just curious girls,how many of you do embroidery just as a hobby?how many of you as a profession?am i allowed to ask??????

I do it as a hobby,i have always loved to make towels. I started with fabric and ribbons thanks to my friend Ines, she showed me how to make towels.I love making gifts for my friends and family, I also love my brother SE-270-D and singer futura 250. My other hobby is to paint designs on clothing with my yudo machine and cricut. I like to share ideas with others.

Mine is a hobby but do have the occasional orders which if fun I like the designing side of embroidery and make memory wallhangings for new borns. the parent love them. Did try Etsy a while back only to many people selling the same things so have stopped that till I can retire. Hugs Sally

Embroidery is just a hobby for me, but it has already raised eyebrows in our church and community and we have lots in this town that do this. I have always sewn, since 9 or 10 years to making all my clothes then later my sisters clothes. I made almost everything our two children wore for several years than started back to work.(Teacher full time- took off 11 years to raise them, then went back 22 years ago to full-time again. Retired May 2009 after 27 years, but the beating my body and mind was getting by teaching high school vocational classes was getting to me especially after being assaulted by a mom on the bus ramp because I took up her daughters cell phone! Against board policy to have one in building or on the grounds..still under Dr. care for this, but it is getting better, and over 3 years of court dealings really got me down.) Since at 60 yrs a teacher in TN can retire with full benefits at that age or with 30 years. My Dr. said take it....he wished I could have quit earlier, but the stress has greatly been reduced by me getting my Janome a year ago. It is so easy to use and so many improvements since I first looked at them in the late 80's....I have been testing out lots of freebies but they all work so well, I have started making them into projects and have given several things to my church for our mission work fund raisers and in July when we had a silent auction, I donated 4 silk-tie purses with embroidery and 3 hand made Sashiko with Japanese fabric folded flowers on them, and a quilted table runner, a pillow, and some other things, and when the totals were added up for just my things it was over $250, just from things I had made. I am now making over tin cans for storage bins with embroidery and quilting combined and other things that are recycled and reworking 'stuff'. It is fun, but when we had the last one last week, I didn't have anything 'finished' to give, but will next time. We do mission work in Guatemala and in New Mexico Indian reservations...it is like I am now able to give back, not so much in money, as I have never had alot, just enough to get by on, but with the Lord at my side, we always had enough. I thought this machine was going to be toooo much to afford but the lady at the shop gave me a great deal, cheapest price in the state that I found and even asked me to teach a BOM class for this year.(I had been saving for one for several years along with putting 2 through college, + 1 wedding and 1 getting started in a new job in Virginia.) It was nice to have some extra money to afford my habit, since retirement funds are low after no paying in for 11 years while at home....
Sewing and embroidery go hand and hand, and when I found 'cute' it was the answer to being useful again. I love being creative, but have no software or digitizing stuff so I guess I will just have to continue to hunt or find freebies, but oh....what a way to gooooo.........

You said, "This community has done more to help my sanity in the last month or so than a team of clinicians." The whole thing is you pay a doctor to be your friend and hear at the cute community we are free and have something in common. To answer your question I mostly sew garments and things for the home and for a few friends and family members. The embroidery is just for fun that I have been adding to the garments.

Embroidery is my fun & usually if people want me to do things for them I take towels, etc in exchange, not money. I do other sewing at home for work (for dogs!)

I started as hobby about 10 years ago, then I got sick and had to take a lot of time off work. I decided that because Psychiatric nursing had quite literary made me crazy after 21 years that I would create a business from it. I make very little money and spend way more than I make, but I have been sick so I guess I can't expect too much from myself. It has given me something very useful to do while I have been off work and I have learned how to build and manage my own website. I have also discover Cute in this process, This community has done more to help my sanity in the last month or so than a team of clinicians.

