Burlap is a loose, open-weave jute, and embroidering on it well comes down to preparation. Stitches sink through the open weave, so the stabilizer, needle, and stitch settings matter more than the design itself. This guide covers how to get clean results on burlap, and how to create a machine-ready design for free with SewFlow.
Best Stabilizer and Needle for Burlap
For burlap, use a cutaway plus a topping stabilizer with a 90/14 needle. Stitches sink through the open weave — keeping density moderate and underlay appropriate is what separates a crisp result from a puckered one.
How to Make a Burlap Embroidery Design with SewFlow
- 1Open the SewFlow Image to Embroidery tool at sewflow.com/image, or the Text tool at sewflow.com/text for names and monograms.
- 2Upload your logo or artwork and remove the background, or type and style your lettering.
- 3Set the design size to fit your burlap, then choose your machine's format — JEF (Janome), DST (Tajima/commercial), PES (Brother/Babylock), EXP (Bernina), XXX (Singer), or SEW (Janome legacy).
- 4Click Preview Stitches to check the stitch path and density before downloading.
- 5Download the file, hoop or float your burlap with a cutaway plus a topping stabilizer, and run a test stitch on a scrap first.
Create a burlap embroidery design free in your browser:
Open Image to Embroidery →Project Ideas for Burlap Embroidery
- •Rustic banners
- •Gift bags
- •Wreaths
- •Table runners
- •Wedding decor
Tips for Clean Burlap Embroidery
- •A topping is essential or stitches vanish into the weave.
- •Choose bold, chunky designs — fine detail is lost on burlap.
- •Use a larger needle to part the coarse fibers cleanly.
Go Bold
Burlap rewards simple, high-contrast designs and ignores fine detail.