These are the materials and devices I personally have used and have experience with! Embroidery has a STEEP upfront cost and I am recommending these as essentials to starting. Overall, you can end up spending between $1,300 and $2,000 to begin making pet patches if you're starting with no materials. If you already have an embroidery machine, tablet, and computer, you can expect around $200 in startup costs
Everything is also summarized in a table at the end for easier clicking :)
Embroidery Machine:
~$400
Brother SE600 - 4” x 4” (100mm x 100mm ) embroidery frame size
I have run my machine into the GROUND from all of my failed projects and from moving. It’s effectively only good for sewing now. I will be modeling using my SE1900, but still using a 4” x 4” frame.
Digitizing Software:
~$75 full price or 30 day free trial
SewArt - I use SewArt for ALL of my pet portraits. I now compile them later in Embrilliance but I did portraits for over a year ONLY with SewArt.It’s 100% doable.
Drawing Device:
~$300-$???
A tablet or way to get your drawings into digital files–just make sure it has a pen.
I bought my Samsung Electronics SM-T830NZALXAR Galaxy Tab S4 with S Pen, 10.5", Gray for ~$700 in 2019 and it’s still going strong! I have had to buy a couple of replacement pens though.
SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 10.4" 64GB Android Tablet w/ Long Lasting Battery, S Pen Included, Slim Metal Design, AKG Dual Speakers, US Version, Oxford Gray
Drawing app
Free with ads, $2.99/mo, $29/yr
Ibis Paint
My brain thinks in the brush sizes on this app, so this is how I will be teaching. I’m positive other programs will work fine, I am set in my ways. This is also super cheap and accessible to people!
Flash Drive
~$9
Sandisk Cruzer Glide USB Flash Drive, 64 GB, Black/Red (SDCZ60-064G-A46)
This flashdrive works well with my Brother Machine. The Brother machines are super sensitive to the kind of flashdrive that will work with them. I
Stabilizer: you will need two kinds
Cut away stabilizer:
~$10-$15
You WILL need stabilizer. I recommend pre-cut 8x8 while you’re getting started (fewer things to think about up front). I personally do not recommend starting with tear away or sticky backed stabilizer.
New brothread Tear Away Machine Embroidery Stabilizer Backing 8"x8" - 100 Precut Sheets - Medium Weight 1.8 oz- Fits 4x4 and 6x6 Hoops
Wash away Stabilizer WOVEN ONLY– the other kind will drive you nuts :)
~$24
Wash Away Water Soluble Embroidery Stabilizer 12" x 25 Yards for Machine Embroidery
Thread:
~$25
This will be a good set to start- Especially if you do not want to do pet portraits! If you want more neutral colors (browns, tans, grays, etc) you can build that over time!
New brothread 40 Brother Colors Polyester Embroidery Machine Thread Kit 500M (550Y) Each Spool for Brother Babylock Janome Singer Pfaff Husqvarna Bernina Embroidery and Sewing Machines
Bobbin
$21
When you’re getting started, this doesn’t need to be where you’re putting your mental energy. They are plastic, and can be reused later! Save them so you can use them for colored bobbin thread later. They also make wonderful cat toys.
New brothread 144pcs White 60S/2(90WT) Prewound Bobbin Thread Plastic Size A SA156 for Embroidery and Sewing Machine Cottonized Soft Feel Polyester Thread Sewing Thread
Heat Bond
$8
This is “Permanent” iron-on backing. I always recommend using a running stitch to always make sure the patch stays down once it’s ironed on
HeatnBond UltraHold Iron-On Adhesive Value Pack, 17 Inches x 5 Yards, White
| Item | Cost | Description | Link |
| Embroidery Machine: | $400 | I have run my machine into the GROUND from all of my failed projects and from moving. It’s effectively only good for sewing now. I will be modeling using my SE1900, but still using a 4” x 4” frame. | Brother SE600 - 4” x 4” (100mm x 100mm ) embroidery frame size |
| Digitizing Software: | $75 | I use SewArt for ALL of my pet portraits. I now compile them later in Embrilliance but I did portraits for over a year ONLY with SewArt.It’s 100% doable. | SewArt |
| Drawing Device: | $700 | A tablet or way to get your drawings into digital files–just make sure it has a pen. I bought my Samsung Electronics SM-T830NZALXAR Galaxy Tab S4 with S Pen, 10.5", Gray for ~$700 in 2019 and it’s still going strong! I have had to buy a couple of replacement pens though. | SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 10.4" 64GB Android Tablet w/ Long Lasting Battery, S Pen Included, Slim Metal Design, AKG Dual Speakers, US Version, Oxford Gray |
| Drawing app | $30 | My brain thinks in the brush sizes on this app, so this is how I will be teaching. I’m positive other programs will work fine, I am set in my ways. This is also super cheap and accessible to people! | Ibis Paint |
| Flash Drive | $9 | This flashdrive works well with my Brother Machine. The Brother machines are super sensitive to the kind of flashdrive that will work with them. I | Sandisk Cruzer Glide USB Flash Drive, 64 GB, Black/Red (SDCZ60-064G-A46) |
| Cut away stabilizer: | $15 | You WILL need stabilizer. I recommend pre-cut 8x8 while you’re getting started (fewer things to think about up front). I personally do not recommend starting with tear away or sticky backed stabilizer. | New brothread Tear Away Machine Embroidery Stabilizer Backing 8"x8" |
| Wash Away Stablilizer | $24 | Wash away Stabilizer WOVEN ONLY– the other kind will drive you nuts :) | New Brothread Wash Away Stabilizer |
| Thread | $25 | This will be a good set to start- Especially if you do not want to do pet portraits! If you want more neutral colors (browns, tans, grays, etc) you can build that over time! | New brothread 40 Brother Colors Polyester Embroidery Machine Thread Kit 500M (550Y) Each Spool for Brother Babylock Janome Singer Pfaff Husqvarna Bernina Embroidery and Sewing Machines |
| Bobbin Thread | $21 | When you’re getting started, this doesn’t need to be where you’re putting your mental energy. They are plastic, and can be reused later! Save them so you can use them for colored bobbin thread later. They also make wonderful cat toys. |
New brothread 144pcs White 60S/2(90WT) Prewound Bobbin Thread Plastic Size A SA156 for Embroidery and Sewing Machine Cottonized Soft Feel Polyester Thread Sewing Thread |
| Heat Bond | $8 | This is “Permanent” iron-on backing. I always recommend using a running stitch to always make sure the patch stays down once it’s ironed on | HeatnBond UltraHold Iron-On Adhesive Value Pack, 17 Inches x 5 Yards, White |
| Total: | $1,307 | ||
Again, these are what I think are essentials in my opinion. I have plenty more you can buy, but these will get you to a great start!
Feel free to post your questions below and I'll answer them daily.