How to Make the Leap from Hobbyist to Commercial Embroiderer

Many hobbyist embroiderers make the transition to commercial embroidery. But there are a few basics to know before venturing out into the commercial world.
Aug 4, 2008

By Steven Batts

Something interesting has happened during the past decade. Home sewing machines with embroidery attachments have increased in popularity, creating a new generation of embroiderers. A love of embroidery is driving this new segment, and many are realizing the possibility of a career doing what they love.

Home hobbyists who have transitioned to commercial embroiderers have fueled the industry for the past few years and will continue to do so for years to come. But make no mistake, transitioning takes place on several levels.

One-Off Process
For starters, craft and commercial equipment and software are different, and the outlook and attitude toward embroidering must change to be successful. Processes and practices that are commonplace among home hobbyists are unheard of in commercial circles. This is because as a hobby, embroidering is all about the process itself and the final product.

For hobbyists, if a piece takes a long time because you encounter several obstacles along the way, it just adds to the fun and gives you a more interesting tale to tell about it. I have spoken with many home embroiderers who show off their pieces and can recall every step and challenge along the way. For them, time is not a factor.

For me, embroidering has always been fascinating, but it also is my job. I didn’t learn to embroider just for the fun of it. I had to learn it to do my job as a technician. I enjoy embroidery, and that enjoyment eventually led me into my own business. The key word is “business.” While I still enjoy embroidery, it is not my hobby. It is my source of income.

Serial Production
As a commercial embroiderer, it is not about the process. It is about producing as many pieces as I can in the shortest time possible. Time is a huge factor. I want to produce top-quality work, but I won’t spend all day on one piece. You don’t make a living that way. You pare the process down to what is needed to produce a quality piece and no more.

Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy the challenge of working with different items. The difference is I don’t want to figure out how to embroider only one item. I want to discover how to embroider that item and 12 more just like it, and what way to do it fastest.

Making the transition from hobbyist to commercial embroiderer requires a change in your mindset. It’s all about production in the commercial world. If you love embroidery, it won’t matter if you do it as a hobby or commercially. That passion will show through.

Over the next several weeks, I will explore specific differences between the hobbyist and the commercial embroiderer as they relate to equipment, software and techniques.

Steven Batts, a 14-year veteran of the embroidery industry, is a regular speaker at the Imprinted Sportswear Shows. He owns Righteous Threads Embroidery, Greensboro, N.C., which offers digitizing, embroidery, machine maintenance and repair, and consulting. Call him at (336) 379-9380, e-mail righteousthreads@gmail.com or hear him speak at ISS Schaumburg in August on the following topics:

•    Conquering Caps: Tips and Techniques for Embroidering Conventional and Specialty Caps
•    Embroidery Essentials: Backings, Needles and Threads
•    Embroidery Fixes & Garment-saving Repairs
•    How to Create Special Embroidery Effects