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Choose natural fiber fabrics such as cotton, linen, silk or wool. Cotton is the most versatile, easiest to care for and offers a wide variety of patterns and textures. Choose good quality fabric since you're going to spend the time embellishing it. Very lightweight fabric such as handkerchief linen or cotton batiste won't support the embroidery stitching so look for something with more body.
Preshrink the fabric using the same method as you plan to use to launder the completed project. This will help avoid subsequent shrinking and puckered embroidery. Prewashing also removes the fabric finish, often a cause of skipped stitches. If needed, lightly spray-starch the fabric and press before sewing to help support the fibers.
When machine embroidering, use a stabilizer with a similar weight as the fabric--a tear-away is recommended for most woven fabrics-- and be extra careful when removing so it doesn't pull and distort the embroidery.
From the March 2004 issue of Sew News magazine.
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