Most Important Points for Getting the Best Results When Embroidering a Design
We suggest you follow these recommendations when embroidering store designs or using custom digitizing services for your design. These points will help you achieve better results. If you still have any concerns, please feel free to contact us.
1. Ensure your fabric is tight.
Please make sure your fabric is tight enough in the hoop so that it won’t be flexible during the needle working on it.
2. Sharp Needle
Embroidery machine needles have sharp tips and larger eyes than regular stitching needles. The larger eye allows embroidery threads to pass smoothly. The sharp tips help the needle penetrate tightly woven embroidery fabrics and felt.
Matching Needle, Thread, and Stabilizer to Fabric
Fabric Type | Recommended Needle | Recommended Thread | Recommended Stabilizer |
|---|---|---|---|
Cotton (light/medium) | 75/11 or 80/12 Embroidery Needle | Rayon or Polyester (40 wt) | Use a tear-away stabilizer; it works well with most designs. |
Linen | 80/12 Embroidery or Universal | Rayon, Cotton, or Polyester | Use medium-weight stabilizer; adjust tension as needed. |
Silk | 70/10 Microtex or Embroidery | Fine Rayon or Polyester (60 wt) | Use a cut-away stabilizer; test design to prevent puckering. |
Denim / Heavy Cotton | 90/14 or 100/16 Embroidery | Polyester or Heavy Cotton Thread | Use a strong stabilizer (cut-away); reduce speed slightly. |
Knits / Stretch Fabric | Ballpoint 75/11 or Stretch Needle | Polyester or Rayon (40 wt) | Use a cut-away stabilizer to prevent distortion.
|
Fleece / Terry Cloth | 90/14 Embroidery Needle | Polyester (40 wt) with topper | Use a water-soluble topper to prevent sinking stitches.
|
Organza / Sheer Fabrics | 65/9 or 70/10 Microtex | Fine Polyester or Rayon (60 wt) | Use a light cut-away or wash-away stabilizer. |
Leather / Vinyl | 90/14 Leather Needle | Polyester or Nylon Thread | Use tear-away stabilizer; slower speed to prevent tears. |
Velvet / Pile Fabrics | 80/12 or 90/14 Embroidery | Polyester with topper | Use a water-soluble topper to lift the design above the pile. |
Jersey / T-Shirts | Ballpoint 75/11 Needle | Polyester or Rayon (40 wt) | Always use a cut-away stabilizer; avoid dense designs. |
3. Check your bobbin/thread tension
What should be your bobbin tensions?
The answer to this question is that proper bobbin tension is necessary for good embroidery. If the tension is too strong, the bobbin thread may start to appear on top of your garment, and you may experience frequent thread breaks, which consume time and money. Bobbin tensions should be 18 to 22 grams for normal fabric and up to 25 when embroidering on caps.
4. While using backing, it should cover the full frame
When hooping, a sheet of stabilizer, also called backing, is placed behind the garment to prevent the fabric from puckering or shifting during embroidery. When should I use backing? That’s a very important question. It acts as the basis for your embroidery. The backing is a fundamental piece needed for most machine embroidery projects. We highly recommend using backing on the full back of the fabric, which is under the hoop.
5. Use the same size frame as per the design size
We suggest you please choose the hoop according to your design size and placement. The 4×4 hoop has a sewing field of 3.94 × 3.94 inches. So when we have a design under 3.9 Inches, we will choose a 4×4 size hoop instead of a larger one like 5×7. Because if we use a larger hoop, it may not produce good results, because the fabric becomes flexible. So always choose a hoop according to your design size.
6. Use proper backing (cut away/ tear away) according to fabric
What is backing for embroidery machine designs?
Do you have an embroidered polo? Would you please take a look at the interior of the shirt? Under the embroidery, you’ll find a piece of white material (or black).