5 comments

by greysewist 19 Nov 2010

What a terrific story. Glad you're feeling better after joining Cute!

by ksieminskie 19 Nov 2010

nursing can make you sick most nurses that started when we did are sick unable to work do to the long shifts lack of sleep poor eating and overload of stress from trying to be all thing to all people ask my husband how I did all that without all the modern keep track devices that are available today he said something nice you are awsome but now at 60 my body all worn out fights itself and my want-to and my can-do don't match and I'm just depressed and don't do anything but cry

by fannyfurkin 19 Nov 2010

Thanks greysewist.
ksieminskie, I am so sorry to hear that, I know how you feel. It really does help to have warm hearted ladies to talk to though. It is helpful to be realistic about what you can do and try and achieve something each day. Don't forget you are still awesome,It is just time to start taking care of you. Women in general are very bad at looking after themselves, nurses are even worse at it.
Alice.

by eyeztodiefor10 19 Nov 2010

I never realized the toll nursing takes on people. Most nurses love what they do and give 110% to their patients. Ladies, I know this isn't much, but thank you. You are the ones who actually have helped people; actually cared about others more than yourselves and it is time to take care of yourselves. It is hard when you always put others needs before your own. You don't know how to take care of you. Take a look in the mirror at the person who has helped hundreds if not thousands of people in your career, smile because not many of us can say that at the end of our lifetime much less now. Be proud of your many accomplishments and do something nice for yourself every day. It could be a walk, a hot bubble bath, a look through an old photo album, your favorite scented candle, your favorite music. It doesn't have to be big like banana splits every day (smile) just a little something for you. On behalf of those whose lives you enriched with your kindness, skills and smiles I say thank you. You are the unsung heros in a war against sickness, disease and injury to the mind and body and some of those folks couldn't tell you how important you were to them at the time. Please know it was appreciated and you still have so much to offer. Remember the ones who appreciated you and the ones who couldn't respond. You reached them on a human level, something often missing in todays' world. I want to thank you for taking care of those who could not take care of themselves. Be proud, for you gave far more than you'll ever know.
God bless you and all our nurses for the wonderful job they do and have done for those in need.
Meri

by fannyfurkin 19 Nov 2010

Thank you Meri, that is beautiful.

Hobby, and I am addicted.

I'm addicted to giving all my sewouts to family and friends. I don't know how to make money and I really don't want to start because it'll take the fun out of my wonderful hobby. Stress, I don't need. LOL

1 comment

by bevinoz 19 Nov 2010

My answer exactly.
Cheers, Bev

Hobby, hobby, hobby. Totally addicted. So I make lots of things for friends and family.<br />Carol

it is my hobby, sometimes i sell something like names on sportshirts , towels or babybibs but mostly they are gifts.

i do embroidery just as a hobby ,its relax me after a bussy day or week,gr connie

Actually this is my way of relaxing or being in my own world expressing myself and trying to get rid of my insecurities. I gave most of it to my husband customers in his hvac business. I never imagine there are different color green hi hi hi. The best thing a love the people here in cute embroidery, don't know you all but you made me feel welcome.

I always made my childrens and my clothes.I loved quilting an did cushions and fancy work by hand and free motion embroidery.I used to always spy the embroidery machines at the fabric shop.
Then I found the Brother PE-150 2nd hand so bought it. Had so much fun with that.
Got talked into the big brother Innovis 1500 (way above my means)
It is only for a fun hobby. I give everthing I make away.I've always been a stay at home Mom and so have always kept busy Sewing, Knitting and now fooling with Embroidery
I have also learnt to do all the computing stuff that goes with Embroidery.Number one being able to DL and unzip and file all the Freebies.I always feel like I've Hit the Jackpot at the casino.A little embarassing I might add, that when you look you have 300+ new zip files.
My Kids are all Big now and can't understand that I keep busy Here at cute mainly.
From Bev

So far it has been only a hobby. I still feel that I don't know enough to sell. I send my sister some FSL as gifts and she was asking me if I would consider selling them. Well MAYBE.

I do it as a hobby also. i get to play around and have fun. i make alot for family and friends and give it away. I really don't like to mass produce anything, once i have made a few i want to try something different. i would sell it if I had a market or if someone offered to pay. Not many do but embroidery is for my enjoyment.
Bev

The Butt Whyy Per was a freebie from Lynnie Pennie and don't remember where I got the other one. Might have been Embroidery Designs.com.

