Embroidering your own garments: how to send in a jacket, bag or blanket
Some of the most satisfying embroidery jobs start with something you already own: a denim jacket, a work bag, a baby blanket, a robe. Many embroiderers take customer-supplied items. Here's how to make it go smoothly.
Tell the maker what it is
A maker needs to know the fabric before they quote, because fabric decides the stabilizer, the needle and sometimes the digitizing.
- What the item is and the brand or a product link if you have one.
- Fabric content: cotton, denim, fleece, terry towel, nylon, leather, knit.
- Where the design goes and how big, measured on the item itself.
- Photos, including the area to be stitched and the inside if it's lined.
- Anything in the way: seams, pockets, zips, padding, a lining that shouldn't be stitched through.
Fabric matters
- Stretchy knits (T-shirts, hoodies) need stabilizer so the design doesn't distort.
- Towels and fleece have pile; a design can sink in without a topping or knock-down stitch.
- Thick or padded items (puffer jackets, quilted bags) can be hard to hoop and may suit a patch instead.
- Leather and vinyl keep every needle hole; there is no unpicking a mistake.
- Finished bags and backpacks may not open far enough to reach the stitching area with the hoop.
Will the design fit?
Every machine has a fixed sewing field, often smaller than the hoop name suggests. A jacket back may need a large-field machine or a design split across hoopings. You can check a size against common fields with the free hoop size calculator.
Handling fees and spares
Some makers charge a handling fee for customer-supplied goods, and some ask for a spare when you send several items. That's not unreasonable: if a one-of-a-kind item is damaged, they can't replace it from stock. Ask about it up front, and if the item is irreplaceable, say so. Some makers will suggest a test stitch on a similar fabric first.
Shipping it
Pack the item clean and dry, in a bag inside the box, with a note of your name and the job. Agree with the maker on how it comes back and who pays the return shipping.
Post it
Post the job with the photos, fabric and size. Embroiderers who take customer items will bid, and the payment is held until the item comes back and you confirm delivery.