Behind the Scenes of My Etsy Shop: Embroidery, Printing & Hats
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why I woke up in a good mood
- TikTok Dance Workout
- Sales in My Etsy Shop
- Making Etsy Shirts
- Premiering Videos on YouTube
- Hooping Up Shirts
- Cutting and Stabilizing Fabric
- Heat Bonding the Fabric
- Applying the Fabric on the Shirt
- Cutting Stitches and Applying Tender Touch
- DTG Printing Process
- Folding and Packaging DTG Shirts
- Making Hats
- Lunch Break
- Working on Hoodies
- Making the Smiley Face Shirt
- Conclusion
Making and Selling My Etsy Shirts
Hey guys, welcome back to the channel! Today, I want to talk about my Etsy shop and the process of making and selling shirts. It's been a great day so far, and I thought I would share my journey with you.
Why I woke up in a good mood
I woke up in a really good mood today for some reason. Maybe it's because I had a great night's sleep or maybe it's just one of those days where everything feels right. Either way, I decided to make the most of it and decided to start the day off on a positive note.
TikTok Dance Workout
As I was scrolling through TikTok, I came across a dance called the "Gee Get Cha Cha Boom Boom" dance. It looked like a lot of fun, so I decided to give it a try. Little did I know, it turned out to be quite the workout! I ended up spending almost 30 minutes trying to perfect the dance, but it was totally worth it. I think I'm going to make it a part of my morning routine from now on.
Sales in My Etsy Shop
I was thrilled to see that I had three Etsy shirt orders to ship today. It's always a great feeling when people appreciate my work and want to wear my designs. Last night, three people placed orders for shirts from my kids' Etsy shop. Finally, after a long wait, I am seeing some sales come in.
Making Etsy Shirts
Without wasting any time, I got started on making the shirts. I had three designs to complete, and I wanted to make sure they were all shipped out today. The first shirt was one that I had made yesterday. It had a cool sea of fans design on it, and I had to locate it among the other shirts. Once I found it, I hooped up the fabric and started the embroidery machine.
Premiering Videos on YouTube
While the machine was running, I decided to utilize my time and premiere a video on my YouTube channel. Lately, I've been premiering videos at 11 o'clock during the weekdays, so I invited my viewers to join me. It's always fun to chat with my audience while the video plays, and I enjoy getting real-time feedback on my content.
Hooping Up Shirts
With the first shirt in progress, I moved on to the next one. I had to hoop up the fabric and get it ready to be placed on the embroidery machine. As I worked on the shirts, I also answered some comments from viewers and engaged with my audience. It's important to me to connect with my viewers and make them feel like a part of the process.
Cutting and Stabilizing Fabric
Once the embroidery was complete, I had to cut away the excess fabric and stabilize the back of the shirt. I used a cut-away stabilizer and trimmed it as close to the stitches as possible without cutting the shirt. This not only helps with the design's overall appearance but also ensures that the fabric doesn't fray or look wrinkly after washing.
Heat Bonding the Fabric
Next, I heated the fabric with a heat and bond light adhesive for a few seconds. This bonding agent helps the fabric adhere to the shirt, making sure it stays in place during the embroidery process. After heating the fabric, I removed the white piece to reveal a clear adhesive film. I then carefully placed it face down on the shirt, lining it up with the placement stitch.
Applying the Fabric on the Shirt
Once the fabric was in place, I stitched it down using a tack-down stitch. This stitch outlined the design, allowing me to trim the excess fabric as close to the stitch as possible. It's important to trim the fabric carefully to achieve a clean and professional finish. After trimming, I removed any excess stabilizer, ensuring that only the design and fabric remained.
Cutting Stitches and Applying Tender Touch
To make the back of the shirts more comfortable, I cut away any excess stitching and applied tender touch. The tender touch covers the stitches, creating a soft barrier between the embroidery and the child's skin. It's a small detail, but it makes a big difference in the overall quality and comfort of the shirt.
DTG Printing Process
The next day, I focused on the direct-to-garment (DTG) printing process. I own an Epson F2100 printer, which allows me to print designs directly onto shirts. I had a few Etsy orders that required DTG printing, so I turned on the printer and prepared the shirts for printing. DTG printing is quicker and more efficient than other methods, making it a great option for certain designs.
Folding and Packaging DTG Shirts
After printing the DTG shirts, I folded them neatly and placed them in clear bags for packaging. I prefer to have my Etsy orders ready a day in advance, so I'm not rushing to ship them out on time. It helps me stay organized and ensures that my customers receive their orders promptly. Tomorrow, I'll ship the orders out and make room for new ones.
Making Hats
In addition to shirts, I also make hats for my customers. I had three hat orders to fulfill, so I gathered all the necessary materials and started the process. I use value caps, and I hoop them up using hat backing and clips for added security. Making hats is a slightly different process than making shirts, but I enjoy the variety it brings to my business.
Lunch Break
After a busy morning, I took a much-needed lunch break. I treated myself to my favorite Chipotle bowl, consisting of adobo-marinated chicken, pineapple, bananas, and a variety of toppings. A delicious and satisfying meal to keep me fueled for the rest of the day.
Working on Hoodies
After lunch, it was time to work on some hoodies. I hooped up the stabilizer and prepared the hoodies for embroidery. Hoodies are a popular item in my Etsy shop, and I always strive to deliver high-quality products to my customers. I'm proud of the designs I've created, and it's fulfilling to see them come to life on each hoodie.
Making the Smiley Face Shirt
Lastly, I worked on a smiley face shirt. It was an exclusive design that had been sitting in my inventory for over two years. Finally, I got the chance to sell it. I used my hoop master to line up the left chest area for embroidery. The smiley face would be placed on the left side of the shirt, adding a touch of positivity and playfulness to the design.
Conclusion
Thanks for watching this video, and I hope you enjoyed seeing the process of making and selling shirts in my Etsy shop. It's a labor of love, and I appreciate all the support from my viewers and customers. If you liked this content, consider checking out my other videos and subscribing to my channel. I upload new videos regularly, so stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes glimpses into my business. Bye for now!
Highlights
- Waking up in a good mood and starting the day positively
- Trying out a challenging TikTok dance for a fun workout
- Seeing sales come in for my Etsy shop and feeling grateful
- Reviewing the process of making and shipping Etsy shirts
- Premiering videos on YouTube and engaging with viewers
- Hooping up shirts and answering comments from viewers
- Ensuring clean and professional finishes with careful trimming
- Applying tender touch for added comfort on the back of shirts
- Explaining the direct-to-garment (DTG) printing process
- Taking a lunch break and enjoying a favorite Chipotle bowl
- Making hats and hoodies for variety in my Etsy shop
