Some create personalised gift items, which are often stitched or embroidered by hand and include soft toys displaying a child’s name and birthdate, leather clothing and apparel displaying a name or initials, and monogrammed handkerchiefs.

Sewing and embroidery are skilled crafts and proprietors generally trade either from a home-based workshop or in small retail premises. Embroidery services sometimes receive contract work from other organisations such as workwear retailers, sports shops and schools that need logos embroidered to order.

This profile provides information about starting up and running a sewing and embroidery service. It describes the skills required, the training available, the current market trends and the key trading issues. It also explains the legislation that must be complied with and provides sources of further information and support.