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One thing for sure is that we are all hooked and addicted to machine embroidery. I resisted the temptation to buy an embroidery machine for years and finally in 2001,I bought a Bernina 170E , minus the embroidery plug in as I thought I would not use it. Ha!, Ha! Then in 2005, I bought a Bernina 185 E on sale $2000. off of reg price and the rest is now history. I now also have a Bernina 730E. I embroider for me , my family, friends and currently 2 retail places. I make very little money, but it helps pay for my addiction and supplies.

2 comments

by ansalu 19 Nov 2010

What do you make for selling at the retail places? I love redwork-designs cause I hate too much colorchanging :o)

by katydid 19 Nov 2010

See other comment.

Right now it's just a hobby. I haven't done very much yet. I got my Janome just over a year ago, but I had a lot of repairs, etc. to catch up on as after I broke my arm lots of things came to a standstill. Then, because of other health issues and ending up in the hospital a few times, I still haven't caught up on the repairs. If I don't get a few more done I won't feel like I can enjoy doing the embroidery.
I set something up on my machine and then had to go to the kitchen for something and my hubby was coming down the hall - I said "I'm sewing - no hands" - I love doing it and watching it as it progresses to the actual design.
I'm still learning and this site has helped a lot and I've gotten a lot of freebies (which is my kind of price at this point in time as I haven't worked since I broke my arm - very bad break). I would like to try doing a little for profit, it would certainly make me feel like I'm contributing even a little to the household as that would pay even for a jug of milk.
My only problem is that when I do something for someone else I am more like a profectionist - don't want anyone to make any comments that it's sloppy or something! Probably wouldn't happen, but I don't want to take that chance.
But I see from the answers you've gotten most of us do it as a hobby. Yeah!! Fun for all.

2 comments

by katydid 19 Nov 2010

You can stitch and sell. I started with the toilet paper covers. I made so many of them that someone suggested I should sell them. I first had them in the gym display shelves, but it was bad idea, because people don't bring money to a gym, so then I put 20 or 30 of them in my beauty shop and they kept calling me to bring more. I actually sold over 100 in a matter of about 2 or 3 months. my beautician got tired of keeping up with the money so I went around to small shops that would take consignment sales. I like this arrangement as I stitch what I want and as much as I want. You can to it too. Here are some samples.

by ansalu 19 Nov 2010

I sell embroidery cause I'm a stay-at-home-mum (no granny and the kindergarten here has not the right time for people working in retail sale) and this is my way to earn some extra money and also I'm able to organize my time by myself. This month I will earn so much as if I go to work half-time :o)

It is a hobby for me, I do embroideries for my children (5)and their spouze, for the grand children(12) and for the grand children and grangrandaughter to be born at the beggining of 2011. A little story:
yesterday my grandson Pablo(6years) was looking for toys on a catalog of Christmas, He has seen a great truck that pleased to him. he has not said "I want that you buy it to me" but he has said I want that you embroider it to me".Isn'it very nice?

1 comment

by greysewist 19 Nov 2010

That *is* lovely! He is thoughful, thinking about your way of gifting -maybe a future digitizer in him :)

I do it as a hobby. Have gone to a couple of craft fairs but that's about it. Maybe someday I'll do more but not right now. I mainly have fun, give gifts and make things for my 14 grandchildren, which does keep me kind of busy. Also spend alot of time on Cuties. Arlene

It's a hobby for me, but I do pick up orders quite often. ;0)

1 comment

by katydid 19 Nov 2010

Fun isn't it!!!

Its a hobby for me. I owned my own business for 36 years and everything I made someone brought from me. So when I retired and husband left, I brought the Elliganti for me and grandchildren. As of two months ago, I was blessed with a new Greatgrand baby, a girl, so now I sew for them. I have got to baby sit all this week for her, and can say she will be returning home spoileder. Had fun and am tired.

It's a hobby for me. But with the odd request to do something. Lets say It keeps me in supply of thread and stuff. I would really love to learn how to digitize as well.

For fun with the odd piece of requested work. Other wise I have a day job which takes up a lot of time

1 comment

by beatie58 19 Nov 2010

Me too I work fulltime, take some things to work and people then want it so that is me just a hobby really!

My embroidery is mostly a hobby. I give gifts to friends and relatives but I have sold a few items to those same people who want to give them as gifts.

