jim who works on an oil rig. To save her expense, the girls agree to make her a wedding dress from stock fabric. Unfortunately, Mrs. Fenner is helping to stock-take.
Fenner has picked up an order for a line of fur coats. When Olive makes a panda toy with some of the waste, Paddy spots an opportunity to sell her new boyfriend, Roger, a batch of soft toys.
When Kathy and Paddy tape down the button which switches the intercom on, Mrs. Fenner hears some home truths from her husband who is talking with the girls in the work room.
Mr. Fenner realises that during his absence, production plummets. To counter this, he hires stuck-up June to supervise. The girls hatch a plan to get rid of the stuck-up overseer.
Fenner gets the chance to supply a large chain with Fenner Fashions, however, the girls are distracted when they place a bet on the horses.
When Kathy falls off a chair in the restroom while trying on a dress, Paddy tries to get her compensation by rigging up an accident in the workroom.
Skilled seamstress Shana Ahmed is employed to complete the hand embroidery on a new line. Her husband objects to her working there and is worried that she'll pick up bad habits.
Production always slows down as Christmas nears and one dress gets destroyed as the clock reaches 5pm. Will anyone stay behind and help Mr. Fenner?