How to Do Embroidery on Terry Cloth
Embroidery adds a unique, personal touch to hand towels or place mats. From inspirational quotes and words of faith, to initials, floral designs and holiday themes, a wide variety of designs are fitting for terry cloth. This heavy fabric is more difficult to embroider on than linen or cotton, but its texture can enhance a simple design.
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Things You'll Need
- Design pattern
- Thread
- Needles
- Transfer paper
- Stabilizer
- Embroidery hoop
Instructions
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Select your embroidery pattern from a book, magazine or craft website. If you're new to embroidery, choose a straight forward pattern that does not involve many knots or complex stitches. Intricate patterns don't pop as much on terry cloth. Consider designs with bold lines and an emphasis on shapes or words rather than detail.
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Wash the terry cloth and iron it if necessary.
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Purchase embroidery threads in a color scheme that compliments the design and adds contrast to the color of the terry cloth. The thicker your threads are, the more they will stand out on terry cloth. Choose embroidery yard for a needlepoint design, and pearl or embroidery floss if the majority of your design involves cross stitch.
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Purchase embroidery needles just large to fit the thread; the lower the number of your needle, the larger the eye of the needle. For instance, a number 13 needle can be used for embroidering with thick yarns with a number 28 needle is used on fine fabrics. A number 18 or 22 needle will fit the thicker threads used on terry cloth.
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Review the design and note the types of stitches you will use for each part of the pattern. Also include which color of thread you will use for each section. If you're not familiar with a particular type of stitch or knot, practice on scrap fabric.
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Follow the manufacturer's instructions to transfer the design onto your terry cloth with transfer paper.
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Back your terry cloth with a stabilizer to provide extra support for the fabric when washed. Cut away stabilizer will give you the longest lasting results. Water soluble stabilizer washes away with the first wash, so the fabric is more likely to pucker and warp the embroidery.
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Stretch the terry cloth and stabilizer between the top and bottom rings of an embroidery hoop with the pattern side up. Place the top ring around the cloth and tighten the clasp to secure the hoop. Terry cloth is bulky so you won't be able to tighten the hoop as much as you can with lighter fabrics, but make sure it is tight enough to prevent the cloth from pulling as you stitch.
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Follow the pattern instructions to stitch the design. Make your stitches small, tight and uniform to withstand hand washing.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit ethnic embroidery image by GeoM from Fotolia.com
