Embroidering clothes is a very interesting thing because it make an ordinary clothes into a personalized clothes. For embroidery newbies, clothing embroidery is much easier than hat embroidery. For shop owners who run a custom embroidery business, custom embroidery on clothes is one of the easiest ways to make a profit.

In fact, clothes embroidery is very popular and we always have many customers who ask questions about clothes embroidery.  Therefore, this article will focus on clothing embroidery. If you are interested in embroidering clothes or want to make money from it, you can take a look.

The following will be mentioned:

#1 Which clothes can be embroidered

#2 How to pick an embroidery pattern

#3 What embroidery supplies need to be prepared

#4 How to hoop clothes properly

#5 The process of embroidering clothes

#6 How to care for embroidered clothes

#7 How to make money from clothing embroidery

#1  Which clothes can be embroidered

When asked what kind of clothes can be embroidered with an embroidery machine, we always say that it can be embroidered as long as it can hoop the clothes. In fact, there are many types of clothes that can be embroidered, such as polo shirts, T-shirts, shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, jeans, dresses, etc., all of which can be embroidered.

In theory, almost all clothes can be embroidered. However, the difficulty of embroidery varies depending on the type of clothing. Not all clothes are suitable for embroidery. Generally speaking, the following types of clothes are not suitable for embroidery:

-Highly elastic clothing

Generally, elastic fabrics can easily cause embroidery failure. During the embroidery process, when the needle pierces highly elastic clothes, it is very easy for threads to loosen, needles to get stuck, or stitches to skip. Therefore it is difficult to guarantee the quality of embroidery. Even if the embroidery pattern is successfully embroidered on the cloth,deformation and distortion are likely to occur. Therefore, it is not recommended to embroider  on clothes with high elasticity such as stretch sportswear and swimsuits.

-Clothing with uneven surfaces

Many clothes have complex textures or wrinkles, which prevent the clothes from being well fixed during embroidery. Therefore,  inaccurate embroidery may occur. Besides, delicate dresses should not be embroidered with an embroidery machine. Because the dress has various decorations on its surface. These uneven decorations can easily hinder the operation of the embroidery machine and cause damage to the clothes.

-Overly heavy clothing

Usually embroidery machines are more suitable for embroidering thinner clothing. Embroidering heavy clothing will not only increase the difficulty of embroidery, but also slow down the embroidery speed. In addition, if you are using a not powerful embroidery machine, the embroidery needle may not be able to penetrate these heavy fabrics. This will lead to problems such as needle jamming and broken needles, and even affect the normal operation of the embroidery machine.

-Very thin or transparent clothing

For extremely thin or transparent fabrics, such as silk or lace. Due to the particularity of its material, it is easy to cause  the fabric to be scratched or deformed during the embroidery process. This not only affects the embroidery effect, but also easily damages the clothes.

-Valuable clothing

You know, machines cannot guarantee 100% success. In the event of any malfunction, there is a high chance that the clothes will be damaged. Therefore, it is not recommended to use an embroidery machine for embroidery on those expensive clothes. Otherwise not only may you not get the embroidery results you want, but you may also unfortunately lose valuable clothing.

Here's a tip: After you pick out the clothing you plan to embroider, remember to wash it before embroidering to ensure it won’t fade or shrink. Otherwise, you may find that your time and effort was wasted after the embroidery is done.

#2 How to pick an embroidery pattern

Choosing the right embroidery pattern is the prerequisite for getting a perfect embroidery work. In a sense, if you choose the pattern well, you are already halfway there. So before embroidering, you need to choose a suitable embroidery pattern for your clothes.

Firstly, you can determine the type of embroidery pattern according to your needs. For example, text, cartoon images, flower patterns, etc. But remember to consider the matching of the pattern with the embroidered clothing.

Secondly, you need to consider the size of the pattern based on the location of the embroidery. For example, you may want to choose a relatively small pattern on the cuffs of the dress, while you can choose a larger pattern on the back of the dress.

Thirdly, when choosing a pattern, remember to consider the color. Please make sure that the base color of the clothes matches the color of the embroidered pattern. Otherwise the embroidery results may be poor.

In addition, if you are a beginner, we recommend that you choose some simple patterns to embroider first, and then try complex patterns after you become proficient.

#3 What embroidery supplies need to be prepared

-1 Embroidery Needle

As we all know, embroidery needles are essential for embroidering clothes. Choosing the right embroidery needle can not only ensure the quality of embroidery, but also improve the precision and beauty of embroidery. This reduces the occurrence of embroidery failures and improves embroidery efficiency. Improve your embroidery experience to a great extent.

There are many embroidery needles of different types, sizes, and materials on the market. Which needle you choose actually depends on the type of clothes you want to embroider, and different  clothes require different needles.

