Top 10 Expert Tips for Successfully Embroidering on Towels

Hatch Blog | How to
April 19th, 2026 7 minute read

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1. Wash and dry your towel beforehand
2. Use the Laydown Stitch tool
3. Play around with placement, and use what works for you!
4. Use an 11 or 14 sized needle
5. Use a tear-away stabilizer
6. But there are alternatives...
7. Use a water-soluble topping
8. 'Float' your towel
9. Use a spray-on adhesive
10. Use a design template
FAQs
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The definitive choice when selecting embroidery software for your home embroidery business.

Discover the joy of embroidering on towels with this blog. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced digitizer, these expert insights will help you create stunning designs on this versatile and durable fabric. From decorative pieces to personalized gifts, towel embroidery is a rewarding project that guarantees adorable results. Join us as we dive into the world of towel embroidery and elevate your stitching skills. Let’s get started!

Terry toweling is a favorite among embroiderers because it’s easy to find, can be used in many ways, and is simple to work with. These towels make great decorations and can handle regular use without getting damaged. Plus, they’re perfect for creating personalized gifts! Whether you’re a beginner or experienced, if you want to create cute designs, towel embroidery is just what you need. Join us as we explore the world of towel embroidery and have fun bringing your ideas to life!

1. Wash and dry your towel beforehand

Before you start embroidering on towels, remember to wash your towel first. This step is crucial to ensure a clean surface for your embroidery. By washing the towel beforehand, you remove any dirt, oils, or residues that may interfere with the stitching process. So, make sure to give your towel a good wash, and then you’ll be all set to create beautiful embroidered designs on it.

2. Use the Laydown Stitch tool

The Laydown Stitch tool in Hatch Embroidery creates a base layer of light grid style fill that is placed under lettering, monograms, or any other embroidery designs. It is automatically placed to be stitched out first. It holds down the high pile of towels to allow the embroidery design to stand out more.

It is best to choose embroidery designs with solid stitching because delicate or thin stitches will get lost in the towel's texture. Solid patterns and stitching are more stable and are better suited to the traditional wear and tear that comes with toweling.

Learn more about the Laydown Stitch tool in Hatch Academy.

3. Play around with placement, and use what works for you!

Centre your design approximately 4 inches above the lower border of your towel. This is the standard placement for larger ones like bath towels or beach towels and will look great when folded. Our handy placement guide for monograms is also a great reference tool.

Visit our blog on monogram placement and download the FREE Monogram Placement Guide.

4. Use an 11 or 14 sized needle

When embroidering on towels a 14-needle is extra sharp and is great for penetrating fabric without distressing it. These are the sizes that are generally recommended however they are not universal. Instead, it is more advisable to use these sizes as a starting point and go wider or narrower from there. Again, it’s about trial and error and using what feels comfortable for you.

5. Use a tear-away stabilizer

Whilst you can basically use any stabilizer for towels, using a tear-away stabilizer will give you the tidiest finish. Just slide a sheet of the stabilizer under your hoop once it’s attached to your machine.

6. But there are alternatives...

If you don’t have any tear-away stabilizer, you can also use cut-away. For more information visit our blog Taking the Headache out of Embroidery Stabilizers and download the free stabilizer guide.

7. Use a water-soluble topping

If you are not using the Laydown Stitch tool, it is recommended that you use a water-soluble topping. This is to ensure your stitches don’t get lost or sink into your towel. The topping will sit over your design as your machine does the work. It is a clear plastic material that can be easily removed by tearing and then wiping the remnants away with a damp washcloth.

8. 'Float' your towel

Sometimes your towel may be too thick to hoop together with your stabilizer and topping. If this is the case, hoop cut-away stabilizer and simply lay the towel on top of it instead of hooping it. This is called ‘floating’.

9. Use a spray-on adhesive

If you decide to float your material, you can use spray-on adhesive to keep your fabric attached to the stabilizer while you are embroidering. This will help your layers stay in place and it won’t add any distress to your items.