Actually, that’s backing. The backing is a layer (sheet) of material hooped and embroidered along with the fabric that you’re embroidering. This material acts as a stabilizer, preserving the fabric and stitches during the embroidery process. When hooping, a sheet (Layer) of stabilizer is placed behind the garment to keep the fabric from puckering or moving when it’s being embroidered.
When should I use backing?
Use it because backing is the base for embroidery. It is very important for many embroidery machine projects. The use of suitable backing depends on the item that you want to embroider.
What type of backing should I use?
Embroiders use the rule of thumb while selecting backing. Backing depends on the fabric thickness. When using thick fabric for embroidery, the backing must be lighter and vice versa.
The following are the important points that you must keep in mind :
Stability of fabric:
Some fabrics need heavier backing, like stretchy fabric or loose fabric. But some fabrics need lighter or medium backing, like woven fabric.
Stitch density:
Stitch density depends on fabric support. Some fabrics (with lighter backing) do not support high stitch density.
Wash-ability:
The fabric becomes softer over time and after multiple washes, so use a heavier backing in this case.
What size backing is considered light and heavy?
Different sizes of backing are available in the market, ranging from 1 ounce to 3.5 ounces.
These sizes are adjusted in the following categories:
Lightweight categories: From 1 to 1.5 ounces fall in the lightweight category.
Lightweight category: From 2 to 2.75 ounces fall under the lightweight category.
Heavyweight category: From 3 to 3.5-ounce falls in the heavyweight category.
Are there any projects that don’t require backing?
No need for backing on very few occasions. Otherwise, almost every project related to embroidery needs backing. The stuff that is pre-made will not require backing.
7. Double layer of backing for cotton fabric
If you are using cotton fabric, then try to use a double layer of backing (stabilizer) to get good results.
8. Washable fusing on top of the Cap
Use washable fusion on top of the cap when embroidering your design. It will help to stitch you very well.
9. Plastic paper/tear-away stabilizer on top of the fabric if your fabric is fluffy
Use plastic paper or tear-away stabilizer if your fabric is fluffy; it’s a better way to get good results.
10. Plastic paper is used on top of the fabric of the small fonts
Use plastic paper on top of the fabric for small fonts.
Please make sure your fabric is enough tight in hoop and it won’t be flexible during the needle working on it.
Embroidery machine needles have sharp tips also larger eyes than our regular stitching needles. That eye can accommodate embroidery threads. It’s highly recommended, and The sharp tips help the needle penetrate tightly woven embroidery fabrics and felt.
| Fabric Type | Recommended Needle | Recommended Thread | Recommended Stabilizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton (light/medium) | 75/11 or 80/12 Embroidery Needle | Rayon or Polyester (40 wt) | Use tear-away stabilizer; works well with most designs. |
| Linen | 80/12 Embroidery or Universal | Rayon, Cotton, or Polyester | Use medium-weight stabilizer; adjust tension as needed. |
| Silk | 70/10 Microtex or Embroidery | Fine Rayon or Polyester (60 wt) | Use cut-away stabilizer; test design to prevent puckering. |
| Denim / Heavy Cotton | 90/14 or 100/16 Embroidery | Polyester or Heavy Cotton Thread | Use strong stabilizer (cut-away); reduce speed slightly. |
| Knits / Stretch Fabric | Ballpoint 75/11 or Stretch Needle | Polyester or Rayon (40 wt) | Use cut-away stabilizer to prevent distortion. |
| Fleece / Terry Cloth | 90/14 Embroidery Needle | Polyester (40 wt) with topper | Use water-soluble topper to prevent sinking stitches. |
| Organza / Sheer Fabrics | 65/9 or 70/10 Microtex | Fine Polyester or Rayon (60 wt) | Use light cut-away or wash-away stabilizer. |
| Leather / Vinyl | 90/14 Leather Needle | Polyester or Nylon Thread | Use tear-away stabilizer; slower speed to prevent tears. |
| Velvet / Pile Fabrics | 80/12 or 90/14 Embroidery | Polyester with topper | Use water-soluble topper to lift design above pile. |
| Jersey / T-Shirts | Ballpoint 75/11 Needle | Polyester or Rayon (40 wt) | Always use cut-away stabilizer; avoid dense designs. |
What should be your bobbin tensions?
