If you’re ready for a new, paying side-gig, then here’s an ultimate guide to embroidery as a business.
by Troop Atomic Mommy
This post contains affiliate links. To learn more about affiliate links and how they work, please read our Affiliate Disclaimer HERE.
If you’ve just begun learning embroidery and want to turn it into a paying side-gig or main business, but you need to know more about the art of embroidery, then you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, you’ll find a quick history on embroidery, a list of what you can embroider, and an easy guide on how to start an embroidery business.
So, let’s get started!
What Is Embroidery?
Embroidery is an art form, and is associated with artists and painters. The technique is now recognized as an art medium and is often used to imitate the fine arts of painting.
Throughout history, embroidery has had a complex relationship with politics. For example, women embroidered textiles in 17th century Turkey and the Ottoman Empire to protect precious items. Today, in Chile, women embroider colorful, intricate pieces called “artillery” to memorialize the family members who “disappeared” by the Pinochet regime.
Embroidery has experienced a rebound in popularity over the last ten years, a development that some authors attribute to the Great Recession.
Whether you’re looking to make a gift for a friend or family member, embroidery can help you express your creativity while enhancing your emotional and physical well-being. Embroidery requires a great deal of physical effort and patience. However, it can be a relaxing activity for depression and anxiety sufferers.
Modern embroidery has also become a popular medium for contemporary artists. For example, the embroidered quilts of Tracey Emin are beautiful examples of personal expression. Other artists have created tapestries and a Barocco dress, a favorite dress that has been admired by many people worldwide. If you’re interested in learning more about this unique and passive art form, visit Embroidery Denver CO to learn more about this art called embroidery.
What Can You Embroider & How?
Using thread as the medium for the technique, you can embroider fabric designs. You can use this craft to customize items or to cover up mends. Usually, embroidery is done with embroidery floss, but you can use other materials as well. Embroidery is most effortless when the fabric is taut. Many people use embroidery hoops to make this process easier.
The most famous piece of embroidery in the world is the Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the Battle of Hastings. It measures seven meters by 50 cm and is displayed in a museum in France. Nowadays, large-scale embroidery by computers is performed. The speed at which these machines render designs is much faster than when people do it by hand.
Moreover, embroidery can be done on various fabrics, like cotton and linen.
The embroidery process is quite intricate and requires an extensive skill set. Most stitches follow two basic concepts: stitching through the material or stitching the design on top. Embroidery is a craft with a rich cultural history and is an excellent choice for delicate couture garments. It can also be applied industrially to decorate baseball caps or athletic gear.
How To Turn It Into A Side-Gig
Because you can choose from a wide variety of patterns and looks, you can turn this art hobby into a lucrative side business. In addition, you can suit your embroidery to a specific niche or style by choosing colors that match your sense of style. For example, you might prefer earth tones if you’re into browns, beiges, and greens.
Conversely, if you love loud and colorful objects, you may opt to use the primary colors of a rainbow. Once you’ve mastered the basics of embroidery, learning new designs and challenging your skills with new projects is relatively easy.
To really turn heads with your embroidered products, you should choose a variety of stitches, as they add depth to your embroidery, which will only enhance your products. One of the most basic stitches is the satin stitch, which is very forgiving and easy to use. Use it to fill in small areas and to create shading and highlighting. Other stitches you can try include woven rose, spider web, and wheel stitches.
Once you’ve established the materials, stitching, and style of the products you plan to sell, you can begin contacting organizers to sell your embroidery at local craft shows and trade shows. This way, potential buyers can view and inspect your handmade items and ask questions about the quality of your work. Be sure to bring plenty of business cards, and a good variety of your products. Don’t feel ill-equipped if you only have one or two types products to sell.
You can also start a website store or use Instagram and Instagram Shop to open up an online marketplace to sell your products. You don’t need a fancy camera or even fancy equipment, you just need a smart phone that takes pretty good photos, with a white background (hint: use a sheet or curtain), and place your product on a table facing the sunlight. The photos will look professional and will showcase your stitching and design, while also letting your buyers be visually appealed by your products.
The Takeaway
Embroidery is an engaging and diverse hobby you can master within a few weeks. It can also grow from hobby to full-time business, if you are so inclined. Embroidery can be enjoyed by people from all walks of life and can be turned into art. So, enjoy your embroidery regardless of what it’s for!
