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.

green and beige linen embroidery fabric

1. Linen

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

scissors laying on top of green and beige cotton embroidery fabric

Cotton

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

a dark denim jacket with a pin cushion, embroidery thread, and scissors laying beside it

Denim

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

Aida

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

blue even weave fabric with drawn thread work embellishing it

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.
close up of even weave fabric

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.

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