200+ Things to Embroider for Fun or To Sell

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Running out of ideas for embroidery projects? Welcome to my master list of fun things to embroider to sell or to make for yourself! 

While most items listed here are things to embroider with a computerized machine, there’s a lot of overlap for blanks that can also be hand embroidered. 

I’m always looking for new things to embroider, so let me know if you have any other ideas to add to this list! 

Huge List of Things to Embroider

I’ve divided many of these project ideas by theme to make them easier to search. At the end, I have a big list of random ideas that didn’t fit in any of these sections!

I’ve also linked to tutorials for many projects if you need extra help. 

For the Home (Kitchen, Bathroom, Living Spaces, Etc.)

Here are embroidery projects for your house, including the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and even your craft room. If you don’t have a machine with a free arm, just make sure any things you embroider can be spread in a single layer. 

Towels

Embroidering towels is easy using a tear-away or wash-away stabilizer with a layer of water-soluble topping. They make great gifts, and there are lots of varieties, as shown below.

• Terry Towels for Kitchens or Bathrooms
• Bath Towels
• Washcloths
• Tea Towels
• Linen Towels
• Flour Sack Towels
• Exercise or Golf Towels
• Paper Towels (Check out how to embroider paper towels!)

Blankets

Embroidering a blanket requires a layer of water-soluble topper a stabilizer backing based on the blanket fabric qualities.

All sorts of blankets work great for embroidery!

• Fleece Blankets
• Quilts
• Waterproof Blankets for Picnics
• Stadium Blankets
• Sherpa Blankets (A knock-down stitch first is helpful for sherpa blankets.)
• Sweatshirt Blankets
• Tight-Knit Afghans

Bathroom Ideas

• Shower Curtains
• Laundry Baskets or Laundry Bags
• Toilet Paper
• Bath Mats
• Toilet Seat Covers

Kitchen and Dining

• Potholders (Here’s how to embroider a store-bought potholder!)
• Oven Mitts or Double Oven Mitts (Doubles are my favorite!)
• Chef Hats
• Aprons
• Tablecloths
• Table Runners

• Placemats
• Cloth Napkins (cocktail, dinner napkins, etc.)
• Fabric Potato Bag (Always use cotton embroidery thread for things that will be heated.)
• Fabric Tortilla Warmer (Check out this tutorial to make one.)
• Casserole Carriers
• Wine Bottle Apron: This is a cute idea and an easy pattern to sew or purchase. 

Bedroom and Living Areas

• Pillowcases
• Tops of Bed Sheets
• Throw Pillows (Embroider before stuffing.)
• Mermaid Sequin Pillows (Be careful to choose the right supplies.)
• Fabric Baskets (Embroider before constructing.)
• Firewood Log Carrier: I’m as surprised as you that a firewood log carrier exists and can be embroidered. You can buy that blank here!

Other Home Embroidery Projects

• Hanging Garden Flags (Think burlap, drop cloth, or even canvas)
• Sewing Machine or Embroidery Machine Covers
• Cricut Covers

Home items tend to be flat and woven, so they are excellent machine embroidery project ideas for beginners. They’ll be much easier to embroider than knitted, stretchy blanks. 

Clothing and Accessories Items to Embroider

Look no further than your own closet when searching for things to embroider on!

Just remember, you can use a seam ripper to temporarily take apart seams and remove pockets if you need to isolate a single layer for embroidering. Then, serge or sew the pieces back together after you’re done.

Here’s a big list of clothing items to embroider on. 

• Cotton T-Shirts (Here’s how to embroider a shirt.)
• Polo Shirts
• Button-Down Dress Shirts (Monogramming a breast pocket is popular for bridesmaids and more.)
• Tank Tops
• Camisoles
• Flannel Shirts (Read some tips for flannel embroidery.)
• Sweatshirts

• Denim Jackets (Check out my Mommy & Me embroidered denim jackets.)
• Fleece Jackets
• Puffy Jackets
• Leather Jackets: I’m too chicken to embroider directly onto a leather jacket and instead prefer embroidering patches!
• Ponchos
• Rain Coats 
• Wind Breakers
• Sweaters

• Sweatshirts (Here’s how to embroider a sweatshirt.)
• Rompers
• Dresses
• Denim Jeans and Jeans Pockets: You need a seam ripper for these unless you have an embroidery machine with a small free arm that can fit inside pockets or legs. 
• Leggings or Yoga Pants: Take them apart at the seams or embroider before construction to get embroidery along the legs. However, if you use a sock hoop, you can embroider the hem area easily!
• Vests: Be it a vest that makes a fashion statement or a puffer vest that’s meant to keep you warm. 

