Five Sources for Embroidery Fabric

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If you are a hand stitcher, you are always looking for new projects and ways to enjoy your embroidery.

The fabric that you are stitching on is the foundation of your piece and will have a big impact on your project.

When choosing fabric, there are a lot of options, so here are five places you can look for fabric.

Kit

The most obvious fabric to use for a hand embroidery project is fabric that comes in an embroidery kit. Kits can be a good option because they come with everything you need for your project – fabric, thread, needle and sometimes even a hoop.

Kits are great for beginners because you don’t have to shop around and look for everything separately. 

But once you’ve done a couple of kits, you are probably ready to branch out, and you may even have a collection of thread starting to build.

So where else can you get fabric?

Quilt / sewing shop

Quilt shops and fabric shops are full of fabric, so it’s an obvious source for embroidery fabric. But it can be overwhelming to see so many options.

In a fabric store, look for fabric that is not stretchy and feels sturdy but not too thick and stiff.

Quilting cotton is always a good choice. It comes in any colour you can imagine and is easy to work with. Experiment with both solids and prints for your embroidery.

Fabric in stores is sold off a bolt, which is usually 40” wide or wider. You can request the length you want, but it will always be that width. So when you get a piece of fabric, it will probably be enough for more than one project.

If you see little pieces called “fat quarters”, these are pieces cut into 18” x 20”. This can be just the right size for an embroidery project.

Your Closet (clothing, linens)

When you are looking for fabric, don’t overlook what you already have. Clothing, pillowcases, towels and napkins are just some of the items in your home made from fabric that can be used for embroidery.

You could choose to embroider on the items or just use the fabric.

For example, if you have a tea towel, you can embroider on it and keep using it as a tea towel, or you could turn it into a pillow. 

Don’t forget to look for items that are starting to wear out in some places and use the fabric that is still good to upcycle it into something else.

Embroidering onto something you already own is the most economical. way to stitch.

Thrift store

Next time you are in a second hand store, be sure to take a look around at everything made out of fabric. Check clothing that is not your size as well as bed and table linens. Sometimes you will find just the fabric you are looking for.

I still regret not buying a cream colour 100% wool blanket that I saw at a thrift store. I didn’t want it as a blanket, but it would have been wonderful as a base for hand embroidery.

Ready made items

Just like the items that you find in your closet or in a thrift store, new ready-made items are good choices for embroidery.

Pillowcases, clothing and towels can be beautiful and useful choices for hand embroidery .

Just remember to wash them before stitching so that if they shrink at all it won’t affect your work.

When you realize all the different options you have for embroidery fabric, you will start to see possibilities everywhere.

So be creative and have fun with your hand stitching.

More Embroidery Tips

See more embroidery tips and tutorials HERE.