How To Embroider On Stretchy Fabric

Have you ever tried to embroider on a t-shirt, but found that it’s a bit more tricky than you had expected? Learning how to embroider on stretchy fabric can be a challenge, so I’ve got a few recommendations that have helped me.

How To Embroider On Stretchy Fabric

Use Stabilizer

This is my number one tip to help make it easier to stitch on stretchy fabric. The thing with stretchy fabric is that it wrinkles and warps super easily under the tension of embroidery stitches. Stabilizer will help to keep the fabric still and give it some extra support.

I personally use and recommend Pellon stick and tear away stabilizer. You can put this on the back of the article of clothing you’re going to stitch on and it tears away when you’re finished.

This is just one of many kinds of stabilizers. If you’d like to learn about all of the different options, this article will explain all about the different types of embroidery stabilizers.

Use A Smaller Needle

Because stretchy fabrics tend to be knit fabrics with a tighter weave, using a thick needle with a large eye will be harder to get through the fabric. I recommend selecting a smaller embroidery needle and maybe using less strands of embroidery thread. This makes it way easier to pull through the fabric and also decreases your chances of damaging the fabric.

This needle size guide will help you select the right one.

Be Gentle And Pay Attention To Stitch Tension

You’ll have to use extra care when embroidering on fabric that stretches because you won’t want it to wrinkle. You may have to slow down a bit and be really mindful of how tight you’re making your stitches.

If you notice puckering, stop and try to loosen the stitches. If that doesn’t resolve the problem, use a seam ripper and take some of the stitches out.

Use An Embroidery Hoop

An embroidery hoop will also help stabilize the fabric. I always use one when I’m stitching on stretchy clothes. I feel like it allows me to have a bit more control over how I’m stitching on the fabric.

Just make sure that when you pull the hoop tight, you aren’t over-stretching or distorting the weave of the fabric.

And if it feels like the fabric is slipping and not staying tight, binding the hoop helps.

With a little care and practice along with the right tools, you’ll be able to embroider stretchy fabrics with ease!