How to choose embroidery fabrics?

When we start an embroidery project, choosing a good embroidery fabric is an important step. The finish will be an important part of the fabric selection, because the fabric background will affect the overall feel of the project. What is the difference between cotton lace trim, crochet edging lace and stretch lace trim, gold lace trim? Faced with different types of fabrics, how should we choose? After determining the fabric, how do you prepare for the next step?

Classification of embroidery fabric materials

Matte fabric: This will produce a non-reflective surface. This is very useful for busy embroidery pieces, country embroidery and shiny embroidery threads. Most embroidery projects will be based on matte fabrics, such as muslin, bark cloth, unpolished cotton, Ida, calico, burlap, etc.

Shiny fabric: This will make the surface smoother. This structure creates a greater contrast between your project and the background. Shiny lace fabrics like satin or synthetic fibers can be difficult to use. This will depend on the type of fabric. Silk is shiny, and many embroiders like to use it.

Color: Many items embroidered in white, milky white or beige. Sometimes, black is the ideal background color for serif colors. But it doesn’t have to stay within that color range, you can expand your field of view and use any colored background that you think is suitable for the final result. If you change your selection, make sure to use most thread colors to complement the color of the background fabric.

Patterned fabric: If there is a pattern on the fabric, please be very careful so that the pattern fits the design you want to create". If the pattern conflicts, is too thick or too dominant, then you may find that it is not suitable for embroidery projects. Because it overwhelms the entire design. The patterns that can be used include small checkered cloth, without too much color change, or a single large lace fabric pattern design constitutes the actual basis for your embroidery. Natural colored plain weave fabrics are easier to use.

Prepare embroidery fabric

1. If you are not sure about the choice, please do a test. Cut out a small (square) piece of embroidered lace fabric you want to use, and use the precise stitches (and other decorations) you plan to use for a small size design. Determine if it is suitable for your project.

2. Wash the cotton lace fabric before use. This helps to ensure that the fabric is clean and does not wrinkle when you start sewing. Washing can pre-shrink any fabric that is prone to this effect, which will play an important role in projects where shrinkage will destroy the design (such as seams).

3. If necessary, prepare the beaded lace fabric. In some cases, you may need to prepare the fabric and brake for reinforcement before adding embroidery elements. You can add ironed or reinforced interfaces on the back of the fabric to reinforce the fabric to increase stitches. This can be especially important for more delicate fabrics where roving or hemming is intended.