The answer to this question is Proper bobbin tension is necessary for good embroidery. If tension is too strong, outcast bobbin thread may begin to display on top of your garment, and you may begin to feel frequent thread cracks, which consumes time and money. Bobbin tensions should be 18 to 22 grams for normal fabric and upto 25 when embroidering on caps.
When hooping, a sheet of stabilizer, also called backing, is placed behind the garment to retain the fabric from puckering or walking while embroidered. When should I use backing? That’s a very important question. It acts as the basis for your embroidery. The backing is a fundamental piece needed for most machine embroidery projects. We highly recommend you to use backing in the full-back of the fabric, which is under the hoop.
We suggest you Please choose hoops according to your design size and placement. For example, The 4×4 Hoop has a sewing field of 3.94 x 3.94, So when we have a design under 3.9 Inches, we will choose a 4×4 size hoop instead of bigger than it like 5×7. Because if we use a larger hoop, it will not produce good results because the fabric is flexible in a larger hoop. So always choose a hoop according to your design size.
What is backing for embroidery machine designs?
Do you have an embroidered polo? Would you please Take a look at the interior of the shirt? Under the embroidery, you’ll find a piece of white material (or black). Actually, That’s backing. The backing is a layer (sheet) of material hooped and embroidered along with the fabric which you’re embroidering. This substance acts as a stabilizer, preserving the fabric and stitches while the embroidery process. When hooping, a sheet( Layer) of stabilizer is placed back the garment to keep the fabric from puckering or moving when it’s being embroidered.
When should I use backing?
Use because backing is the base for embroidery. It is very important for many embroidery machine projects.
The use of Suitable backing depends on the item that you want to embroider.
What type of backing should I use?
Embroiders use the rule of thumb while selecting backing.
Backing depends on the fabric thickness. When using thick fabric for embroidery, the backing must be lighter and vice versa.
The following are the important points that you must keep in mind :
Stability of fabric: some fabrics need heavier backing, like stretchy fabric or lose fabric.
But some fabrics need lighter or medium backing like woven fabric.
Stitch density:
Stitch density depends on fabric support. Some fabric (lighter backing)does not support high stitch density.
Wash-ability:
The backing of the fabric is softer with time and after many washes. Heavier backing.
What size backing is considered light and heavy?
Different sizes of backing are available in the market, ranging from 1 ounce to 3.5 ounces.
These sizes are adjusted in the following categories:
Lightweight categories: from 1 ounce to 1.5 ounce falls in the lightweight category.
Lightweight category: from 2 to 2.75 ounces fall under the lightweight category.
Heavyweight category: from 3 to 3.5-ounce fall in the heavyweight category,
Are there any projects that don’t require backing?
No need for backing on very few occasions. Otherwise, almost every project related to embroidery needs backing. The stuff that is pre-made will not require backing.
If you are using cotton fabric then try to use double layer for backing ( stabilizer) to get good results
Use washable fusion on top of the cap when embroider your design , It will help to stitch you very well.
Use Plastic paper for Tear away stabilizer if your fabric is fluffy type so it’s better way to get good results.
Use plastic paper when embroidering the small letters to get good results.
