Embroidery services as home-based business

Earl M.

What's up everybody. Me and my wife are thinking of opening a home-based business and are just looking for input. My wife's friend's sister in-law (5 hours away by car) has an embroidery machine in her house which she uses for business. According to my wife's friend the embroidery business is doing pretty good.

We're just looking for extra income, not seeking to be rich from working at home. We already have lots of space in the house especially now that all the kids are grown up and gone. We're not serious about it yet, we're just asking around at this point. Is it really possible to generate extra income doing embroidery from home? Thank you.

Marc

Welcome to the forums

In short, yes, absolutely. You may be happy to know that many commercial embroiderers run their business from home. You have to understand, however, that it's no so cut and dry. It would be easier if either you or your wife does embroidery as a hobby before starting an embroidery business.

Before even thinking of buying an expensive home/commercial embroidery machine, have you given thought of who your target customers are? do you have a niche in mind? what about competition in your area?

dartner

I have a home based embroidery business and wanted to expand. I was wondering if anyone has suggestions on good suppliers for items to embroidery-hats, shirts, robes, etc??

SunEmbroidery

Where are you located? Its best to choose a vendor who is a one day ship from you, will give you case pricing and has a good general line of the type of items you plan to sell. While many vendors supply a lot of the same products others carry their own house brands, a wide range of a particular type of items such as hats or bags or a trendier line of T-shirts or eco products. Many vendors supply different marketing tools such as custom websites so you may prefer a vendor for that reason. You'll keep costs down and save time if you can order most items from one vendor. Also, you'll be able to build a good working relationship with that supplier so they will be more likely to offer better pricing or other discounts.

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Jennifer

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nametags

Would you be paying cash or financing or leasing a machine? That matters big time.
Most true wholesalers with the best selections and brands require a state and or federal tax ID number before they'll sell to you. You can get stuff with out those, but you're limited in my opinion. How much extra cash do you have to put into this to buy some sample items. You'll be giving away quite a bit the first year or so as samples just to show people what you can do. Make sure you do hats too.
Buy new equipment for your first machine, that way you get training with it included in the price, and a full warranty. Don't buy used for your first machine and not having any experience. Again my opinion.
Check your local market you want to sell to. Ask them questions about taking on new business. Go to your flea markets and see if anyone is embrodering there. Check around town and see if there's any other folks working out of their home as well. They'll be your main competition. Check the schools to see if they require being on a state bid list to sell to the school system, most do now. And again that requires a tax #. Ask around about churces in your area, and see if they already have someone that does their stuff. Also the PTA, ball leagues, etc.
Just my advice.

MissMay

Yes u can earn by starting up a home based embroidery business. But you will have to keep in mind that even if you do it on a small scale your work must be good quality. So i would suggest you not to go for a home embroidery machine. It will be of no good. Get a professional machine; it will be worth your money. Good luck!

golden_needle_designs

I agree with MissMay. A home embroidery machine just takes too long to get the embroidery done. Buy a commercial machine. Also...think outside the box. We sell embroidery designs and several of our customers sew designs on quilt blocks and sell them on eBay, or sew them on children's clothing and sell the clothing. You may also want to consider selling embroidered items at craft shows? Good luck with your endeavors!

LFults

Hi,

A friend and I are thinking of buying a local embroidery business that is for sale. Would love some advice on what to look for, pitfalls, etc...

thx

momto3fatdogs

I will chime in also with this statement. I bought a Toyota 850. It was used & I got the same warranty as new. Many, MANY "home" sewing machines that "embroider" are the SAME PRICE as a used commercial machine. At the end of the day, if you don't make the $$ you thought you would, you still have an awesome embroidery machine. And changing thread on a home sewing/embroidery machine is a huge PITA - don't know for sure, but my Toyota runs really well @ 680 to 740 stitches - I don't think a "home" machine can do that?

I have a regular full time job & right now @ Christmas time, I have "work" coming in. This is by word of mouth ONLY. No advertising. I am talking easy gravy "jobs". LIke putting names on stockings & embroidering & making hooded towels. Yes, it's amature stuff. But I figure I'm starting somewhere & it's $$$ I otherwise would not have made.

I'm happy & that's what matters. And since I sew & quilt, it was something I wanted anyway. I just didn't NEED antoher sewing machine........

Good Luck! I'd like to see where you go with it

Sam