-2 Embroidery threads

Embroidery thread is the basis of embroidery. It directly determines the texture,color vibrancy and detail presentation of the embroidery work. If you want to complete a perfect embroidery work, then you must pay attention to the embroidery thread.

Selecting embroidery thread may be more complicated than selecting an embroidery needles. In addition to considering the material, specifications, and weight, you also need to consider the color, the matching of the bottom thread  and the top thread, etc. we won’t go into details in this article.

Here's a tip: Make sure your embroidery thread is colorfast, if you're not sure, we recommend taking a piece of thread and wetting it, then placing it on a white paper towel to see if any color stains the paper towel.

-3 Stabilizer

Stabilizer is a kind of auxiliary material used when embroidering clothes. It can provide support to the fabric, prevent the fabric from being punctured, deformed or moved, and make the embroidery area flatter. When embroidering clothes, choosing the appropriate  stabilizer as an auxiliary tool can greatly improve the quality of the embroidery.

There are three main types of  stabilizers: cut-away, tear-away, and wash-away. Generally speaking, the clothes we often use for embroidery, such as T-shirts, sweaters, Polo shirts, etc., can use cut-away  stabilizers. However, due to different needs and usage habits of each person, the other two  types of stabilizers are also often used.

-4 Embroidery hoop

Embroidery frame is an auxiliary tool used to fix fabric and keep it flat. Not only can it effectively prevent clothes from loosening or wrinkling, but it can also help ensure the accuracy and stability of embroidery. At the same time, the embroidery hoop also plays an important role in positioning. You can determine the embroidery range of the embroidery machine on the fabric by adjusting the position and size of the embroidery hoop.

The size of the embroidery hoop is important when embroidering with an embroidery machine. Remember, try to choose a small embroidery hoop,  just slightly larger than the embroidery pattern. Because the larger the embroidery hoop, the larger the area that will be hooped, and then the center area will be difficult to tighten. This will not only increase the difficulty of embroidery, but also easily cause embroidery malfunctions.

-5 Other tools

In addition, there are also some small tools that you may be needed, such as scissors, marking tools, and gauges. As for the specific tools you need to prepare, you can decide according to your personal habits, the model of embroidery machine used and the embroidery project.

#4 How to hoop clothes properly

It is necessary to hoop the clothes before embroidering, it can save you a lot of trouble. If you want to have a good embroidery experience, then be sure not to ignore this.

Here are the steps for proper hooping:

-Step one

Choose the appropriate embroidery hoop size. On the premise of ensuring that the embroidery hoop can completely cover the embroidery pattern, try to choose a smaller embroidery hoop. After selecting the embroidery hoop, properly loosen the screws on the top of the embroidery hoop and split it into two matching hoops:the inner hoop and the outer hoop.

-Step two

Choose a suitable stabilizer, cut it to the right size and shape according to the size of the pattern and place the cut stabilizer on the inside of the garment and make sure it is aligned with the embroidered area.

-Step Three

Place the inner hoop inside the garment so that the embroidered area lays flat on the inner hoop, while making sure that the embroidered area is centered on the inner hoop.

-Step Four

Place the outer hoop on top of the inner hoop of the laid out garment while aligning the outer hoop with the corresponding position of the inner hoop. Next, press the outer hoop downward and tighten the screws on the embroidery hoop appropriately to ensure that the garment is evenly clamped.

-Step Five

Press down on the embroidery hoop while pulling the fabric around the edges of the hoop outward with a little bit of force, which will tauten the garment better. But remember not to press too hard or the garment may pop out and then you will need to re-hoop it.

#5 The process of embroidering clothes

The process of embroidering clothes may be familiar to those who are experienced, but for many newbies, this may still be confusing.

General speaking, embroidering clothes has the following main components:

-Preparation

There are actually a lot of preparations that need to be done in advance before you officially start embroidering. You need to select and prepare all the materials and tools needed for embroidery, as those mentioned above. In addition, you also need to check and tune up the embroidery machine,such as threading, testing the tension and so on.

-Fixing clothes

The next step is the process of operating the embroidery machine. First of all,you need to hoop the embroidery clothing in the  right way, and then fix the embroidery hoop to the embroidery frame of the machine, making sure it is firmly stuck.

-Importing embroidery patterns

If you choose the pattern that comes with the embroidery machine system, then it is very simple to select the corresponding pattern on the machine. If your embroidery pattern is downloaded through the network or designed by yourself, then you need to import it into the machine through certain ways, such as WIFI, USB.

Please note that you must ensure that your embroidery patterns has been converted to a file format compatible with your embroidery machine. such as, DST, PES, XXX and other file formats. If it is not in these file formats, you can either utilize the embroidery software to achieve this or purchase it directly from a professional design team.

-Operate the machine

After installing the embroidery hoop into the embroidery machine, it is recommended that you first operate the machine to move the frame. This not only helps you see the final embroidery range in advance, but also ensures that the embroidery range does not exceed the embroidery hoop, thereby avoiding the risk of damaging the embroidery hoop and clothing.