Fabric Guidance
FABRIC | NEEDLE | BACKING | STITCH COUNT / DESIGN TYPE | NOTES |
Aida Cloth | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway | Any stitch count; both solid and open designs work well. | Pre-laundering recommended on cotton fabrics to avoid puckering caused by shrinking. |
| Denim | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway | Medium to high-stitch- count designs. Both open and solid, stitch- filled designs appear well. | Tearaway stabilizer may be used to avoid backing showing through. Choose simple designs with low to medium stitch counts if using tearaway. |
| Felt | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway | Any stitch count; solid designs appear best | Felt is a good choice for embroidering patches, as the edges don’t fray. |
| Flannel | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway | Any stitch count; both solid and open designs work well. | Pre-laundering recommended on cotton fabrics to avoid puckering caused by shrinking. |
| Faux leather | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway or tearaway | Any stitch count; both solid and open designs work well on non-wearbles. | Low to medium- stitch-count designs work best on clothing. |
| Faux fur | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway | High-stitch- count designs and heavy stitches appear best. | Avoid light stitches such as running stitches that may get lost in textured fabric. |
| Faux suede | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway or tearaway | Any stitch count; both solid and open designs work well. | Cutaway will support heavier stitches best and prevent puckering; tearaway may be used with simple, open designs |
Tips to Achieve the Quality of Small Letters
For optimal quality when working with small letters, use a 65/9 needle paired with 60wt thread. Adjusting the machine to a slower speed can also improve the results.
| FABRIC | NEEDLE | BACKING | STITCH COUNT / DESIGN TYPE | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aida Cloth | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway | Any stitch count; both solid and open designs work well. | Pre-laundering is recommended on cotton fabrics to avoid puckering caused by shrinking. |
| Denim | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway | Medium to high-stitch-count designs. Both open and solid, stitch-filled designs appear well. | Tearaway stabilizer may be used to avoid backing showing through. Choose simple designs with low to medium stitch counts if using tearaway. |
| Felt | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway | Any stitch count; solid designs appear best. | Felt is a good choice for embroidering patches, as the edges don’t fray. |
| Flannel | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway | Any stitch count; both solid and open designs work well. | Pre-laundering is recommended on cotton fabrics to avoid puckering caused by shrinking. |
| Fleece | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway or tearaway | Any design will work well with cutaway; light, open designs work best if using a water-soluble stabilizer. | Heavyweight, water soluble stabilizer may be used in place of regular backing if you don’t want backing to show through on blankets. |
| Leather | 75/11 or 80/12 ball point on stiff or spongy leather; 70/10 or 80/12 sharp point on soft leather | 1.5 oz. tearaway or cutaway | Low-stitch-count designs; open designs work best. | Consider slowing down the speed of the machine. |
| Linen | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway | Low to medium-stitch-count designs. | Open, light designs work best on linen shirts. |
| Mesh | 75/11 sharp point | 3.5 oz. water-soluble stabilizer | Low to medium stitch count designs; solid designs appear best. | Consider using the same color bobbin thread as the top thread since the mesh is transparent. |
| Canvas | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. Cutaway or tear-away | Any stitch count; both solid and open designs work well. | Choose simple designs with low to medium stitch counts if using tearaway. |
| Chiffon | 75/11 sharp point | Heavyweight, water-soluble stabilizer | Light, open designs with lower stitch counts. High-stitch-count designs will cause puckering. | Heavy stitches, such as satin stitches, will work well as long as the design is open. Too much fill will cause stiffness. |
| Chenille | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway or tearaway stabilizer | Medium to high stitch-count designs. Solid, stitch-filled designs appear best. | Avoid light stitches such as running stitches that may get lost in textured fabric. |
| 100% Cotton | 75/11 sharp point | 1.5 to 2.5 oz. cutaway | Low to medium stitch-count designs, depending on thickness. Light, open for t-shirts; heavier, solid for sweats. | Pre-laundering is highly recommended to avoid puckering caused by shrinking. |
| 100% Polyester | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. poly mesh no-show cutaway backing | Low to medium-stitch-count designs; open designs with simple stitches are best for clothing. | Avoid high-density stitch-filled designs that will compromise performance qualities of the garment. |
