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Part I: Model Stitching ~ My Story

© Lori J. Seaborg

I have been model stitching for several years now, on and off. I got into the "business" (I italicize that because there really isn't any money to be made) six years ago because I was a new SAHM (stay-at-home-mom) and wanted to find a way to use my hobby to make a few bucks. I still model stitch, but not for the same reasons. Now I model stitch because I get to choose the designs to stitch, I get to keep them, and I am accountable to the company to complete the projects. If the truth be told, therein lies the real reason -- which is that I actually have to finish projects, unlike in the days of stitching when I was only accountable to myself.

The way I got started in the business was simple. I went to a crafts store and pulled out leaflets from different publishers, assuming that somebody had to be stitching those photographed cover models! I wrote down the addresses of the publishers, created a formal letter on Microsoft Word at home, and mailed them out. Within about two weeks I started receiving replies. Some publishers replied that they only use in-house stitchers, but two others were eager to receive a small sample of my stitching. I sent off a sample to each, figuring that I would then decide which company to stitch for, or perhaps stitch for them both, if time would allow.

After another couple of weeks, the companies both replied that my stitching was very nice and they offered a kit to me. One company sent a finished kit which needed a follow-up stitching. It was an easy design to complete. They did not let me keep the design. The other company sent a preliminary kit, which had pencil markings and blue marker lines on it. There were sticky notes attached to it with additional instructions to me. I was excited with the challenge ahead! I only had four days to stitch their small needlework design (several specialty stitches), and would receive $20. Hardly worth my time, but I would be able to keep the design when I was finished (after they looked at it and photographed it), or have the option of selling it to them.

After I had been model stitching for a year or so, I mentioned on an Internet bulletin board that I model stitched. Right away I received an email from a needlework shop owner who then sent me a kit from halfway across America. I enjoyed stitching for her, as she was more flexible with the schedule and she always sent me Joan Thommason hand-painted needlepoint angels, for which I received $40 each time I stitched one. As they were to be models for her shop, I was not able to keep the angels. It was difficult for me to say goodbye to the beauties, but another one would soon come following after.