Embroidery design is a needlework-based niche area of the craft and fashion industries. Embroidery designers develop, plan and produce a range of works. They may be employed by commercial organisations that produce embroidery kits, including ‘tapestry’ kits, for use at home, or they may work for themselves, running a workshop, or selling their products direct at craft markets or through contempora
ry art galleries. In the haute couture sector, there are opportunities to design and work hand embroidery. Increasingly, embroidery designers may specialise in the design of commercial machine embroidery for textile and garment manufacturers. Typical work activities include:
-working through the design process from research sketches and ideas to resolved designs for specific techniques;
-using hand and machine techniques to produce samples and finished works;
-using a variety of traditional and contemporary materials to interpret designs;
-using a sewing machine and other equipment;
-planning the layout of specific designs;
-working to a particular style or pattern, especially if employed by a commercial crafts company;
-managing marketing and day-to-day business activities if self-employed;
-producing instructional articles on projects for embroidery publications;
-teaching in further and higher education, workshops, courses and classes in embroidery techniques.