I am still fairly new to it and not up to standards to sell anything. So far only doing gifts for friends and family. Need to do more for me, that was my intentions when I got my machine. I tend to spend more time on cute and collecting designs than I do stitching. At 1 a.m. last night I stitched out half of a FSL 3-D Christmas tree, sometime today I will stitch out the other half, maybe tonight in the wee hours again! I am hoping to get some FSL ornaments done for my husbands sisters for the holidays but not as Christmas gifts because we don't exchange.

3 comments

by keeponsewing 19 Nov 2010

Deb, your work is excellent and would sell. :) I don't know about you, but I find living in a small town, it's hard to drum up business because of businesses that do this, but I have a few followers that keep me busy. You just need to show everyone you know, including your hairstylist,church folks, and dr.'s offices. Word will eventually get around. Everyone keeps asking me for my calling card, so I guess that will be next on my list. LOL.

by katydid 19 Nov 2010

Yes, have some cards printed.

by ansalu 19 Nov 2010

Best way is give some of your things as a gift to people who knew many other people. Just donate something for the church or the sportclub or to a gossip that tells everybody what a nice work you do :o)
I made a lamp for Annas sportteacher and another one for Felix kindergarten worker and so on. Make a instructionpaper when you too shy for calling cards (even when you don't really need a instruction). There you can put your name and adress and the information that you take orders ;o)

Hobby mostly. But I have had some friends ask for things and I will sell to them - enough to cover materials, etc.

I got my janome for christmas 2007 and started last year with selling on DaWanda (german version of Etsy). In the meantime I had to register a trade (here in Germany we have a small limit for doing selling as a hobby; if you earn more you have to register).
The time now before christmas I have many orders and 2 machines running :o) The only disservice is that I cannot stitch anything "just for fun" and all the nwe designs I buy (like at stitchdelight at the sale) have to wait until january...
For starting or testing I think Etsy or DaWanda is great. On Ebay are too many sellers with indutrial stuff and you cannot beat the prices. On those plattforms are just handmade things allowed. The dues are not so high and you can see which articles the people buy the most.
Greetings, Bettina

I do this as a hobby. Have recently discovered FSL and love it. But I find it is a tad expensive.

I mostly do hobby, Christmas and birthday presents. Then I got hooked on FSL and made so many ornaments that I had to get rid of them somehow, so I sell those around Christmas at a fabric shop I used to work in. I wish I had the dedication and digitizing software to do this full time. :)

For me it is a hobby ..When I have to do something it takes the enjoyment out. I just do what I want and mostly give it away

My embroidery is my expresseion of my feelings. Mainly for gifts to friends and family. I do a small number of articles for sale to a friend, but always my choice of designs and colours. Of course visiting cuteembroidry takes much of my time!!!

A bit of both. Mostly though for customers. Sometimes I get time to do things for the Grands.

Hi, for me this a hobby. Szia, nekem ez egy hobbi.

It is a hobby for me. Mostly I do things for gifts, my children and some for charity. I like being able to dabble with whatever project appeals at the time. I do some for friends too, and if they give me a koha (donation) that is good, then I can buy more threads or designs ;). If I did it for a business and had to please someone else all the time it would take the fun out of it - so I'll keep it as my creative timeout. :)

I do a bit of both. *4U

Hobby- I love to embroider for family and friends.

1 comment

by sueo 19 Nov 2010

Same here

I do it just for a hobby and the love of sewing and being creative. Most of what I do is for gifts for others.

I love it too much so it's a hobby 4 me - I do a lot for charity & enjoy giving - I think I would feel pressured if I did it as a job xxx Yvonne xxx

Hobby: usually as gifts

I do it for a hobby only using it for gifts and organizations such as Project Linus. Everyone says I should sell things but I don't want to take the joy out of it and I'm too old to start a busines. Wish I would have gotten into it long ago because this would be a fun business.

For hobby, but when people ask me to do something I get paid for the job.

4 comments

by nonna57 23 Sep 2009

Same here :)

by sissibrode 23 Sep 2009

same for me :o)

by marietta 23 Sep 2009

Same for me too.

by airyfairy 19 Nov 2010

Same goes for me too.

