Meghan Markle’s latest Instagram video unexpectedly propelled a small business into the spotlight. In a People exclusive, Chicago-based entrepreneur Ann Leachman shared her shock and excitement after spotting the Duchess of Sussex wearing a custom sweatshirt from her shop, Club Chainstitch. The personalized sweatshirt, stitched with “Archie” and “Lilibet,” prompted an overwhelming surge in orders, leading Leachman to cut her maternity leave short.
Leachman’s shop, Club Chainstitch, specializes in a traditional embroidery method that dates back centuries. Chainstitch embroidery, unlike modern machine embroidery, is hand-guided and does not use computerized patterns, making every design slightly unique. The technique gets its name from the series of looped stitches that resemble a chain, creating a distinct, vintage-style texture.
Chainstitch embroidery can be traced back to ancient China, Persia, and India, where artisans used early forms of this technique to create decorative textiles for royalty and religious garments. It became a popular method in Europe during the Industrial Revolution with the invention of the hand-cranked Cornely machine in the 1800s, which allowed for faster and more intricate embroidery work. By the early 20th century, chainstitch embroidery became a signature feature of American workwear, varsity jackets, and Western-style apparel, particularly on rodeo shirts and motorcycle club patches.
Club Chainstitch embraces this old-school craftsmanship by using a vintage 1920s chainstitch machine, which requires skilled hand-guided movement to form each stitch. This labor-intensive process gives every piece a distinct, handmade quality, setting it apart from modern embroidery techniques. The featured sweatshirt, priced at $73, allows customers to personalize it with words, symbols, and custom placement, making it a truly one-of-a-kind piece.
This social media reaction perfectly encapsulates The Meghan Effect in real-time. A single video featuring Meghan Markle wearing a custom sweatshirt from Club Chainstitch has sent the small business into an unexpected boom—now with an 8-week waitlist for orders.
Users are celebrating the power of Meghan’s influence, with many highlighting how business owner Ann Leachman had planned to take it slow after maternity leave but is now witnessing a viral surge in demand. The phrase “floating” sums it up—this small business is soaring!
Fans online are embracing the moment with enthusiasm:
💫 “Meghan’s star power is unmatched.”
👏 “Happy for this business!”
✨ “The Meghan Effect in action!”
From celebrating small businesses to shaping trends overnight, Meghan continues to make an impact.
Originally a 2022 order with no indication of Meghan’s involvement, the sweatshirt’s appearance in the Duchess’ social media post became a game-changer for Leachman’s woman-owned business. Club Chainstitch, which specializes in handmade embroidery using vintage techniques, quickly reopened to meet demand.
https://www.instagram.com/clubchainstitch/
Meghan’s endorsement comes as she prepares to launch her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, premiering on March 4 after a delay due to the Los Angeles fires.
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