Best Types Of Fabric For Hand Embroidery -

Choosing the right fabric for an embroidery project is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The fabric you use can either hinder your progress or take your embroidery to the next level.

I know it can be really confusing and frustrating to find the perfect fabric. I’ve stitched on plenty of materials that were less than ideal! In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best embroidery fabrics, key factors to consider when choosing fabric, and some helpful shopping tips to make your decision easier.

background: a pile of fabric with an embroidery hoop and thread snips with text overlay that says: best types of fabric for hand embroidery

This post is part of my hand embroidery supplies series.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase an item.

Top 5 Best Fabrics For Embroidery

The best hand embroidery fabrics have something in common: they contain natural fibers such as cotton, flax, or wool. These materials are durable, easy to work with, and hold stitches beautifully.

1. Linen

Linen is a favorite for surface embroidery due to its durability and lovely texture.

Best for: Surface embroidery, cross stitch, crewel work, drawn thread work, and framed pieces.
Where to buy: High-quality, hand dyed linen is available from Stuart Moore’s Textiles and My Vintage Needle Arts. Craft stores carry linen as well, but make sure to check for blends that don’t contain elastic.
Pro tip: Choose plain weave linen for surface embroidery and counted work. For embroideries that use heavier threads and yarns, try a linen twill.

Cotton

100% cotton fabric is lightweight, tightly woven, and budget-friendly.

Best for: Clothing, quilting, and hoop displays.
Where to buy: Kona cotton is available online and in many fabric stores. Muslin and cotton canvas are also good options.

Denim

Denim is a heavier fabric that’s still relatively easy to stitch through. Chances are, you probably already have this in your closet!

Best for: Embroidering on jackets, jeans, and upcycled patches.
Pro Tip: Choose a medium-weight denim for easier stitching. For thicker fabrics, these needle grippers come in handy.

Aida

Aida is a stiff, evenly woven fabric with visible holes.

Best for: Counted cross stitch you plan to finish in the hoop or frame.
Where to buy: Most craft stores, Etsy, and Amazon.
Pro tip: While it is possible to use this for surface embroidery, I wouldn’t recommend it. Due to it’s stiff, open weave, it can be hard to add in fine detail.

Evenweave

A cotton-rayon blend that’s smoother and more flexible than Aida, and similar in appearance to linen.

Best for: Cross stitch, whitework, and drawn thread embroidery.
Where to buy: Widely available at craft stores and online.

How To Choose The Right Embroidery Fabric

When shopping for embroidery fabric, consider these key factors:

Fabric Weave

Look for an even weave, where the fibers are evenly spaced and uniform in thickness.
Avoid loose weaves, as they can cause stitches to slip and create gaps in the fabric.
Check the thread count: 32-count and up works well for surface embroidery.

Fabric Weight

Lightweight fabrics (e.g. Kona cotton) are easy to stitch through but you may need to stabilize or double up the fabric.
Medium-weight fabrics (e.g. linen) hold up well to embroidery tension.
Heavyweight fabrics (e.g. denim) are durable but test them first to see how easily you can stitch through them.

Extra Tips

Test Before Committing – Order fabric samples or visit a store in person to feel the thickness, texture, and weave.
Pre-Wash Fabrics – This prevents shrinkage, especially for embroidery projects that will be washed.
Match Fabric & Thread Weights – Thin fabrics pair best with fine threads, while thicker fabrics can handle heavier embroidery floss or yarns.
Shop Your Home For Fabric – You may already have the perfect fabric in your closet or linen cabinet: a linen tablecloth, a cotton pillowcase, or an old denim jacket can all make wonderful (and free!) embroidery surfaces.

Fabrics You May Want To Avoid

T-Shirt Material – Stretchy and difficult to work with. Use stabilizer if necessary.
Synthetic Fabrics – Polyester and rayon can be too tight and flimsy, leaving permanent holes.
Fabrics with Elastic – Stretchy fabrics can distort stitches and lose tension over time.

FAQs

What is the easiest fabric to embroider on?

Linen and cotton are great beginner friendly options due to their even weave and durability.

Is polyester good for embroidery?

Polyester is not an ideal fabric to use – it’s a synthetic fabric that is slippery, prone to puckering, and has an extremely tight weave to it.

Is Kona Cotton good for embroidery?

Yes! It’s affordable, smooth, and holds embroidery stitches well. It comes in a wide variety of colors, making it a popular choice for embroiderers.

Is felt good for embroidery?

Felt works well for hand embroidery, but it’s best for appliqué style embroidery rather than more intricate surface embroidery

What thread count is best for hand embroidery?

Fabrics with a thread count of 32 and up are best for surface embroidery, while lower thread counts (e.g. 14-count Aida) are great for cross stitch.

Keep Reading

These tips will help prevent the fabric from slipping in the hoop
Here’s where to buy embroidery fabrics online

Amanda

Amanda is a hand embroidery teacher and artist. With over 15 years of experience in the craft industry and embroidery, she owns and runs Crewel Ghoul, sharing accessible tutorials and patterns to help inspire fellow crafters to get creative. In addition to running this website, she teaches on Skillshare and Youtube.

Best Types Of Fabric For Hand Embroidery

Top 5 Best Fabrics For Embroidery