I bought my machine 2 years ago and have not done much, but love it. Would love to do more, but are at the moment a "Grandma's Taxi" for my grand kids. Maybe I will have time when I am too old to drive a car!!!! and then will be too old to embroider ha ha ha. Enjoy your machines, hugs.

I started as a hobby, like most others who have answered this question, but now I have a small, home-based business. I combine the embroidery with custom sewing, and I have several clients who are involved with youth sports teams (the bulk of my money is made with these right now).
I'm not in business to necessarily make a lot of money, which is a good thing because I really don't make much yet! LOL But each year I make more than the previous year (I've been in business for 3 years now), so I can grow the business as much as I want or can handle. I hope to eventually have a web business too, and I'm trying to talk one of my sisters into going into business with me, but I'm still figuring out what my ultimate goals will be!

As a hobby some times I do something for a friend but charge just what the materials cost. some times I get in over my head but it is fun. I do some alterations and I embroidery for the ones I sew for.
it is so calming untill I start having trouble and then I just shut off the machine. but I love it

Its a hobby. If I didnt do embroidery I would be dabbling in some other type of craft. Machine embroidery is by far my favorite.

1 comment

by crafter2243 19 Nov 2010

That's me too

I do it as a hobby. I find that when I do something for money, I get so worked up about making it perfect, that it takes all of the fun out of it.

just a hobby and found out it is an expensive one. Wish I had more time and money to devote to it.

Just a hobby here too. As hobbies go, this is probably the cheapest one I have. Have a good week!

I got my first embroidery machine in the mid 80s. I made clothes for myself and my 3 sons. Adding the embroidery just jazzed them up a bit. I have upgraded machines several times. It's basically still a hobby. Have 8 grandkids to embroider for now, so that keeps me busy. I have done sewing and embroidery for pay but not often. I was working in an embroidery and digital design shop until recently. Business got so bad my employer had to move her business back to her house from a commercial unit. I am technically still employed but on a "she needs help" basis. I really miss using the 16 needle commercial machines. I gotta get me one of those!!!

2 comments

by ansalu 19 Nov 2010

That's what I'm dreaming of: A melco with 16 colors... When I see your avatar I thought you must be a "professional" :o)

by fannyfurkin 19 Nov 2010

I have my eye on the PR1000, but I don't think it's in Australia yet, and I can't afford it for a while.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7...

Mostly a hobby, but I did make some money last Christmas doing some toilet tissue rolls. I, too would love to make it a profitable hobby, but with taking care of my Mother all is kinda crazy right now and I do not get to sew as often as I would like to. But in time, we will see what happens. Thanks for asking such a fantastic question.

Sukirani, this is a great question! This is a hobby for me...I still consider myself a newbie at this (so much to learn). Everything I have made so far has been gifts for family and friends. Seems as though there is always a baby being born, or someones birthday, or graduation, of course, Christmas and all the other holidays. My daughter needed initials put on totes for work (they gave me a wonderful gift certificate for doing that). Sometimes "life" keeps me from my machine and as itchy as my fingers miss my sewing machine, I know I will get back to it as soon as I can. It is like seeing one of my best friends again. 4U*

I started because my husband found the Brother machine with Disney characters loaded into the machine and cards with more you can buy. So he bought it for me (we are huge Disney fans). I started by making things around the house with those designs on it, then a coworker had a baby and I thought instead of buying a gift maybe I could make one. So I purchased a plain white quilted bib and stitched the baby's name, DOB, height and weight and put a little set of footprints on it. Now all the girls I work with know that when their baby is born they will get one too, girls in pink boys in blue. Another coworker got married so I thought up a design for her, using her "colors" I did an announcement and put it in a frame.
Now to answer your ?, it is a hobby, stress reliever, I don't think I would like to make it a business (too much pressure)

I love the embroidery as a hobby which I start doing 3 years ago. Have so much 2 learn still. Am addictive in collcting designs. Always said I can use them but did not up 2 date.

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1 comment

by dailylaundry 22 Sep 2009

This is adorable!!!!!!

Strictly hobby...way too much fun to be work !!!
I do have friends that bring the supplies for a project and then I stitch it out...actually I have several little baskets of "private stock" threads and backings for a few special designs that are for ongoing projects.

