Cart
close

Top Embroidery Blanks & a Look at Botanical Threads

By ShirtSpace | Feb 25, 2025 |  Updated Feb 25, 2025

Looking for the best embroidery blanks for your next project? We’ve selected top wholesale embroidery blanks to save you time and help you focus on what you do best – embroidery! Plus, stick around to the end, where we chat with Kerri Ciullo of Botanical Threads to learn all about her embroidery business and valuable insights she has about running an embroidery business. So, whether you are new to embroidery, or have experience, but just need a little inspo and info – you have come to the right place! 

Hero image credit: Kerri Ciullo

The Best Apparel for Embroidery in 2025

Embroidery continues to be a go-to decoration method for apparel in 2025, offering a premium, long-lasting, and highly customizable option for individuals and businesses alike. Whether you're embroidering intricate designs or simple logos, the right apparel plays a crucial role in achieving the best results.

What to Look for in Embroidery Blanks

When choosing blank apparel for embroidery projects, the key factors to consider are fabric type, weight, and weave:

  • FABRIC TYPES: For the best embroidery results, choose fabrics like cotton, non-stretch polyester, cotton-poly blends, denim or canvas
  • FABRIC WEIGHT: Mid to heavyweight garments
  • FABRIC WEAVE: Tightly woven with a high GSM
    • These indicate the fabric’s smoothness and durability—denser weaves like twill or ringspun cotton hold embroidery stitches well and offer a clean, professional look
    • Garments with a high GSM are incredibly soft and also hold stitching better.

Embroidered sunflowers by Botanical Threads on a forest green fleece crewneck sweatshirt from ShirtSpace.
Image credit: Botanical Threads
 

What to Avoid for Embroidery Blanks

When selecting blank apparel for embroidery, it's important to avoid thin, loosely woven, or overly stretchy fabrics, as they can cause puckering, distortion, or difficulty in holding detailed stitches:
 

  • FABRIC TYPES TO AVOID: 
    • Thin jersey
    • Flowy polyester blends
    • Stretchy athletic materials (performance polyester, nylon and spandex)
    • Low-quality blanks with inconsistent fabric construction may not hold up well over time, leading to fraying or pulling that diminishes the final embroidered design.
  • FABRIC WEIGHT TO AVOID: Lightweight materials may not provide enough stability for embroidery, leading to designs that shift or sink into the fabric.
  • FABRIC WEAVE TO AVOID: Heavily textured fabrics like ribbed knits or fleece can make it challenging for embroidery stitches to lay flat and appear crisp.
  • GARMENT STYLES TO AVOID: Clothing with excessive seams, pockets, or zippers in the embroidery area should also be avoided, as they can interfere with the embroidery hoop and result in uneven stitching. 


Embroidery Blank Suggestions

Now that you know what to look for when shopping for embroidery blanks, let’s take a deeper look at the best fabrics for embroidery, as well as corresponding styles in those fabrics. Be sure to keep in mind that if you are hand-embroidering vs. machine embroidering, your hand might get fatigued with an exceptionally stiff material – so be kind to yourself when making your fabric selection!

Heavyweight Cotton

A whimsical cat with flowers, embroidered by Botanical Threads on a light pink heavyweight t-shirt from ShirtSpace.A strawberry plant and butterfly embroidered by Botanical Threads on a black heavyweight crewneck sweatshirt with a locket patch at the neckline, available now at ShirtSpace.
Image credits: Botanical Threads


The best embroidered tee is typically thick and heavy. Heavyweight t-shirts are a top choice for embroidery because their durable fabric provides a sturdy foundation for intricate stitching. Unlike lightweight tees, which can stretch or pucker under the weight of embroidery, heavyweight tees maintain their shape and structure, ensuring a clean and professional-looking design. The denser weave also helps the embroidery sit smoothly on the fabric without distortion, making details more precise and long-lasting. Searching for garments with a high fabric GSM can be an indicator of a denser fabric. Additionally, heavyweight apparel tends to be made from high-quality cotton or cotton blends, offering a soft yet substantial feel that holds up well over time.
 

* Many of these embroidery t-shirt styles are available in pocket and long-sleeve options as well!


For sweatshirts, since they are thicker than t-shirts anyway, you can usually get away with embroidering light-midweight sweatshirt styles. However, embroiderers still tend to gravitate towards heavyweight sweatshirt styles due the benefits they bring. Pick a embroidery hoodie, crewneck of quarter-zip to start your next project:
 


 

Canvas & Denim

Botanical Threads denim overalls embroidered with whimsical plants and forest critters.Two tote bags, one canvas and one denim, embroidered by Botanical Threads.
Image credit: Botanical Threads


Denim and canvas are excellent choices for embroidery blanks because of their sturdy, tightly woven fabric, which provides a stable surface for detailed stitching. Their durability prevents distortion, ensuring designs stay crisp and well-defined. Both materials can handle dense, intricate embroidery without puckering, making them ideal for decorative patterns, logos, and personalization. Additionally, denim and canvas offer a stylish, textured background that enhances the visual appeal of embroidery, whether for fashion, accessories, or home décor. Plus, embroidering denim and canvas is more forgiving of mistakes than other fabrics – so it’s perfect for beginners. Their long-lasting quality ensures embroidered designs remain vibrant and intact over time. Here are some of our favorite canvas and denim items we offer:
 


* That’s not all of our canvas bags! Check out our entire selection of over 100 canvas totes, bags, backpacks and more!


