I have long been waiting to do a feature on the fabulous MTCoffinz, since I started ogling her slick punk/club aesthetic first featuring arm warmers and then fabulous tutus and beyond. Her collection has expanded to an etsy store and her own website, and it only seems to be growing. I love how boldly she uses her embroidery motifs, and the wicked sense of alternative style she brings to all her pieces.

Starting as just a little home project, MTCoffinz quickly expanded into a business that keeps owner Jinx plenty busy. She joins us today to talk a little about her punky embroidered creations…

What started you into embroidery?

I’d always been mesmerized by the fancy embroidery machines at the craft stores, and I have a tendency to have to try every craft I can. I wanted one of those machines — no, I “needed” one. I finally convinced my husband that we needed one, and we bought a little Brother machine, thinking we’d never need anything bigger than this. Yeah, that only lasted a few weeks. We quickly decided that it was far too slow for us workaholics and we got our first Baby Lock 6 needle machine. A few years later and we now have several 6- and 10-needle machines.

Where did you first find Urban Threads?

I was searching Google for designs that were my style, and UT was the only site that really fit.

What made you take the plunge into starting your own business?

MTC started when I had my son, 17 years ago. I gave up teaching dance and started doing little sewing jobs for friends, I’d always sewn the costumes for my dance teams. I didn’t go online with a shop until 1996, and then it was just going to be a hobby to keep me busy while my son was in school and my husband was at work. Before we knew it he was quitting his restaurant consulting job to stay home and work with me.

It wasn’t because he missed me

Tell us a bit about your shop.

What do you specialize in? As I mentioned, I’m a workaholic so I don’t just do one thing, or one shop. My main focus has always been alternative clothing. I do a lot of stuff for performers of all kinds, club wear and just people who want things they can’t find at the mall. But I like to mix it up and throw in some home decor, accessories and I even have a vegan mineral makeup line.

What kind of customer do you cater to?

Humans mostly. When I started making funky clothing I thought it was just for dancers and club kids. But I quickly learned that my audience was much wider than that. I get a lot of orders for marathon runners, famous pop singers, bachelorette parties, broadway shows, photoshoots, weddings and special events, geeky conventions, etc. I really enjoy hearing what people are using my designs for because it’s different every day.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned since you began?

Working for yourself is the best thing ever, next to coffee.

Where would you like to see your shop in one year? Any fun stuff planned for the future?

I don’t really plan it out like that. I’m more of a one day at a time kinda girl, so I don’t have many plans other than adding another embroidery machine. We’re looking at a 15-needle one this time, to add to the collection!

Thanks, Jinx, for joining us and sharing your amazing alternative creations. It just goes to show you never know what a hobby or a great love of crafting can lead to if you try!

Do you use Urban Threads designs to create one of a kind products? Want to see your story or your store featured here and join our gang of Urban Entrepreneurs? Send us an e-mail at blog@urbanthreads.com with a link to your store/website or attach sample photos, and you could be featured!