Choosing a suitable fabric is essential if you are new to machine embroidery. Not all materials are created equal: some work well with embroidery, and some don’t. In this article, I will discuss the best fabrics for machine embroidery and why they are a good choice for beginners. I’ll also explain which materials you can avoid and why, at least until you’re more experienced.
Yields Mentioned In This Post
- Heavy cotton duck cloth
- Linen
- Denim
- Felt
- Fleece
- Terry cloth
- Velvet
- Burlap
- Satin
- Silk
Why Are Some Fabrics More Comfortable To Machine Embroider Than Others
If you are new to machine embroidery, you may wonder why some fabrics are easier to work with than others. The answer has to do with weight, fabric, and fabric tension. Embroidery works best on fabrics that are neither too heavy nor too light. Very thick fabrics such as cloth or leather can be difficult to embroider because the needle has difficulty penetrating the fabric.
On the other hand, very light fabrics like sheer organza can be tricky because they tend to tear when poked repeatedly with an embroidery needle. The embroidery machine is also easier on materials with less stretch. If the fabric is too stretchy, it will distort the shape of the design as you sew. You can also break the thread when embroidering on stretchy fabric. This is especially true for fabrics that contain a lot of spandex or lycra. Knits are better for machine embroidery than knits because they don’t perform as well.
The best machine embroidery fabrics are usually medium-weight with a tight weave. These fabrics are easy to pierce with an embroidery needle and hold up well to repeated stitching.
The Best Fabrics For Machine Embroidery Are:
Now that you know what to glance for in a cloth, here are a few of the best fabrics for machine embroidery digitizing.
Woven Cotton
Woven cotton is a widespread choice for machine embroidery because it is inexpensive, durable, and leisurely to work with. In addition, it doesn’t stretch much, and heavy weights can be sewn well. Cotton tends to shrink when washed, so be sure to clean the fabric before you start embroidering.
When starting out, I avoid very thin cotton (like light, loose fabrics) because they bunch up and tear. Instead, save the gauze for decoration. If you really want to embroider on the muslin, try setting it with a stabilizer before placing it on the embroidery hoop. I like to embroider on a thick cotton duck. It’s strong, durable, and can handle embroidery like a champ!
Linen
Linen is another popular choice for machine embroidery. It has a similar weight and feel to cotton but tends to be more expensive. Linen, like woven cotton, has some stretch. It is also very durable and easy to use.
I love linen because it hides so well and has a natural patina. Also, linen embroidery is a natural choice. It can have a vintage bohemian feel. However, linen can wrinkle. So if you plan to do a lot of laundry in your final project, be prepared to take it out.
Denim
Denim is a good choice for machine embroidery. It is very long-lasting and can resist a lot of abuse. Denim also doesn’t stretch much, so your pattern won’t lose shape when you sew it. You have to keep in mind that denim
that the thicker the fabric, the harder it is to pierce with a needle. So if you are working with very thick denim, you can use a thicker needle.
Like linen, denim embroidery can have a great vintage vibe. I really like embroidered jeans.
Felt
Felt is a good choice for machine embroidery. In fact, I love sewing felt so much that I use it for all my test stitches in my embroidery designs!
Felt will not fray, so you don’t have to worry about cutting off the rough edges of your felt projects. For this reason, felt is an excellent material for many hoop projects. Another benefit of felt is that it won’t stretch, so your designs will hold their shape as you sew. This is something to watch out for because the feel is so thick that it can be difficult to pierce with a needle. Therefore, embroidering may require a thicker needle. Felt is available in different quality levels. It feels very cheap, well… a little cheap. So if you’re using deemed for home decor projects or even small items on hangers, I’d go for a wider variety. It looks better.
Fleece
Fleece is a good choice for machine embroidery, especially for frequently washed items.
This beautiful and fashionable fabric is perfect for outerwear and relaxed loungewear. It also won’t crack and will withstand repeated washings. In addition, it doesn’t stretch (too much), so your design will hold its shape when you sew.
Polar Fleece is a famous and beloved fabric these days that you can find in almost any color or pattern. The wide variety ensures that you can find nearly every color or shade to enhance your embroidery projects.
Terry cloth or toweling
Terry cloth (the material towels are made from) is a good choice for machine embroidery. This is a very durable material that is ideal for sewing. Plus, napkins don’t stretch (much), so your designs will keep their shape when you sew them.
One thing to keep in mind about towels is that the fabric can be pretty bulky. So if you’re using a really thick towel, you definitely want the project to float on the folded stabilizer rather than move around.
Trying to pick up handkerchiefs was a stupid mistake I made the first time I tried embroidering on handkerchiefs.
Also, if you are embroidering with towels, be sure to use a water-soluble surface. Or consider incorporating removable seam areas into your design. This will help prevent the pattern from sticking to the fabric.
Velvet
Velvet is a good choice for machine embroidery. It is very luxurious and has a beautiful curtain.
You can buy velvet with spandex added to make it stretchy. But, of course, the flexible version is more challenging to use than the rigid version.
If you have a very dense pile, consider changing the needle to a thicker one to help you pierce the fabric. Most importantly, be sure to use a water-soluble surface when embroidering on velvet. This will help prevent the design from sticking to the fabric.
Burlap
Burlap is a popular material for machine embroidery, and for a good reason. It is very durable and has a nice rustic look. Burlap also doesn’t stretch, so your design will hold its shape as you sew it.
The idea of Burlap embroidery can seem a little intimidating, especially on heavily exposed woven jute. If your fabric has a lot of significant gaps, your stitches won’t break up enough, so you’ll need to provide more stability.
But you can use burlap for so many great projects, from garden flags to tablecloths to rustic custom wine bags.
So if you are new to machine embroidery, I recommend starting with burlap, which is narrower and less textured because this type of burlap works best for machine embroidery digitizing without the extra hold.