• Tie-Up Shoes: You can pull out the tongues from Converse, Keds, or Vans shoes to embroider on shoes.
• Boots (Make sure they can unzip for flatbed machines.)
• Flip Flops: Find flip-flops that have removable parts.)

• Slippers: (Learn how to embroider slippers like these my above slippers that have a hook and loop fastener and open to a single layer.)

• Shoelaces (Here’s how to embroider shoelaces.)

• Socks (Did you know you can embroider socks?)
• Athletic Gear
• Swimsuits
• Swimsuit Cover-Ups

• Baseball Caps (Read this tutorial for machine embroidering hats.)

• Beanies (Fleece or knitted both work. Check out tips for embroidering beanie hats.)

• Mittens or Gloves (Using the same technology as socks, you can also embroider gloves!)
• Pajamas
• Robes
• Men’s Ties

• Sleeve Cuffs (Learn how to monogram a shirt cuff with your embroidery machine.)
• Visors
• Straw Hats: You can use regular straw hats, although ones with ribbons that unroll are easier to fit on a machine. 
• Scarves and Pashminas: Make sure that the design matches the weight of the scarf. 
• Handkerchiefs
• Underwear, Sports Bras, and Other Lingerie

• Hairbows (Monogramming hair bows is fun!)
• Hair Wraps
• Cosplay (I made Harry Potter robes for Halloween and embroidered patches on them just recently.)
• Belts: Leather and webbing belts, especially, are reasonably easy to embroider. 

Baby Blanks Ideas for Embroidery

Of course, many things to embroider in an adult’s closet will work for babies, too, but here are more things to embroider that also make great baby shower embroidery gifts!

• Burp Cloths:  I prefer to embroider muslin burp cloths because they’re softer than three-fold diapers.

• Bibs: Knitted terry cloth bibs are my favorites to embroider on. 
• Hooded Towels: Sew your own hooded towel or purchase one to embroider a character or funny face on the hood.

• Onesies or Body Suits: Stitch months, monograms, or even your favorite saying on onesies. Check out some of these places to buy embroidery blanks for side-snap options that are easier to hoop!
• Other Baby Clothes (Dresses, Shirts, Shorts, Rompers, Etc.)
• Baby Gowns
• Diaper Bags
• Knot Top Hats or Other Baby Caps
• Lovies
• Bottle Bag Holders
• Headbands
• Baby Blankets or Quilts
• Sleep Sacks: Pick sacks with zippers for easy access.
• Swaddles or Swaddle Blankets: Make sure the embroidery isn’t too rough for newborns if it’s going to go against their skin.
• Bloomers and Diaper Covers
• Changing Pad Covers or On-the-Go Changing Pads
• Dolls: Grab a doll that’s easy to seam rip, or use a doll with a built-in dress to which you can hoop to add embroidery.
• Seatbelt Covers or Car Seat Strap Shoulder Covers: These are held together by hook and loop fasteners and are easy to float and embroider. 
• Sun Shirts (UPF Clothing) or Swimsuits
• Shopping Cart Covers
• Zipper Sleepers, Nightgowns, or Other Pajamas
• Bucket Hats
• Christening Bonnets and Outfits
• Nap Mats for Preschoolers

For Kids and For School

For bigger kids, here are other things to embroider for them that I haven’t mentioned. Check out my list of back-to-school embroidery projects for more pictures and details!

• Pencil Bags
• Laptop Bag

• Backpacks (here’s how to embroider a backpack!)
• Sports Bags
• Lanyards
• Lunch Box
• Notebook Cover
• Pencil Toppers
• Popsicle Covers: Embroider before you sew up the sides, and use neoprene, felt, or another insulating fabric. 
• Stuffed Balls: For example, this baseball with an easy-access zipper.
• Doll Clothes: Check out my article on 100+ free doll clothes patterns to find options to sew and embroider for a child’s favorite doll! 

