What is the best fabric for embroidering on?

Question

What is the best fabric for embroidering on?

Answer 1

Hand or machine?



You can embroidery on anything as long as you use a design that is suited for the fabric.



Light designs on light weight fabrics and medium to heavy designs on heavier fabrics.



For machine embroidery, you need to use stabilizer.

Answer 2

Over the years, I've done hand embroidery on everything from silk chiffon to velvet and burlap. And the occasional bit of sheet metal. There are some fabrics that are easier to embroider on -- typically ones that are not extremely tightly woven and don't needlemark.



I usually start beginners on a slightly coarse cotton ("flour sack dishtowel" fabric) or about a blouse-weight linen. Easy on the hands and easy on the budget. Some types of embroidery really do need specific fabrics... white satin jean for Mountmellick; a countable, cuttable fabric like linen for hardanger, evenweave or aida or similar for counted cross-stitch, needlepoint canvas for needlepoint, etc.

Answer 3

If you are doing counted cross stitch, an even weave fabric such as Aida (woven in squares) is easier to use than regular clothing fabrics.



When I was learning to embroider with stitches like chain stitch, French knots, running stitch, Lazy Daisy, and satin stitches - I remember my mother using an iron on design on a regular white or light colored muslin and a bamboo hoop to hold it taut so that I wouldn't pull the threads so tightly that I perma-wrinkled the fabric I was embroidering on. I've also embroidered on denim jeans (larger needle for thicker fabric) and various "shirt weight" fabrics that weren't too tightly woven (smaller needle with smaller eye takes more stitches to fill in the design).



T-shirts and other knit fabrics are harder to work with so I wouldn't suggest trying them until you can do well on woven fabrics. Have fun!

Answer 4

If you are just starting out and learning the different stitches. Start like they did in Granny's day, some muslin, cotton, (something that does not stretch much) If you have a Granny around, ask her. She would be thrilled to help you and you will learn what a fun, interesting person she is. Or if no Granny is available check your neighborhood for a substitute Granny. All Grannies know this stuff.