How To Start Custom Embroidery Business In Chicago

By starting custom embroidery business in Chicago, you can become your boss. This is because only two other cities are bigger than the Chicago in the United States of America. The population of Chicago is more than eight million people. Chicago is a popular as mid continental shopping point. It is the financial, industrial, cultural and commercial center for a big area.

What Motivates People To Start This Business?

There are several reasons for which people would want to start a custom embroidery business in Chicago. Everybody wishes to live the life of financial freedom. Some people are creative artistes and want to use their flair in a business. Flexibility in working hours is also an important feature that attracts people towards this business. Many people also enter this field because they feel that through this business they can earn unlimited money.

You must be wondering over all these reasons and thinking over them before you decide to venture into this business. The very first factor affecting your decision will be the profitability of the business. No business owner will ever start a new business unless he is satisfied that he is going to earn a good amount of money with the business. Reasons for opting for this business are that almost everywhere people have the tendency of buying embroidered goods. So your business will definitely run as the risk factor is minimal. Besides, you have the liberty of choosing the timing of your business in this field. For example you can run your business on a part time basis or on the full time basis, as per your choice.

Benefits of Custom Embroidery Business:

There are many more advantages of starting a custom embroidery business in Chicago. For example, you do not need to learn any special skills for operating the equipments required in the business. Moreover, the initial investment required at the time of starting the embroidery business is a very small amount. The products you manufacture are very easily marketable and have full guarantee for any kind of defect. When we have a look at the figures of the custom embroidery industry our determination to start the custom embroidery business gets firm. You?ll be glad to know that custom embroidery industry enjoys an annual business of US $47 billion. So the future is really bright for the people who are entering this industry.

Advent of Computers Has Made a Big Difference:

Another big benefit of starting custom embroidery business in Chicago is that you can set up your workshop right at your home. During the whole process of the development of this business you do not have to spend a big amount of money at any point of time. With the advent of computers that are controlling the machines, you job has is even further easier as you can give out good quality products that will have a high demand in the market.

Alexander Gordon is a writer for http://www.smallbusinessconsulting.com - The Small Business Consulting Community. Sign-up for the free success steps newsletter and get our booklet valued at $24.95 for free as a special bonus. The newsletter provides daily strategies on starting and significantly growing a business.

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Embroidery Thread Colors and Logo Design

When creating a logo, some seem to think that a perfect color match is absolutely necessary. However, this is simply not true. There are a great number of embroidery thread colors that can make embroidered logos look better than the original.

Consider Color of Fabric. Background color changes the appearance of the logo. The original logo is typically presented on a white background, while it is embroidered on denim and an array of cotton colors. Embroiderers can use digital software to view the logo on different color backgrounds and adjust colors accordingly.

Enhancing with standard colors. An experienced embroiderer can look at a logo and see what colors will work best. In many cases, the colors that come in the logo design can be enhanced by simply changing to a shade darker or lighter. Also using a different tone can dramatically change the appearance of the logo. In some cases, one solid color logo looks much better than multiple colors. By using one solid color, you can also save on cost. Less Colors=Less Cost. Embroidery cost is determined by a several factors including stitch count and number of colors used. The more time the machine must stop and change thread colors increases the overall stitch count of a project.

Embroiderers should use the best quality thread for the best result. Embroidery thread that is colorfast and bleach resistant is a must. Embroidery thread should also be strong and resistant to common problems of embroidery such a breaking and puckering. Polyneon thread is one of the best types of embroidery thread on the market today and is available in hundreds of colors.

Be willing to expand your color scheme to have a logo that looks good on all types of materials and all colors. Angela Oliver is a contributing author for Embroidery Authority.com, offering competitive pricing for all custom embroidered logos, apparel, and accessories. Visit http://www.embroideryauthority.com/ for more information about embroidery and some tips for logo design.

All You've Ever Wanted To Know About Embroidery

What is Embroidery?

Embroidery is decorative needlework used on clothing and other textiles. The word embroidery may come from two different places, one a Frankish word meaning braid, the other a Germanic word meaning border or edge. There are many different kinds of embroidery in the world and there is no clear concept of who may have done the first embroidery in the world. An art form with a long history in almost every culture the many styles and variations that have been created throughout the years are not surprising. However, most kinds of embroidery fall into one of two main categories.

Two Main Categories of Embroidery

There are two main categories of embroidery. The first, known as counted-thread embroidery includes styles like cross-stitch and needlepoint. All counted-thread embroidery is made by counting the individual threads of the canvas being embroidered when placing a stitch. Even textured fabrics like cotton or linen are usually used along with cotton embroidery floss to reproduce grid like patterns and pictures.

The second kind is known as free embroidery. Unlike counted-thread embroidery, free embroidery does not pay attention to the individual threads of the canvas. Instead it is able to spray freely across fabric, allowing for more realistic and less constrained designs. Chinese embroidery is an example of free embroidery.

Embroidery Embellishments

There are many different kinds of decorative stitches. Some of the most commonly used stitches are the straight stitch, the cross stitch and the knot stitch.

