Eco Friendly Embroidery

     Like many companies, we at Nimble Needles are looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint and help our customers do the same.  For example, we try to practice Reduce, Reuse and Recycle at our shop.  Paper is reused before we recycle - we often must print out many versions of a design before it is complete - so we use both sides of paper for draft copies.  We have reduced our need for lighting because our new shop has plenty of natural light.  When cleaning the shop, we use just dampened micro-fiber cloths with no cleaning chemicals whenever possible.

     We are also pleased to offer our customers eco friendly products, as well.  Some eco friendly items are manufactured with recycled cotton, polyester or pvc.  Others are made with certified organic fabrics - meaning no pesticides or other chemicals were used to produce the crops used to make the fabrics.  In the past, sometimes these eco friendly products were not stylish, comfortable or affordable - thankfully, this is no longer the case. By providing these items to your organization, friends, or family, you can help to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, too.

     For example, this classic style sweatshirt to the left is made with 50% cotton and 50% recycled polyester.  It will keep its shape, color and size better than 100% regular cotton sweatshirts, and at $16.99, it is also a great value (at Nimble Needles that includes a left chest embroidery using lettering only or lettering and stock design).  Click here to see details.

     Another way to reduce our carbon footprint is to stop using plastic or paper bags when shopping.  Now, it is easy to find inexpensive, reusable plastic or cotton bags. Keeping a few of these in your car is a great way to help improve the environment.  They also make great promotional items for customers and employees, or gifts for the eco conscious friend or family member.  This Liberty Bags Small Convention Tote is made with 50% recycled polyester and 50% pvc and comes in 27 colors.  This tote is $2.99 without embroidery; $7.99 with embroidery (stock design and/or lettering, 4"x4").  Click here to order.
     Embroidered fabric gift bags are another great earth-friendly choice.  Unlike paper gift bags, these bags can be re-used for years and years.  They are sturdier than paper, and we have many embroidery designs from which to choose.  Perfect for Halloween and Christmas!  Click here to Order Soon!     

     There are many other items like these that can demonstrate to others that you are contributing to global environmental awareness and improvement. Contact us at www.nneedles.com, or email info@nneedles.com for more information.

Custom Embroidery Primer

This is the first blog for Nimble Needles Custom Embroidery. Embroidery is everywhere! Look around and you will see embroidered hats, shirts, bags, socks, pillows, towels and even (although I have never done it) toilet paper! If you look closely, though, you will see examples of both very good embroidery and also not so good embroidery. If you are going to invest in having an item or items embroidered, you want to get good value for your money. Below are some ideas to help you do just that.

1. Don't skimp on the item(s) you want embroidered. I don't mean you have to buy designer brands, but choose good quality items. A good quality tee shirt, for example, will embroider much better than a lower quality.

2. Choose a design size that is right for the item you want embroidered. A standard (no larger than 4"x4") left chest design will work for almost all shirts. A large 8"x8" design (or even larger) is best suited to a jacket back whose fabric will be sturdier than a tee shirt.

3. Consider for whom you are buying, and choose an item they will wear or use. A male golfer friend or employee, for example, will most probably wear a hat, but may not use a tote bag.

4. If you are buying items for employees or as promotional gifts for customers with your company logo on them, be sure to choose items and embroidery that they will be proud to wear and that will promote your business in the best possible way. If they don't wear them, you have wasted your money. For example, hot pink tee shirts might be great for the girl's gymnastic team, but probably wouldn't work well for a team of accountants.

5. Take a good look at your design or logo. If you are going to have shirts embroidered on the left chest, a very dense, complicated design may not be best. Elements of the design may not show up well when embroidered. Lettering smaller than .25" can't be seen or read. Work with your graphic artist or your embroiderer to simplify the design so it will look great when embroidered.

Next: Eco-Friendly Embroidery

Visit http://www.nneedles.com/ or email info@nneedles.com for all your embroidery needs.