Following her education, Eglin pursued a career as a seamstress. Her skills in sewing and dressmaking were highly valued, and she supported herself and potentially her family through this work. The details of her specific employers or customers during this period are largely undocumented, however this role was crucial for her financial independence and ingenuity.

Eglin invented a clothes wringer designed to improve the efficiency of laundry work. Recognizing the potential value of her invention, she decided to patent it. However, she held back from applying for a patent, because a white woman was willing to purchase the invention but only if it was made and sold by a white person. She sold the rights for $18.

After selling the rights to her clothes wringer, Eglin continued her work as a seamstress and likely explored other entrepreneurial opportunities. Specific details about these ventures are limited, but it is probable that she continued to innovate and seek ways to improve her financial situation.

In her later years, Eglin worked as a government employee. The specifics of her role are unclear, but this employment provided her with a steady income and security. This transition could have been motivated by a desire for stability after years of entrepreneurial pursuits or by opportunities that became available through government programs.