Fandom Your Way: Custom Embroidered Fan Gear

Fandom has always been about finding little ways to stay connected to the stories, music, teams and characters we love. I’m a fan of quite a few things myself, and one of my favorite ways to make that connection feel a little more personal is through embroidery.

Working at Mr. Stitch in Sherman Oaks means I get to see customers bring their own interests into the shop, too. Sometimes they already know exactly what they want. Other times, they just have an idea and want to figure out how to make it their own.

When the Fan Gear You Want Doesn’t Exist

Take your pick—movies, games, shows, music, sports. Some of my own favorites include Star Wars, Nintendo and Steven Universe. Part of the fun of being a fan is carrying a little piece of those worlds with you.

There is plenty of official merchandise out there, but sometimes the exact thing I want simply does not exist. Maybe I like the idea but not the garment, or I want something much more subtle than the usual design. That is when I start thinking about how I would personalize something I already own.

Of course, not every character, logo or piece of artwork can simply be copied into embroidery. If you have a fandom-inspired idea, original artwork, names, lettering and other custom elements are usually a better place to start. If you are unsure about a design, bring it into the shop or send it over, and we can look at it with you.

Be your Own Designer

There are a few things I’ve dreamed of. For example, let’s take Steven Universe. He’s a fun, lovable cartoon character. It’s not often I can find merchandise that I like in this fandom. Something I have always wanted is a jacket that shows my love for this show, but I have never been able to find something that is in my style. Here is what my idea is:

Start with a bold red bomber jacket.

On the left chest, I’d add the name “Steven” with a small star underneath in gold thread.

That would give me an everyday jacket that still has a small Steven-inspired detail, without turning the whole garment into a costume.

Fandom Can Be Subtle Too

A part of fandoms not yet covered are musicians. Our favorite singers and songwriters dedicate their lives to making songs that express how we feel or make us want to dance. I am a big fan of Harry Styles. For a Harry Styles-inspired look, I’d go for something more hidden. Picture this:

Start with a plain white T-shirt.

On one sleeve, I’d add a small embroidered cherry in red and green.

On the left sleeve, it would read “Coucou, tu dors?” in red lettering. This is a part of the ending of the song in which Mr. Styles plays an old voicemail from a French-speaking ex-girlfriend. It translates to "Hello, are you sleeping?"

These subtle details would show my love for his music subtly.

Sports, Concerts and Real Customer Projects

Show your love for your favorite team! Or mix and match fandoms. You can add your name to the back of a jersey and your favorite number. Seeing a band at a baseball stadium? Add their name and the year on the back! It's a great way to add a special touch to a jersey and create a long-lasting unique souvenir.

We made this for a customer heading to the first night of the 2023 Jonas Brothers tour in New York. How exciting!

Bring Your Own Fandom Idea to Mr. Stitch

There are a lot of ways to make something that connects to the things you love. It does not have to be loud or complicated. Sometimes a name, number, color combination or small embroidered detail is enough to make a garment feel completely different.

I hope some of these ideas give you a starting point for your own project. If you are in Los Angeles, you can bring the garment and your idea into our Sherman Oaks shop, or send us the artwork first, and we can take a look.

For more ideas, see Making It My Own: Personalizing Garments with Embroidery.

Start your custom embroidery project with Mr. Stitch.