When it comes to hand and machine embroidery, it can be mind-boggling to figure out which is the best fabric to use. It is often difficult to find straight answers on which fabric is the right fabric, and while there are a lot of suitable fabrics to use, everyone has their favorite embroidery fabric to use.
For both beginners and active embroiderers, the right fabric makes a world of difference, helping the embroidery process be more comfortable, and the pieces to hold up better once the project is done.
So, which is the best fabric to use for embroidery? Embroidery fabrics need to be woven, to accommodate the stitches of the embroidery. Fabrics suitable for this include Evenweave fabrics, Aida cloth, Hardanger fabric, and toweling. There are other fabrics to use, but these are the most popular. These four fabrics are suitable to be used for both hand and machine embroidery.
The different fabrics have different square counts and fiber contents, and what you decide to use will depend on the project you are doing and the thread you are using. However, knowing a bit about each of the different fabrics will help you decide which is best for you!
The 7 Best Fabrics For Embroidery
We have found the best 7 fabrics to use for both hand and machine embroidery, to help make choosing the right fabric a little easier for you, and to save you going through some bad fabric experiences!
Here are the best 7 fabrics to use for embroidery:
| Rank | Product | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Caydo Classic Reserve Aida Cloth | 4 pieces, pre-cut, natural cotton |
| 2. | JustDoLife Cross Stitch Fabric | 59 inches by 39 inches, durable cross stitch fabric |
| 3. | Exceart Cotton Linen Craft Fabric | Cotton and linen craft fabric, 7 pieces |
| 4. | Pellon 300 Thread Count Cotton Fabric | 100% natural long staple Indian cotton, 20 inches by 24 inches |
| 5. | Natural Linen Needlework Fabric | Natural linen, 4 pieces, vegan and chemical-free fabric |
| 6. | White Cloth Stitch Fabric | 4 pieces, 17 inches by 11 inches, pure white cotton blend |
| 7. | Charles Craft Evenweave Cloth | 28 count Aida cloth, 20 inches by 24 inches |
1. Caydo Classic Reserve Aida Cloth
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Aida cloth is a great choice for many embroidery projects. It can be used for both machine embroidery and hand embroidery, so the 4 piece pack will get you through some great projects.
The cloth is made from natural, pure cotton. The embroidered cloth size measures 12 inches by 18 inches, which is the most commonly used sized which is suitable for many different scenes.
Having the cloth pre-cut really saves you time measuring and cutting yourself, and it ensures the edges are even and don’t fray, however, you can cut the cloth into your own sizes and shapes that you might need for your project.
You are also able to embroider stitch the cloth easily without a hoop, and the cloth can easily be rolled up or folded and traveled with.
Caydo has done well to offer the Aida cloth which really is incredibly suited for the best embroidery experience and results!
2. JustDoLife Cross Stitch Fabric
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This embroidery cloth from JustDoLife if great to make your own craft cloth for whatever project you might be planning next.
Measuring 59 inches by 39 inches, there is more than enough embroidery fabric to undertake a number of smaller projects, or one or two larger projects. The cloth is easy to cut and will not fray or break on the edges.
The high-quality material allows for fine workmanship and is really easy to embroider on. The material is durable during and after use.
The cross stitch fabric can be used for both hand and machine embroidery, and other needlework applications as well.
3. Exceart Cotton Linen Craft Fabric
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This 7 piece set of craft fabric is a great starter pack for beginners. It is suitable to use in embroidery to make backpacks, table cloths, pillows, handbags, and many other crafts.
The fabric can be cut and spliced to suit the project you are working on, and the 7 piece set comes in different colors to liven up projects and pieces of work.
The quality is able to uphold and withstand against embroidery and use afterward.
All the 7 pieces are made from natural cotton and linen material, and while it is suitable for embroidery, it is light, breathable, and still durable.
4. Pellon 300 Thread Count Cotton Fabric
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Embroidery material does not get softer than this without being unsuitable to handle needle and thread work.
