Starting a new home business can be hard.  In most things, there is often a lot of competition.  Not to mention start up costs can be high.  In the craft business, however, there are many options.  If embroidery is your thing, there might be an alternative that you have not though of – personalized patches.

Patches are very versatile.  Kids can use them to decorate jackets and back packs.  Teams or clubs can use them to personalize uniforms.  Business can use them to add permanent nametags for employees.  They can come in a variety of size, colors, shapes, and graphics, so it is easy for customers to find the exact product that they are looking for.  They can promote everything from favorite bands to favorite pets.  Plus, since they are smaller in size than other projects, they can be completed quickly for fast turnaround times.

The materials for patches are simple.  You will need:  felt for backing (a light color will often work best), your design chart, waste canvas, embroidery floss in the appropriate colors, a needle that is strong and sharp enough to go through felt, and scissors for cutting.  If you are planning on making several patches of the same design, remember to buy extra thread.  Slight color differences may occur between dye lots that could affect the final product.  An embroidery loom is helpful to keep your design from moving, but not essential.

To create patches, first you will need a design.  Designs are available from a number of places – books, online, or craft store patterns.  Or, if you are extra creative, you can design your own.  A simple design will be easier to stitch for beginners, as you get used to the concept you can try more complicated ones.  Choose colors that complement each other.  For example, if your stitching subject is dark, choose a lighter background felt for more contrast.

Cut the felt in the shape that you want, only make it several inches larger.  For example, if your finished patch is going to be 2 inches by 3 inches, cut your felt to be 4 inches by 6 inches or larger.  This will make it easier to hold or use in an embroider loom, making it easier for you use.  You will cut away the excess when you are finished.

Cut your canvas slightly larger than your design, but not quite as large as the piece of felt.  Attach the two together by making anchor stitches in all corners, or along strategic points if you are not using a linear shape.

Keeping the fabric straight with the canvas, carefully stitch your design along the waste canvas grid.  Make sure that you are going all the way through the felt to the other side.  Upon completion, cut the sides of the canvas and pull out canvas threads.  Be very careful not to cut the threads you stitched in!  When you have finished removing the canvas your design should remain stitched directly onto the felt.  The felt can then be trimmed along the edges of the design, leaving only a small amount all the way around.  It essential that you use caution when doing this. You do not want to cut any of your stitched areas and cause the project to unravel.  The patch is now ready to be sewn onto whatever you would like!

When creating patches to sell, you may find it helpful to stick to a few designs, and just use personalization items such as adding a name to them.  This can allow you to stitch designs in your spare time and add embellishments as needed.  Or you can allow clients to submit their own designs and create an individualized patch each time.

Advertising patches is easy to do too – they are so portable!  Patches can be attached to anything that can be sewn, so you can take them with you everywhere.  Consider attaching patches to jackets, bags, jeans, etc. so that you can show them off.  Remember to take business cards with you as well so that you can hand them out to interested shoppers.

Patches may be just the answer you were looking for when searching for the perfect embroidery business.  With some supplies and some creativity, you can have a booming business up in no time.

Related posts:

1. Stitch your Business Niche with Embroidery: Try Photo Cross-Stitching!
2. The Details of Digitizing and What It Can Mean for your Embroidery Business
3. EBay your way-how to be profitable selling your crafts online
4. How to Turn Monogramming into a Nice Embroidery Business
5. What You Need to Set Up Shop at Home for your Embroidery Business

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

Trackback URI | Comments RSS