Can I embroider on a tote bag?

Yes, you can embroider on a tote bag, and tote bags are a great project for adding names, monograms, logos, or decorative machine embroidery designs.

Choose the Right Design

Most filled and appliqué embroidery designs can work well on tote bags. Choose a design that matches the fabric and avoid very dense designs on lightweight materials.

Use the Proper Stabilizer

Using the proper stabilizer helps keep the tote fabric from shifting, stretching, or puckering while the design is being stitched.

Check the Bag Construction

Make sure you can hoop the area where you want to embroider. If the tote is already assembled, take care not to stitch through both sides of the bag.

Consider the Fabric

Cotton, canvas, denim, and other sturdy fabrics are generally good choices for embroidery. Thin or stretchy tote fabrics may need additional support.

Test Before Stitching

Test the design on a scrap piece of similar fabric first. Check the design size, density, thread colors, and placement before stitching the finished tote.

Quick Checklist

• Choose a design suitable for the tote fabric.
• Use the proper stabilizer.
• Make sure you can hoop the embroidery area securely.
• Do not accidentally stitch through both sides of the bag.
• Test the design before stitching the final tote.

Best Tip

If you're making the tote yourself, embroider the front panel before assembling the bag. This makes hooping much easier and gives you more control over the final placement.

Source of information: With over 200,000 customers and a private Facebook group with more than 2,000 members, we have heard just about every embroidery question and troubleshooting problem you can imagine. This question has come to us directly from customers by email, through our Facebook page, and in our private Facebook group.

Have another question? See all the answers in our machine embroidery designs FAQ.