Fabrics 101: Embroidering on Pre-quilted Fabric

For projects that need a soft touch, pre-quilted fabric is a popular choice. Quilting, or stitching multiple layers of fabric together to make a thicker layer, was first done for utility rather than artistic effect. The layers create a warm and protective fabric with endless uses. When you need a sturdy yet soft fabric for tote bags, organizers, and cases that cushion and protect what's inside, pre-quilted fabric is just right for the job!

Gather Materials:

Choosing Your Materials

FABRIC: Pre-quilted fabrics are generally made up of a sheet of lightweight cotton fabric, stitched in a regular pattern to a layer of batting. Some pre-quilted fabrics have another layer of cotton on the back, which makes both sides attractive and useful. The stitching is often in a diamond pattern, but other patterns can be found too. Choose any pre-quilted fabric you like -- you can't really go wrong!

DESIGN: Matched with the right stabilizer, pre-quilted fabric can support a variety of embroidery, from light redwork to solid stitch-filled designs.

NEEDLE: As usual, a 75/11 sharp sewing needle will help create a crisp design.

STABILIZER: Depending on the design you're using, you may have different stabilizer options. Cutaway stabilizer is never a bad choice, and it'll be necessary for solid stitch-filled designs. Light and open designs such as the elephant stitched below will probably stitch out just fine with tearaway stabilizer. (We don't recommend tearaway often, because it doesn't provide as much support as cutaway stabilizer - so enjoy!)

Lavender pre-quilted fabric with diamond stitching, folded to show soft white fluffy backing on wooden surface.

Embroidering on Pre-Quilted Fabric

STABILIZER: Spray a piece of cutaway stabilizer (see stabilizer note above) with temporary spray adhesive, and smooth the pre-quilted fabric on top.

Two pieces of pre-quilted fabric stacked: larger white quilted piece on top, smaller pink quilted piece underneath, both with diamond patterns.

Start Embroidering:

HOOPING: Hoop both layers rightly together

Light purple rectangular quilted fabric in an embroidery hoop on a dark gray surface, showing diamond stitching and some loose batting on the right edge.

Embroider the design.

Close-up of a sewing machine embroidering a colorful cartoon duck wearing a blue skirt on light purple pre-quilted fabric with a diamond stitch pattern.

FINISHING: Trim excess stabilizer from the back of the embroidery.

Embroidered angel holding blue flowers on a white patch stitched to quilted light purple fabric with diamond pattern stitching.

And your angel is done! Embroidering on pre-quilted fabric is pretty easy and straightforward. This material is great to use in tote bags, protective cases, and organizers of all types!

Embroidery of a smiling angel with brown hair, purple dress, white wings, golden halo, and holding a blue bird on light purple, diamond-quilted fabric.

Get Inspired:

This light-stitching elephant shows another fun look you can achieve with pre-quilted fabric. The quilting shows through the design a bit, but it fades into the background. Too cute!