Do you consider machine embroidery to be handmade?

[Former_Member]

I have struggled with the answer to this question..
I create my designs from drawings. Drawings are handmade.
I also create my designs from photographs. The still life set up is handmade (stretch)?
All the designing and cutting and hooping and finishing is so prepared my my hand, I feel like it is.
Plus, I always make sure to have some details left to my hand.
What do you think?

[Former_Member]

I would class your work as handmade but I would also say, don't worry too much about it - the boundaries are very loose and depend on context. Etsy's definition of handmade may not be the same as a craft fair or another selling site.

For myself, I think a much more useful distinction is between mass produced and individually made items, as that is what separates individual makers from factories in China.

[tigerswallowtales]

I agree with Jane. Don't even think of struggling with this question. (It's sort of like Kleenex or tissue paper, Xerox or copy). While I do a lot of hand-embroidery, I also do much machine embroidery. Whether it relates to design or stitching, the final outcome is an art-form (another name for hand-made), a craft (another name for hand-made) and can't be accomplished without a creator's skills (another name for hand-made). :)

[CathyLDesigns]

I would say, "Yes" to your question. You are creating something

[FRenee2Embroidery]

It is so much work.
Yes!
So many steps and it never even occured to me.