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From: HeatherL
Date: 05-03-2005, 11:24 PM (1 of 9)
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I don't have...nor can I afford (or, given my available time, really justify) an embroidery machine. However, I do have ideas for how little embellishments could really dress up some of my pieces. (And before you suggest it...I've never embroidered by hand, and there's that time constraint thing again...living with a toddler often means very little opportunity to drag out the sewing junk!) I would love it if I could have someone do small work on their machine...decorative borders and whatnot. But I have no idea how to go about finding someone in my area who'd be willing to help. There is a professional embroidery shop down the street...they typically handle corporate and school orders...but it might be worth a shot. I was just wondering if anyone out there actually DOES this in addition to say, a tailoring/seamstress service? |
User: HeatherL
Member since: 03-13-2004 Total posts: 102 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 05-03-2005, 11:48 PM (2 of 9)
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You can probably find someone to embroider small things for you through a local quilt/sewing/embroidery shop...but don't be surprised at the prices you will have to pay...if people do it for money, they charge what the market will bear. Make sure the prices are in writing before you start the process. Also keep in mind, not everything can be embroidered on, especially ready made things... Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: MaryW
Date: 05-04-2005, 08:27 AM (3 of 9)
Why can't you embroider on something already made? Inquiring minds want to know. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: my2girlies
Date: 05-04-2005, 10:15 AM (4 of 9)
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In order to embroider on something, you must be able to secure it in a "hoop", on some rtw items, this would mean disassembling it and then sewing it all back together. For me personally, I have a much better grasp of embroidering than sewing. HeatherL - I would suggest asking your friends that sew if they have friends that have an emb. machine. I do not emb for money, but have been deluged by friends and friends of friends that need something done. Since they are friends, I only ask them to pay for stabilizer and a couple of dollars toward thread if I am going to use alot of it. Although recently I was shocked when a friend of a friend asked if I could emb. on a "few little things" for her soon to be grandbaby and brought over 26 items that she wanted designs on and asked if $3.00 would cover it all. YIKES!! Since I had never even met her before I asked for $20.00, which I thought was very fair (She wanted multi-color designs on all of them - nothing simple). She agreed to it, but then told our mutual friend that I was greedy. But over all I love the chance to use my machine and do not mind at all helping out friends. Just a suggestion for you to check out. I love the way embellishments just add the perfect finishing touches to most anything. Good luck in your search. |
User: my2girlies
Member since: 03-25-2005 Total posts: 154 |
From: blanken6
Date: 05-04-2005, 10:31 AM (5 of 9)
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Yes there are people who do this, although I don't know about your specific area. I am trying to figure out right now if it would be profitable for me to buy the embroidery machine so I have been doing research with people who currently do it for profit. I would suggest going to stores that sell the machines to find the people who do it. Around here they are charging about $5 per basic item such as a name on a baseball hat, no color change, one size lettering. You go up from there, I think the woman told me she charged $3 for each color change and size change. For decorative, I would go more with the the color change pricing with a base price of probably $10. But your best bet to at least find someone would be to go to your local sewing/vac store and ask the sales people there who does this as a business and go from there.
Proverbs 31:10-31
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User: blanken6
Member since: 08-11-2004 Total posts: 41 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 05-04-2005, 12:13 PM (6 of 9)
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Baby things or things for small children dont have the 'size' in the fabric to be put in a hoop. (yes there are 2X2 and 4X4 hoops, but sometimes small sleeves, collars and such can't be put in or even ON a hoop (with sticky). LOTS of baby, childrens clothes are also VERY stretchy, and you have to be careful of the stretch, either giving too much or not at all. It throws the embroidery 'off'. Most embroidery machines free arms aren't small enough for those small clothes anyway....so it's always easier to embroider THEN make the clothes...(I'm not saying it can't be done, I'm just saying it's difficult and there are more charges the more difficult the project is.) It's like baseball hats...it's hard to do, unless you have the 'right' embroidery machine and hoops. (but it can be done...) Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414
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From: mamadus
Date: 05-04-2005, 08:18 PM (7 of 9)
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My 2 girlies... if I had been you, once I heard the reaction of the "friend of a friend" I might have told her to take her business elsewhere and see what they would charge her... at $20 for 26 items its doubtful you even covered your stabilizer and thread costs, let alone your time.... some folks have a lot of nerve!! and yes... hats can be a major PIA... I just did 5 hats for my bil...he's going to the Derby and wanted the name of the horse, a horse design, and the name of the owner (a personal friend) on the front of the hat.. I used very structured hats... total PIA I like the more unstructured kind... twill baseball caps... not as unstructured as a painter's cap, but a lot easier to do than the structured ones that have the foam inside the front. MO PS... if George STeinbrenner's horse wins... look for my hat on the jockey's head!! horse's name is BEllamy Road life is too short, not to explore
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User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004 Total posts: 492 
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From: blanken6
Date: 05-05-2005, 01:30 AM (8 of 9)
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I'm with mamudus. I couldn't imagine someone being so rude after all that work. You put all that work into something and get such a horrible response? I didn't realize how much things cost to make until I started sewing for money. Now when I purchase things I take a lot more into concideration in the price knowing what it takes. I have also learned not to sew for people who don't realize how difficult it can be. Sometimes it isn't anything personal when they don't appreciate it, they just don't get it. But, we do! That's why I tend to do my best work for my sewing friends, they understand! I bet you do really good work too! Uhg.
Proverbs 31:10-31
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User: blanken6
Member since: 08-11-2004 Total posts: 41
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From: JustaNewbie
Date: 05-06-2005, 10:04 PM (9 of 9)
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Hi, I do own an embroidery business, and I started out working out of my home with my Brother ULT 2003D. Last year I purchased the PR600 (no more changing the threads by hand) absolutely love it. I still use the ULT2003D and sometimes if I have a big order will run both machines at the sametime. I calculate my cost by stitch count, also you must add it thread costs, stabilizer, time (won't really get much for that). But if you go into business you buy your thread at wholesale the same for you stablizer. It has been almost 3 years since I started my business I do alot of local businesses, school, community groups and I haven't even had enough down time to actually stitch out all the designs that I have on my computer. My advice, would be to go for it, if you really want to do this. Start out at home and maybe if you want to do small orders to start, contact a local quilter's guild and maybe state that you can do special designs that they could incorporate into their quilts. The ideas are endless, not enough time in the day....  I hope this helps. |
User: JustaNewbie
Member since: 11-27-2003 Total posts: 13 
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