Peoples embroidery

Peoples embroidery

Written by Michelle Davis Friday, 07 July 2006

Embroidery business dedicated to personal service

Tracey Peoples, owner of Peoples Embroidery, has always been a seamstress. When her husband Larry helped form the Sam Bass Baseball League of Round Rock in 1981 and wanted to create new and different uniforms, her skills were put to the test.

“I sewed every letter together on my Singer before putting them on uniforms and hats,” Peoples said. “I sat there at my dining room table and sewed hundreds of hats and uniforms for baseball leagues. After a few years, we added a lady to help who had an industrial machine. Then, we realized that we could do a more consistent job with our own commercial machine.”

The Peoples bought an embroidery machine in 1997. The investment made sense not only to Tracey, but also to Larry, owner of Precision Screen Graphics in Austin since 1986. Precision customers requested embroidery, and it served as an offshoot to the screen-printing business.

She opened her own store in Round Rock in 1999, but moved to Pflugerville Plaza three years ago. She attributes experience as a seamstress to the quality of her work.

“Even though it’s all computerized, I still deal with different fabrics, threads, and backings,” Peoples said. “You have all these different variables that you have to watch every time you sew because you’re going to make small adjustments.”

She has created logos for business shirts, made gym uniforms, PTA shirts and booster club fundraising blankets for schools. She embroiders altar cloths for churches, works with interior designers on draperies and upholstery as well as collaborates with individuals for personalized gifts.

Peoples enjoys a challenge tackling even the most delicate wedding veil.

“I do like a challenge and as a small embroiderer I am able to do those custom items,” Peoples said. “Sometimes the most exquisite and expensive material is just nerve racking to work with, but it’s fascinating, and conquering the challenge is what makes it so fun.”

A small area of her store is dedicated to retail items such as initialed towels, personalized blankets, baby gifts and bags. She would like to stay in Pflugerville, but she wants more space for that section to grow.

“There isn’t a local embroiderer in the area so I would like to stay here,” Peoples said. “I want to expand the retail division and my production area so I can do more custom jobs while still servicing individuals and small businesses.”

Peoples Embroidery, 15606Spring Hill Lane, Pflugerville, TX 78660, 512-260-7854 www.peoplesembroidery.com.