How to Sew With Terry Cloth

Terry cloth is a functional fabric choice for linens and clothing, such as robes and swimsuit cover-ups. Because of its significant pile, however, embellishing terry cloth with a machine-embroidered design can be a bit tricky unless you follow a few steps.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Choose the embroidery design and transfer it to your sewing machine. Mark the design on your terry cloth. Place a layer of cut-away stabilizer on the wrong side of the fabric where the design will go and a layer of tulle on the right side of the fabric.

2. Use an embroidery hoop to secure the terry cloth into place and begin stitching the design with your sewing machine using a wide satin stitch. You can also add underlay stitching, which holds the loops of terry cloth fabric in place and prevents them from showing though the embroidered design.

3. Remove the hoop and trim away any excess stabilizing fabric, or use a warm iron to steam it away.

Tips & Warnings

• Stabilizer used on the wrong side of terry cloth will maintain the embroidery design through normal wear and washings. Likewise, tulle used on the right side of terry cloth will keep the nap from poking through the embroidery stitches.
• Choose a sticky stabilizer on the wrong side of the fabric, which works well for textured fabrics such as terry cloth.
• When sewing with terry cloth, be sure to use polyester embroidery thread.
• Take the time to make sure that your fabric and stabilizers are secure in the hoop. Doing so will prevent the fabric from slipping, thereby ruining your embroidered design.