I embroidery for a hobby...or should I say STRESS relief from my job! LOL

like everybody else mine is a hobby but I have done several for pay. And I usually sell the quilts I make, it keeps me in fabric! *giggle*

I do it just as a hobby. For my family and friends.

Ijust do it as a hobby, I have had a few people offer to pay me to do some things, and that is always nice, but I have found that I feel much more preassured if I am being paid, and that often leads to colossal goofs! I don't know why, but if it is an important job, the machine will bunch up or excess fabric will slip out of clips I use to keep it out of the way, and slip into the embroidery field. Anything that can go wrong...will go wrong if I'm being paid to do it. SO...I stick to doing it for fun, and making gifts for family and friends.

1 comment

by blueeyedblonde 19 Nov 2010

I hear ya! Same with me. So stick to gifts, etc.

Strictly a hobby, but enjoy entering in competitions. I will also do things for pay when asked to do so. I just like doing what I want, when I want & my family keeps me so busy I would not have time to keep up the public. *4U

Just for the Love of it, but think one day which is probably a long way off I would love to make some money out of it, but won't hold my breath.
Just want to do lots for my Grand Children really at the moment....

Just a hobby - too many other things like eating and work have to come first. sigh

Great question! I started as a hobby, but due to the circumstances, I started a website where I sell my designs, so I can send some "kozukai" (allowance??)to my son in Japan. I wish I could make this as my profession as I love this hobby!
Hugs,Yoriko

It's just a hobby. Thanks to the Cuties getting a little less expensive!!! I wish I found you 2 years ago!!

It's really my hobby and I have "work breaks"

That's when I squeeze in some housework, if I absolutely must. LOL!!!

hugs n roses, Meganne

Hobby for me, but many people requesting items so that may change in the near future. Much to learn between here and there! I shudder to think of where I would be if I hadn't have found Cute! Probably would have quit and sold the machine. I am so glad you found Cute too, Sukirani! Welcome and blessings!

I only do it as a hobby when I get time sure wish for more free time!!!

just as a hobby, wish like Shirlene to do it as profession. But this keep me busy and on the go. Special to chat to the cuties to. Love Marie

sukirani, what a great question. I do it as a hobby - but would love to do it as a profession - would love my own website - selling the items that I do embroider. How about you? *4U, shirlene

8 comments

by sukirani 22 Sep 2009

just as a hobby!may be in the future when my kids are grown up.they are a handful now.two sons.
you have got great talent shirlene. you should definitely start.my wishes.

by shirlener88 22 Sep 2009

sukirani, I do love lace and I would enjoy selling my items - but getting a website up and running it the work - if you ask me - lol. I hope - when you kids are grown - that you will be able to work with your embroidery, too.

by ansalu 19 Nov 2010

Dear Shirlene
did you ever try to sell on Etsy? I sell here in Germany on DaWanda.de and this is the german version of Etsy. I got my two machines running at the moment and I started just last year before christmas with some applications and knuddies. This year my lamps are the "big sellers" and cause of the mass of orders I took the knuddies out of the shop for a short time (they are much more work than the lamps and have the same profit :o). So maybe you will try it there? Don't know what they take as dues but it is easier than running your own shop ;-)
Greetings, Bettina

by keeponsewing 19 Nov 2010

Bettina, Sounds like you are busy... I've tried Etsy, but the competition is tough for the items that I do. I'm going to try again today and see if I can drum up some more business. Thanks for the reminder

by katydid 19 Nov 2010

What are your "lamps"? Post a photo. I am curious.

by ansalu 19 Nov 2010

Hello Katy,
cannot upload a picture here but I have them in the projects: http://projects.cuteembroidery.co...
I suppose here are so many grannys; you have just to think what another granny without a embroiderymachine would love to buy for their GS/GD. Some ideas? ;o)
Greetings, Bettina

by katydid 19 Nov 2010

I just saw them. So cute!!! Each one would be special order , I guess.

by ansalu 19 Nov 2010

Last sunday I sold 5 lamps all for newborns, some just born this day.
I have some fotos of my lamps in my offer at DaWanda; the customer sells the lamp and give me the dates (name/date of birth or of christening), the color for the fabric/thread and if he wants edging.
I made a blueprint with embird and if the customer likes it I start with stitching :o)