Note: some embroiderers use pins instead.

10. Use a design template

This will ensure your placement comes out perfectly. There are templates that come with software and some that come with the embroidery machines. If your software or machine does not come with a template you can purchase them or download a basic one from the internet. Your Hatch Embroidery software will allow you to print out the design with reference marks that you can use as a template.

And a little something extra…

Use the Auto-Fabric feature of Hatch Embroidery software to pre-set your design to the type of fabric you are using. Simply select your type of fabric and it will adjust the stitch settings to best sew on that fabric! Just one of the many amazing features of the Hatch Embroidery software.

FAQs

What type of towel works best for embroidery?

Terry cloth towels are the most popular choice due to their soft texture and durability. However, because of their high pile, it’s best to use designs with solid stitching so the details don’t get lost in the fabric.

Do I need to wash towels before embroidering?

Yes, washing and drying your towel beforehand is highly recommended. This removes any chemicals, shrinkage, or residues that could affect stitch quality and ensures a clean, stable surface for embroidery.

What stabilizer should I use for towel embroidery?

A tear-away stabilizer is commonly recommended for towels as it provides good support and a clean finish. If needed, cut-away stabilizer can also be used, especially for more complex or dense designs.

Why is a water-soluble topping important?

A water-soluble topping prevents stitches from sinking into the towel’s loops. It sits on top of the fabric during stitching and is easily removed afterward, helping your design stay crisp and visible.

What needle size should I use for embroidering towels?

Needle sizes 11 or 14 are a great starting point. A size 14 needle is sharper and better suited for thicker fabrics like towels, but you may need to adjust depending on your specific material and design.

What does it mean to “float” a towel in embroidery?

Floating means hooping only the stabilizer and placing the towel on top instead of hooping it directly. This technique is useful for thick towels and helps prevent hoop marks or fabric distortion during stitching.

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The definitive choice when selecting embroidery software for your home embroidery business.

Hatch Embroidery software is a comprehensive embroidery design solution that offers a range of tools and features for both beginners and seasoned embroiderers.

Here’s why it's a great choice for your business:

User-Friendly Interface: The software is designed with a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for anyone to start creating beautiful embroidery designs, regardless of their experience level.
Powerful Editing Tools: It provides powerful editing tools that allow users to resize, edit, and adjust embroidery designs with precision. This is essential for businesses that need to customize designs according to specific customer requirements.
Wide Range of Formats Supported: Hatch Embroidery supports a wide range of machine file formats, making it versatile for use with different embroidery machines. This flexibility is crucial for businesses operating with multiple machine types.
Professional Quality: The software generates professional-quality stitches, ensuring that the end products are of high quality, which is vital for maintaining customer satisfaction and business reputation.
Extensive Design Features: With features like auto-digitizing, lettering, monogramming, and even special effects, businesses can offer a wide range of embroidery services, increasing their market appeal and potential revenue streams.
Regular Updates and Support: Hatch provides regular software updates and robust customer support, ensuring that businesses can always access the latest features and get help when needed.

Overall, Hatch Embroidery software equips your business with the tools necessary to create stunning, high-quality embroidery designs efficiently and effectively, enhancing productivity and customer satisfaction, making it pivotal when selecting suppliers and supplies for your home embroidery business.

Hatch Embroidery software products are in popular use in over 120 countries. It is time to join the global trend and give Hatch a try! The 30-Day Free Trial grants you unlimited use of all the amazing features and the 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee ensures that there is absolutely no risk involved. In fact, choosing Hatch Embroidery software is one of the smartest things you can do when selecting suppliers and supplies for your home embroidery business.

Enjoy over 500 FREE lessons presented by our own embroidery experts at Hatch Academy. Grow your confidence and embroidery skills fast to start creating your own beautiful designs in no time!


Hatch Academy over 500 FREE lessons for software owners	30-Day FREE Trial all the tools & features	Money-Back Guarantee ease of mind	FlexPay monthly installments