Can you embroider on fleece?
Yes, fleece is easy to machine embroider. Use a ballpoint 75/11 needle, a medium cut-away backing so the design keeps its shape as the fleece stretches, and a water-soluble topping so stitches don't sink into the pile. Bold designs with fills work best; tiny text gets lost. Avoid pressing fleece with a hot iron, which can flatten or melt it.
Verdict: Yes
Needle
Ballpoint 75/11
Stabilizer
Medium cut-away
Topping
Water-soluble
Design density
Medium; bold designs
Hooping
Hoop gently or float on sticky cut-away
How to embroider on fleece
- 1
Prepare
Fit a ballpoint 75/11 needle and cut medium cut-away a little bigger than the hoop.
- 2
Hoop
Hoop gently or float on sticky cut-away.
- 3
Digitize
Pick a design with medium; bold designs, sized for the item, with the right fabric setting.
- 4
Stitch and finish
Add a water-soluble topping, then sew a test first, then trim and finish.
Tips for fleece
- Keep lettering at least 7–8 mm tall on fleece.
- Use the topping every time, even for small designs.
- Trim the cut-away close once finished.
- Brush or steam the fleece rather than ironing it.
Avoid
- Stretching fleece in the hoop.
- Tear-away backing, which lets the design distort.
Try it on fleece
Start with a free design, or your own artwork
Every free design downloads in every machine format with a free account. Or upload a logo and Embrizo digitizes it with settings for the fabric you pick.
Free account
Designs tuned for fleece
Create a free account to digitize any image, try every setting and watch it sew. Choose a plan only when you want to download files.
- Digitize and preview any image
- Realistic stitch preview and sew-out
- Download free ready-made designs
- No credit card needed
Embroidering fleece: questions
The quickest way to see what it does with your artwork is to try it. With a free account, digitizing and previewing cost nothing and take about a minute.
Can you embroider on fleece?
Yes, fleece is easy to machine embroider. Use a ballpoint 75/11 needle, a medium cut-away backing so the design keeps its shape as the fleece stretches, and a water-soluble topping so stitches don't sink into the pile. Bold designs with fills work best; tiny text gets lost. Avoid pressing fleece with a hot iron, which can flatten or melt it.
What needle should I use for fleece?
Ballpoint 75/11. Change it often; a dull needle drags and can mark or tear fleece.
What stabilizer is best for fleece?
Medium cut-away. Topping: water-soluble.
How dense should designs be on fleece?
Medium; bold designs. Embrizo's fabric settings adjust density, underlay and pull compensation when you digitize.
Can I get a design digitized for fleece?
Yes. Upload your logo or artwork to Embrizo, pick the closest fabric setting and download a file for your machine, with a realistic stitch preview first.
Can you embroider on…
Ready to stitch on fleece?
Sign up free, upload a logo or picture, pick the fabric and get a ready-to-sew file with a realistic stitch preview first.