Amidst the hustle and bustle of the urban neighborhood of Capitol Hill, Glossier Seattle has nestled itself. Glossier is one of the leading beauty brands known for their “Our Skin First. Make Up Second” philosophy and is known for celebrating freedom of expression, individuality, and having fun. We were fortunate enough to support Glossier Seattle during one of their big sale events and it was such a memorable experience. Our assignment? Personalize Glossier merch—their original pink hoodie and utility bag—for walk-in customers, live and on the spot.

We set up our embroidery station right in front of their iconic “moss-covered boulder with mushrooms and flowers,” next to the Patch Station. This replica, an homage to the Pacific Northwest, lush exterior mountains in every direction, a natural playground is part of the store’s aesthetic. The light pink roses scattered around the space, though? Totally real. We’d never seen blooms that large before—they were stunning.

We’ve been embroidering hoodies and selling them on Etsy through our EmbroiderrificNW Shop since 2017. Our go-to placement has always been the front left or right chest area, so naturally, that’s what we packed for—tools and supplies tailored to that layout.

But as soon as we were set up, Hazel, Glossier’s amazing store manager (seriously, she’s a gem), asked us to create a sample for display. She chose the cursive style in white thread and requested the name be stitched on the left front side of the hood—not the chest. At first, we were surprised. But it made perfect sense: the “Glossier.” print was already front and center, and the hood offered a fresh, stylish canvas.

Thankfully, we’ve done enough live embroidery events to know that surprises are part of the game. We always bring backup tools and supplies for contingencies—and this time, they saved the day. That sample hoodie turned out so chic. The white thread paired beautifully with the old rose shade of the hoodie and echoed the white Glossier logo perfectly.

That one sample set the tone for the rest of the day. Almost every customer asked for the same combo: cursive script in white thread, stitched on the hood. It became our signature look for the event.

Two orders stood out the most. One was a set of matching hoodies for a group of sorority sisters—they were beaming when they picked them up. The other was a tote bag embroidered for Archie, a ridiculously cute dog who was off getting groomed while his owners shopped. Yes, Archie got his own custom merch.

If you haven’t seen a Glossier hoodie or tote bag in person, I highly recommend visiting a store. The hoodies are incredibly well-made—smooth fleece, tightly woven fibers, and zero pilling. They’re warm without being bulky, which is a rare combo.

This event reminded me how powerful a single sample can be. One thoughtful design can spark a whole wave of creativity—and connection.