Terry Cloth
Terry cloth is a looped fabric used for towels, flannels and baby textiles. When embroidering on terry cloth, extra stabilisation helps keep the stitches visible and neat.
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Terry cloth is a soft fabric with small loops on the surface. You know this material from towels, flannels, bathrobes and baby textiles. These loops give terry cloth its recognisable structure, but make embroidery different from working on smooth cotton: stitches can sink between the loops. For a neatly visible motif, stabilisation is therefore often needed on the back, sometimes supplemented by a water-soluble topping that temporarily holds the loops aside.
When to use it
Use terry cloth when you want to personalise a towel, flannel, bib or another piece of baby textile. Names, initials and small, clear motifs work well on it. Prefer simple shapes to a design with many tiny details, because the fabric structure affects the image. Embroidering on terry cloth is particularly suitable when the motif mainly needs to be legible and decorative.
Common mistakes
Do not begin without testing how the chosen motif sits among the loops. Fine lettering and small details can become less clear when stitches sink. Another mistake is failing to stabilise the fabric sufficiently, which can cause the embroidery to pull or look uneven. Do not pull the thread too tightly either: this can make the soft fabric pucker and cause the motif to lose its calm shape.
Tips
First make a test piece on a scrap of terry cloth using the same thread and stitch. Use a clear shape that is not too small, and leave enough space between fine details. Place stabilisation on the back and, if necessary, use a water-soluble topping while embroidering. Afterwards, check that all stitches remain clearly visible above the loops. This keeps a name or small motif legible even from a normal viewing distance.