A straight stitch goes up and down through fabric and will tend to move in a single direction. Cross stitching is usually done by creating a series of diagonal lines going one way and then going back along the line to create turn each angled stitch into an individual x.

Knot stitches are made by wrapping thread around a needle while it moves through the fabric. The result is a tiny nub on the upper side of the fabric. It is used frequently as the center point of a flower.

Intricate embroidery has long been a sign of wealth. The number of jewels and decorations on individual?s apparel is a time-honored sign of power and respectability. Embroidery can be done with a wide range of textiles and can be embellished with almost any material. Beads, charms and other ornaments made of glass, metal, plastic and wooden can all be incorporated into embroidery. There are practically an unlimited number of ways to create embroidery and just as many accent pieces can be used for additional embellishments.

Art or Craft

Creating beautiful embroidery is both a handcraft and an art. Many kinds of embroidery can be done well after only a little practice. Many areas in the world use embroidery styles that are distinct to their locale. A study of the many kinds of embroidery shows how time and fashion has created new styles of embroidery to take advantage of modern innovations. While there are some people who use complex embroidery machines to speed up the process of embroidery, the age-old hobby will always be of interest and the finest results of the art will always be in demand. Supplies for most kinds of embroidery are easy to find at both craft supplies and fabric stores.

Samantha Brown enjoys Embroidery in her free time when she can find it. To learn more about the craft visit her Embroidery Web site http://www.embroideryhowto.com today.

Embroidery Thread

What kind of embroidery thread should I use? This is one of the most common questions we hear. The answer is simple, and difficult, at the same time.

The first thing to decide is what fiber to use. Rayon, polyester, cotton, silk, or metallic? All have their pros and cons, but basically it comes down to personal preference. I believe in using whatever threads work for your project. If it works well in your machine, and you like the effect you get while using it, then don't hesitate, enjoy it! Don't let the embroidery "police" tell you what you should or should not use in your project. As odd as it sounds, embroidery machines have preferences too. So experiment, and don't be afraid to use a particular thread just because it's not "made for that".

Rayon Thread

Rayon embroidery threads are currently the most popular threads used in embroidery machines. They perform consistently well in high-speed embroidery machines with very little breaking or fraying. Rayon is a high sheen thread, and often used as a lower cost alternative to silk threads.

Most Rayon embroidery threads are available in 40wt, though 30wt can be found without effort. A wide range of colors and shades are available, including variegated colors.

Though some brands can be, rayon embroidery threads are not generally colorfast. It is best to avoid using any bleaching agents, including those made for colors.

Stitches sewn with rayon threads are very smooth and consistent, leading to a higher quality embroidery project.

Rayon threads do deteriorate over time, so attention should be paid to how it is stored. In low humidity regions, rayon threads can be stored in the refrigerator to extend thread life for a long as possible.

Polyester Thread

Polyester is rapidly catching up to the popularity of Rayon threads for embroidery. It is a very strong and economical thread. Polyester embroidery threads won't fade or shrink in the wash.

The luster, or sheen, of polyester thread falls between that of cotton and rayon.

Polyester threads do have some give or stretch to them.

Polyester embroidery threads are available in a wide range of solid and variegated colors. Like Rayon, the most popular thread size is 40wt, but 30wt and 50wt can be easily found.

Cotton Thread

Cotton embroidery thread is available in a wide range of weights, and is suitable for most embroidery projects. 40wt and 50wt are the most common, but cotton threads range from 8wt to 100wt.

Cotton thread does not stretch a great deal, and will break if pulled too tightly. Cotton thread will fade with the sun, and shrink in the wash, so treat it as you would cotton fabrics.

Most cotton threads sold now are mercerized. This is a chemical and heat process that increases the luster of the thread. During the mercerizing process, fuzzy threads are burned off, creating a smoother surface. This smooth surface reflects light, increasing the luster of the thread. It also has the effect of increasing water absorbency, making the thread easier to dye.

Long staple cotton is finer and stronger than regular cotton. Most high quality threads are made with long staple cotton, creating a softer, stronger, higher luster thread. Long staple threads tend to have fewer slubs, lumps of lint spun into the cotton threads.

Silk Thread

Silk is an elastic, though very strong thread, and is among the most beautiful of natural fibers. It has a high sheen, and creates a distinctive look when used in embroidery projects.

Pure filament silk is the highest quality silk, as the fibers do not need to be spun; they come naturally in long strands from the silkworm.

Spun silks are made of shorter fibers. They come from broken cocoons or the beginning and end of cocoons.

Silk thread, and projects created with silk thread, can be gently washed in the washing machine with a mild soap. Bleaching agents should not be used as they can damage the threads.

In most cases, when it comes to thread, you get what you pay for. Good embroidery thread will stand up to high-speed embroidery machines without breaking or shredding. Bargain bin threads are inexpensive, but of poor quality, and will cost you in time and frustration.

Have fun, and don't be afraid to experiment with thread.

Stacy McDougall's company, Red Rock Threads sells quilting, sewing and embroidery thread online. View the Embroidery Thread that Red Rock Threads has to offer.