Best Fabrics for Machine Embroidery
Here are our fabric for machine embroidery reviews
1. 60″ Canvas Natural
Natural, tightly woven fibers like cotton or linen often work well for machine embroidery. Cotton is a versatile, durable fabric that can be used for many different projects. Canvas fabric can be used for upholstery projects, pillows, apparel, costumes, window treatments, tote bags, and more.
- This heavyweight canvas fabric is made from 100% cotton
- Machine wash and tumble dry, remove right after fabric finishes drying
- Comes in 60” width
2. Telio Drake Sweatshirt Fleece
Stretchy fabrics can be harder to machine embroider, or trickier, but they can still succeed with practice or experience. There are spray adhesives that are not permanent that can also be used to keep the fabric from stretching or moving around on the machine’s stabilizer. Hoodies and sweaters, and even sweatpants can both be machine embroidered and are a popular item for businesses, teams, and more.
- Wash with cold on gentle cycle or hand wash, and lay flat to dry
- This fabric features a smooth knitted face with a soft fleece back
- This fleece fabric is medium to heavyweight, features 5% stretch across the grain, and is made from a blend of 60% polyester, 25% cotton, and 15% rayon
3. Kaufman Denim
Cotton is a natural fabric and tighter weaves tend to work well with machine embroidery. Denim can be a fun fabric to make many different apparel items from. Jean jackets, jeans, denim shirts, skirts, shorts, dresses, and more can all be made with denim. This line of denim fabric comes in fifteen different shades of blues and blacks.
- Machine wash cold, tumble dry on low heat
- This fabric is made from 100% cotton and is medium to heavyweight
- Comes in 56” width
4. European 100% Linen
Natural fibers like linen can work well for machine embroidery. If the fabric has a tighter weave, it is often easier to embroider. Linen is a versatile fabric that has many great natural properties. Linen is very versatile and can be used to make many different apparel items, as well as home décor accents, or window treatments.
- This fabric is medium to heavyweight and is 100% linen
- This line of fabric comes in 57” width and comes in over eighty different colors
- Machine wash on gentle or dry clean
5. Interlock Knit Solid
Even knit fabrics can be machine embroidered. While fabrics that have some stretch can be harder to embroider, they definitely are possible. Try using an adhesive spray to adhere the fabric to the machine’s stabilizer to keep it from slipping or moving around. Knit fabrics are very popular because they can be used for such a wide range of apparel items, including t-shirts.
- Fabric features 30% stretch across the grain
- This fabric has a soft hand, is lightweight, and is made from 100% cotton
- Machine wash on cold, tumble dry on low heat
Fabric for Machine Embroidery Buying Guide
While natural fabrics that are tightly woven work well with machine embroidery, just about any fabric can potentially work. Fabrics that have stretch might need to be adhered to the machine’s stabilizer with a temporary adhesive spray, and fabrics with a higher pile might throw off an embroidery machine, but with time, and practice, they can be successfully embroidered. Even fabrics like vinyl can be embroidered by more experienced embroidery machine operators.
Customization and Decoration
Machine embroidery can be a great way to personalize, customize, and decorate just about any fabric. Embroidery machines can be purchased for home use as well as for commercial or business use. Machine embroidering a fabric before it is turned into a piece of clothing, an accessory like a tote bag, window treatments, pillows, or other items, is a great way to add a personal, unique touch.
Cost Effective
If you plan to embroider a lot of items and you just want a single item or a small run embroidered, it might be worth getting an embroidery machine for at home use. Set up costs at businesses are usually charged per design, so having your own machine can save you money. You are then free to embroider your own items and be as creative as you would like. Since just about any fabric can be used for machine embroidery, many different lines and types of fabric can be purchased on just about any budget that is set.
Recommended Reading:
- Chapter 1: The 7 Sewing Essentials for Beginners
- Chapter 2: The Beginner’s Guide to Sewing Machines
- Chapter 3: The Ultimate Guide to Setting up your Sewing Room
- Chapter 4: Everything You Need To Know About Sewing
- Chapter 5: Sewing Fabric 101: A Virtual Tour of the Fabric Store
