Why my right thumb kills

the dang embroidery on this hoody, while very simple, was really difficult to puncture through the fabric, especially over the screenprinted areas. anyone know any embroidery tips?

I plan on making more of these "recycled" hoodies. I bought a bunch of these hoodies and other t-shirts and plan on combining them with stitchery and applique. I turn to the needle arts because it is "almost the only [art] within a woman's grasp." That is what Nathaniel Hawthorne says in The Scarlet Letter, I'm glad times have changed since the 1850's. All the same, it is enriching to dabble in a lost art known only to grandmothers and Mrs. Ethel Wright Mohamed. Also, I'm trying to sell these re-invented hoodies on Etsy. We'll see what happens.

backside