Embroiding for Beginners

Before starting an embroidery project, you should choose the right fabric in order to achieve a clean embroidery image at the end. In principle, it is possible to embroider any type of fabric, but some fabrics are simply easier to work with - especially if you use the right embroidery needle.

Woven fabrics (non-stretch):

• Cotton: Perfect for beginners, smooth and easy to embroider.
• Linen: In contrast to cotton, linen is somewhat coarser, but still very suitable for classic embroidery.
• Canvas and jeans: Very robust, require a thicker needle for embroidery than other fabrics.
• Felt: The fabric does not fray very quickly and is ideal for appliqués.
• Silk: Somewhat slippery and sensitive, but if a water-soluble stabilizer is also used, it is still very suitable for embroider.

• Jersey: This fabric is stretchy and requires a water-soluble stabilizer so that it is easier to embroider and the fabric has a little more stability.
• Fleece: The fabric is very fluffy, which can cause the embroidery design to sink into the fabric. To avoid this, an Avalon foil should be used.
• Stretch fabric: This type of fabric is very demanding and requires a special stabilizer and needles. 
  

Special fabrics:

• Faux leather & leather: Special embroidery needles with a sharp point are required for this type of fabric.
• Organza & tulle: A water-soluble stabilizer is recommended for these transparent fabrics so that the embroidery motif can be applied well.
• Softshell & coated fabrics: These fabrics tear quite quickly. Care must therefore be taken to ensure that the embroidery pattern is adapted to this fabric.