| Velvet | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway | Any stitch count; stitch-filled designs appear best. | Avoid open designs and light stitches such as running stitches that may get lost in textured fabric. |
| Wool | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway | Any stitch count; stitch-filled designs appear best. | Avoid open designs and light stitches such as running stitches that may get lost in textured fabric. |
| Toilet Paper | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway backing | Low to medium-stitch-count designs; both stitch-filled and open designs work well. | Slow down the speed of the machine. Fold toilet paper three times for best results. |
| Terrycloth | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway or tearaway | Any stitch count; choose stitch-filled designs. | Avoid open designs and light stitches such as running stitches that may get lost in textured fabric. |
Fabric Guidance
| FABRIC | NEEDLE | BACKING | STITCH COUNT/ DESIGN TYPE | NOTES |
| Aida Cloth | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway | Any stitch count; both solid and open designs work well. | Pre-laundering recommended on cotton fabrics to avoid puckering caused by shrinking. |
| Denim | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway | Medium to high-stitch- count designs. Both open and solid, stitch- filled designs appear well. | Tearaway stabilizer may be used to avoid backing showing through. Choose simple designs with low to medium stitch counts if using tearaway. |
| Felt | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway | Any stitch count; solid designs appear best | Felt is a good choice for embroidering patches, as the edges don’t fray. |
| Flannel | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway | Any stitch count; both solid and open designs work well. | Pre-laundering recommended on cotton fabrics to avoid puckering caused by shrinking. |
| Fleece | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway or tearaway | Any design will work well with cutaway; light, open designs work best if using water soluble stabilizer | Heavyweight, water soluble stabilizer may be used in place of regular backing if you don’t want backing to show through on blankets. |
| Leather | 75/11 or 80/12 ball point on stiff or spongy leather; 70/10 or 80/12 sharp point on soft leather | 1.5 oz. tearaway or cutaway | Low-stitch- count designs; open designs work best. | Consider slowing down speed of the machine. |
| Linen | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway | Low to medium- stitch-count designs | Open, light designs work best on linen shirts. |
| Mesh | 75/11 sharp point | 3.5 oz. water soluble stabilizer | Low to medium stitch count designs; solid designs appear best | Consider using the same color bobbin thread as top thread since mesh is transparent. |
| Canvas | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway or tearaway | Any stitch count; both solid and open designs work well. | Choose simple designs with low to medium stitch counts if using tearaway. |
| CHIFFON | 75/11 sharp point | Heavyweight, water soluble stabilizer | Light, open designs with lower stitch counts. High-stitch- count designs will cause puckering to lightweight fabric. | Heavy stitches such as satin stitches will work well as long as design is open. Designs with too much fill will cause fabric to appear stiff. |
| CHENILLE | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway or tearaway stabilizer | Medium to high stitch-count designs. Solid, stitch-filled designs appear best. | Avoid light stitches such as running stitches that may get lost in textured fabric. |
| 100% COTTON | 75/11 sharp point | 1.5 to 2.5 oz. cutaway | Low to medium stitch-count designs depending on thickness of fabric. Light, open designs work best for t-shirts. Heavier, solid designs work well with sweats. | Pre-laundering highly recommended on cotton fabrics to avoid puckering caused by shrinking. |
| 100% polyester | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. poly mesh no- show cutaway backing | Low to medium- stitch-count designs; open designs with simple stitches best for clothing | Avoid high- density stitch- filled designs that will compromise performance qualities of the garment. |
| Velvet | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway | Any stitch count; stitch- filled designs appear best | Avoid open designs and light stitches such as running stitches that may get lost in textured fabric. |
| Wool | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway | Any stitch count; stitch- filled designs appear best | Avoid open designs and light stitches such as running stitches that may get lost in textured fabric. |
| Toilet paper | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway backing | Low to medium- stitch-count designs; both stitch-filled and open designs work well | Slow down the speed of the machine. Fold toilet paper three times for best results. |
| Terrycloth | 75/11 sharp point | 2.5 oz. cutaway or tearaway | Any stitch count; choose stitch-filled designs | Avoid open designs and light stitches such as running stitches that may get lost in textured fabric |