At the same time, you need to adjust the embroidery settings on the embroidery machine according to the embroidery pattern and the characteristics of the clothing. Such as color, speed, etc. After completing all embroidery settings, start the embroidery machine to embroidery.

-Finish embroidery

Pay attention to the embroidery process and wait for the embroidery machine to complete the embroidery. If any abnormality is found during the embroidery process, please shut down the embroidery machine in time. After confirming that the embroidery machine has completed embroidery, cut off the power and remove the garment from the embroidery machine. This will be safer.

-Organizing clothes

After the embroidery is completed, there are usually some threads exposed on the surface of the clothing. We recommend using small scissors to trim these threads to ensure a clean surface. Also, if there are wrinkles in the embroidery, you can use an iron to smooth out the wrinkles.

#6 How to take care of embroidered clothes

When you've finished your embroidery, you also need to consider how to maintain the clarity and delicacy of the embroidery design. This involves nursing issues. If you're still not sure how to care for embroidered clothes, take a look.

-Hand wash or gentle wash

For embroidered clothing, it is best to hand wash or use a gentle washing program. Avoid using strong detergents or bleach, which may damage the embroidery threads or colors. It is recommended to use a mild detergent, apply it evenly to the clothes and wipe gently with a soft sponge or cloth.

-Low temperature washing

Some embroidery threads are  easy to fading, breaking or deforming under higher water temperatures. Such as cotton thread, and silk thread, etc. In addition, the fabrics of some clothes, such as woolen sweaters, tend to shrink under high temperatures. Therefore, it is best to wash embroidered clothes in cold water or low temperature.

-Avoid wringing

After washing, it is recommended to gently pick up the embroidered clothing. You can use a clean towel to gently absorb the excess water, but do not wring the clothes too hard. Because it is easy to distort the embroidery pattern.

-Avoid sunlight exposure

Ultraviolet rays from the sun can accelerate color fading and aging of embroidery threads,  especially dyed threads or natural fiber threads. Avoiding sun exposure can extend the life of embroidery thread and maintain the brightness of embroidery patterns. It is recommended to dry the embroidered clothes or lay them flat to dry in a ventilated place. Also, avoid using the dryer to avoid shrinkage of the clothes or damage to the embroidery.

It should be noted that the care of clothing after embroidery may vary due to factors such as the material of the clothing and the material of the embroidery thread. If you have special requirements or needs, you can seek advice from a professional cleaning shop.

#7 How to make money with clothing embroidery

In fact, custom embroidery business is a very profitable project. This is why many people choose it. If you are skilled in clothing embroidery, then you can absolutely  use it to make a considerable income. So how do you make money with embroidered clothes? Don’t worry, I will explain in detail below.

-Product

The first thing you need to figure out  is what you want to sell. Generally speaking, there are two ways to make money with embroidered clothes: one is to take custom orders with customers' specified design requirements, and the other is to sell clothes that you design and embroider yourself. The former relies more on your production capabilities, while the latter relies more on your design capabilities. You can choose according to your own situation.

-Price

Price is a very important factor, it will directly affect your income, so be sure to price it reasonably.

Usually, cost is the first consideration in pricing. In fact, the simplest way to price is to add the profit you want to make to the cost. It should be noted here that cost refers not only to the cost of materials, but also to other factors such as labor, equipment, transportation, and packaging.

In addition to cost,  such as the market demand situation, the consumption habits of the target customers, sales channels and so on.  These cannot be explained clearly in just a few paragraphs, but our suggestion is: consider as many aspects as possible, the more comprehensive the better. 

-Channels

After you have determined the products to be sold and the corresponding prices, you also need to consider where to sell them.  At present, there are mainly the following channels:

• Physical store: In fact, opening a clothing store or embroidery shop is  an option for  many people. The biggest advantage of such a physical store is that it can fully display embroidery and provide try-on services.
• E-commerce trading platform: In addition to opening an offline physical stores, you can also sell clothes by opening online stores on e-commerce trading platforms. such as Amazon, Etsy, etc. The advantage of this channel is that it can cover more customer groups and the cost of opening a store is lower.
• Social Media: Additionally, social media platforms are also a great sales channel. You can publish dynamic information through social media platforms such as Facebook, Youtube, and TikTok to guide customers to purchase online or offline stores.

-Promotion

If you want to better attract customers and improve your competitiveness. You might consider using promotions. You can find some gimmicks such as festivals,  releasing new products, etc. to implement some price discounts, or plan some promotional activities such as draws, giveaways, etc. to attract customers to buy. In fact, there are many ways to promote sales, and you can implement them according to the actual situation.

Well ,that's  all the content of this article. I hope you can handle embroidery on clothes easily after reading this. . If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us, we are always here.