The fabric is very soft and drapes beautifully, and has a subtle sheen to it which makes it a great option for baby bedding and decorative pillows.
The 300 thread count is made from 100% natural long staple Indian cotton, making it super soft.
There is one piece of embroidery fabric that measures 20 inches by 24 inches in the pack, which is a good size to use for many different projects.
It is a great quality embroidered fabric, and it is best suited for hand embroidery, although it can be used for machine embroidery as well.
5. Natural Linen Needlework Fabric
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In this set, you will find 4 pieces of natural linen fabric, all with solid colors. The large quantity of fabric in the pack will help you meet your different embroidery needs.
Made from mixed canvas fabric, the embroidery material is soft, with a natural handle, while not being too rough.
The pieces of the fabric are natural flax color and seeded, making it a vegan, chemical-free fabric.
The Aida cloth pieces are ideal for hand and machine embroidery, as well as for many other applications, and the material can be used to create curtains, crafts, backpacks, and so many other projects.
The average size of the linen fabric pieces is 20 inches by 20 inches, which is the most commonly used fabric embroidery size, and the four different natural colors give you a good range of embroidery projects you can undertake.
6. White Cloth Stitch Fabric
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The material used to create the 4 pieces in the set is a cotton blend, and the dimensions of each piece of embroidery fabric measure 17 by 11 inches.
As the material is pure white, it allows other colors of the embroidery thread to pop and show up really easily on the fabric. The cross stitch fabric is soft and wear-resistant and is incredibly easy to clean if there are any spills or stains.
The embroidery cloth can be used with or without a hoop, depending on what you are comfortable with, and is suitable for machine and hand embroidery.
The 4 pack of material gives you enough fabric to undertake a few different projects, and you can cut the material down to size if you need to.
7. Charles Craft Evenweave Cloth
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This premium fabric is very suited to be used for both machine and hand embroidery and is such a wonderful fabric to work with.
Being a 28 count Evenweave Monaco Aida cloth, it is a great choice for different embroidery and needlework applications and can be cut and sized to suit your project and craft needs.
The Monaco 28-count fabric can be stitched over 2 threads.
The size of the cloth measures 20 inches by 24 inches and comes in antique white.
Antique white is a little more subtle than normal white, giving the cloth a more aged look, while still allowing the colors of the thread to pop and really stand out on the fabric.
The fabric is slightly stiffer than softer versions of cross stitching fabric, but it is a good material to hold and embroider with.
It is a top-quality material that is wonderful to embroider with, and you can trust it to hold your artwork securely.
Related Questions
Can I use cotton for embroidery?
You can use cotton for embroidery, but it depends on the type of cotton you are using. Good-quality quilting cotton is perfect for embroidery projects because it has a heavier weight, and can hold the different threads well. You can also opt to use a lighter weight, unbleached cotton, but you should look at using a smaller needle and a thinner thread. Avoid using cotton blends, unless they are combined with linen or other natural fibers.
What needles should you use for embroidery?
The most common sized needles used for embroidery are 75/11, 80/12 and 90/14. These are the three most common size needles, especially in commercial embroidering. However, the needle you use will depend on the type of fabric you are using. Smaller diameter needles should be used for lighter weight fabric, and when using a heavier fabric, a larger needle is more effective.
Can you use broadcloth for embroidery?
Broadcloth is durable and affordable, so many people think it is a good possible choice for embroidery. However, broadcloth is light, which makes it a sensitive fabric for embroidery and it might not hold the thread and patterns well.
The Best Fabrics For Embroidery
You are a bit spoiled for choice when it comes to different fabrics which are suitable for embroidery, whether it be hand embroidery or machine embroidery.
However, before picking your fabric, you should know the type of embroidery project you will be doing, the thread and needles you will be using, and then decide on a suitable fabric from there.
The above 7 fabrics are a great starting point for beginners and will be a good addition to any embroiders collection at home. The right fabric makes such a difference with embroidery projects, so take your time choosing one which is right for you!
Up Next: The Best Font For Hand Embroidery