 


 

Knitted Beanies With a Cuff

Four beanies embroidered by Botanical Threads and laid out on a fall lawn with leaves, each featuring whimsical nature designs.A close up of the cuffs of knitted beanies, embroidered by Botanical Threads.
Image credit: Botanical Threads

Knitted beanies with a cuff are perfect for embroidery because the cuff provides a stable, double-layered surface that helps secure stitches and prevent distortion. The extra thickness ensures designs sit neatly without sinking into the knit, making logos and patterns more visible and defined. The backing of the stitched design is further protection with a cuffed beanie. The cuff also adds a stylish, structured area for embroidery placement, keeping designs front and center. Plus, these hats are a popular, functional accessory, making embroidered beanies great for branding, gifts, and custom fashion.
 

*That’s not all of our beanies! Check out our entire selection of over 100 beanie options!


 

Wide-Brimmed & Bucket Hats

A black bucket hat embroidered with a whimsical nature scene by Botanical Threads.A white bucket hat embroidered with a whimsical nature scene by Botanical Threads. 
Image credit: Botanical Threads

Bucket hats are great for embroidery because they provide a wide, structured surface that allows for clear and detailed designs. The soft yet sturdy fabric, often made from cotton or canvas, holds stitches well without excessive puckering or distortion. Their consistent shape makes them easier to hoop compared to more rigid or curved hats like baseball caps. Additionally, bucket hats offer ample space for customization, whether it's a small logo on the front or a larger design wrapping around the crown.
 


Customer Spotlight: Botanical Threads

Kerri Ciullo of Botanical Threads.Five embroidered mushroom beanies displayed on a bed of grass, decorated by Botanical Threads.
Left: Kerri Ciullo of Botanical Threads
Right: Beanies embroidered with mushroom designs by Kerri Ciullo.

When we were considering different embroidery artists to feature for this article, we quickly landed on Kerri Ciullo – the brains, passion and imagination behind Botanical Threads. She is an artist specializing in whimsical hand-embroidered apparel – including shirts, sweatshirts, hats, bags and more! Her work is inspired by the intricate beauty of nature and human vulnerability – with endearing forest creatures, colorful produce, and beautiful plants filling her designs. With over a decade of embroidery experience since 2014, Kerri Ciullo is the perfect expert to share insights on her journey as an artist, business advice and favorite embroidery blanks to stitch.

Beyond her embroidery, Kerri was featured on Netflix’s docu-series, Unwell (episode 6, season 1,“Bee Therapy”) for curing her autoimmune condition with bee venom. Her trust and reliance on the natural world to treat her health issues is inspiring. It also shines through in her work, as you can see her immense appreciation for nature in her creations. Read on to learn a little more about Kerri and her embroidery business journey. 

INTERVIEW WITH KERRI OF BOTANICAL THREADS
 

1. What types of apparel decorating do you do?

I mostly do hand embroidery, painting, bleaching and occasional beading/appliquéing work.


2. How did you get into embroidery, and when did it grow to be more than just a hobby?

I got into it initially because of chronic health issues and needing to lie down often. I was originally a painter, but had to find a more accessible art form. I started posting the work I did on Instagram, and it gained a lot of interest, so I decided to start selling my work on Etsy. I have now shipped my art around the world and have collaborated with and designed for multiple brands.

3. What type of embroidery machine/tools do you use?

I use a needle, embroidery hoop, scissors, threads, and my hands!

4. What is a piece of advice you would give to someone who is just getting into embroidery?

My advice would be to take your time and just experiment. It’s better to go into all formsfor creation without a set outcome in mind. Just let your creativity flow and see what

happens!

5. What are your favorite blanks to embroider that we carry at ShirtSpace, and why?

I’m a big fan of the ShirtSpace beanie selection and have enjoyed working on multiple brands of them. My favorites are the Port & Company knit caps.

6. Do you take any custom orders? Why or why not?

I do take custom orders. They have been some of my favorite pieces to design and always feel like such an honor to work on.

7. Do you have any embroidery fails or mishaps you are willing to share?

I used to rush too much and leave way too much loose thread hanging. So, my backing was so messy when I first started. Thankfully, I’ve come a long way since then.

8. What trends do you see emerging in the embroidery world?

I’m definitely seeing a lot more people trying hand embroidery for themselves, which has been really cool. I’d definitely like to teach some classes for those interested in learning

more about clothing customization.

9. Do you have any pro tips for other embroiderers?

Find your aesthetic, nurture that, and don’t forget to see the beauty in your own work! Sometimes, it can be hard not to focus on what you see as flaws in your creations when you’ve been staring at them too long.

10. What advice would you give to someone just starting an embroidery business? Where should they start?

I would tell them to start small and come up with the aesthetic they want to build their business around. It makes it much easier to make pieces that your audience and customers will love! 

11. Where do you source your designs from? And if you create them from scratch, what softwares or mediums do you use?

All of my designs are original and created by me. I either hand illustrate them before embroidering or illustrate them on Procreate to get an idea of layout.

12. What’s next for your embroidery business? Any exciting goals or projects on the horizon?

I would really love to collaborate with more companies and have more accessible pieces available. Maybe even expand into getting some of my designs machine embroidered so I can do more wholesale.

Denim overalls decorated by Kerri Ciullo of Botanical Threads with whimsical, forest-inspired designs. 
Image credit: Botanical Threads

Enhance Your Embroidery With High-Quality Blanks

Now that you can take some inspiration from Botanical Threads, and know where to get the best embroidery clothing wholesale, you are ready to embark upon a new embroidery journey! Skip the craft store and shop discount embroidery blanks from ShirtSpace! And if we accidentally left out any great apparel options – tell us your favorite embroidery clothing brands and styles in the comments, and share your embroidered tee shirt designs with us on social media by DMing us or using #ShirtSpace!

Other Blogs We Think You’ll Love:

Leave a Comment

All fields marked with * are required

We take your privacy seriously and will not share or publish your email address.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.