Things to Embroider In The Hoop 

With machine embroidery, some items can be embroidered and constructed in the hoop of an embroidery machine. 

Check out my list of free in-the-hoop embroidery designs websites for more options, but here are some of my favorite projects that haven’t been mentioned yet!

• Key Fobs
• Felties
• Luggage Tags
• Luggage Handles: Purchase ones with Velcro, or sew one from neoprene or quilted fabric.
• Coasters
• Bookmarks
• Sanitizer Holders
• Chapstick Holders: These are easy to sew from fabric, vinyl, or neoprene. Making them in-the-hoop is easy also with a good design! 
• Wristlets and Pouches
• Koozies and Bottle Coolers: You can buy flat koozies and bottle coolers that you embroider and then sew up yourself. Some options also have zippers for easy access.
• Coffee Koozies (Like the ones at Starbucks, but make these out of fabric or neoprene, and add a design!)
• Water Bottle Insulators: Buy these also unsewn or use a multi-needle embroidery machine to stitch a monogram or fun saying on them.
• Hanging Banners: Whether you call it bunting, a banner, or a pennant flag, creating one out of burlap, chalk cloth, or your favorite fabric is easy.
• Costume Masks

Things to Embroider For Holidays

Whether it’s Easter, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or another holiday, here are a few cute things to embroider for the occasion. 

• Ornaments (Felt, free-standing lace, or many other options!)
• Tree Toppers
• Stockings: Add a name or saying to the top.
• Tooth Fairy Pillow
• Gift Bags or Sacks
• Santa Sacks
• Gift Card Holders
• Christmas Cards

• Stuffed Animals: Embroider an ear, belly, paw, or even foot of a stuffed animal for a fun holiday embroidery project. (Here’s how to embroider bunny ears.) 
• Gift Tags
• Christmas Cookie Bags
• Fabric Easter Baskets (or embroider a fabric liner to place in a wicker Easter basket.)
• Halloween Fabric Baskets
• Tree Skirt
• Garlands

Check out my complete list of machine embroidery gift ideas for more!

Totes, Bags, and Carrying Items

Here are things that you carry but can also embroider to add personalization! 

• Fanny Packs
• Messenger Bags with Flaps that Open 
• Purses
• Clutches with Flaps that Open
• Beach Bags
• Clear Vinyl Bags: Embroidery can decrease waterproof qualities, though.
• Glasses Cases: Neoprene cases with zippers are easiest to embroider, but you can embroider as you create your own from cotton fabric. 
• Sunglasses or Reading Glasses Straps (Just get them wide enough!)
• Weekender Bags
• Luggage (Zipper pouches on the outside are easiest to access.)
• Bible Cover Carrying Bags: You can sew your own or purchase one from Sew for Less.

• Duffel Bags
• Fabric Coolers: Embroidering a top that unzips or a front zipper pocket is a “cool” thing to embroider!
• Makeup or Cosmetic Bags: Round, square, or rectangular, just make sure you can hoop it in a single layer. 
• Drawstring Backpacks: Ripstop and lightweight fabrics are more difficult to embroider without puckering or issues, so choose a simple design, and make sure you can isolate a single layer of the backpack to embroider. 
• Garment Bags: Heavier fabrics like canvas are foolproof to embroider. 

Embroidering For Pets

Pets need embroidered items also! Here are some fun things to embroider for pets that also sell well. You can purchase leashes and collars at Dollar Tree, for instance, and mark them up over 10x. 

• Dog Collars (learn how to embroider a dog collar….so easy!)
• Dog Bed Covers
• Leashes: You can make your own from webbing or purchase an inexpensive one with a dog’s name on it! 
• Treat Bags
• Toys (cute embroidered mouse for your favorite cat, anyone?)
• Dog Bandanas (Spoonflower has a great free pattern.)

Jewelry Embroidery Options

Embroidered jewelry is often made in the hoop, and this fun and unique embroidery idea deserves its own section!

• Leather or Faux-leather Tear Drop Earrings 
• FSL Earrings
• FSL Necklaces
• Bracelets (Leather or even free-standing lace.)
• Jewelry Cases (Choose a soft one that unzips easily.)

Other Fun Things to Embroider and Interesting Techniques

Here are some miscellaneous machine embroidery project ideas that didn’t fit the above categories. Some are techniques, and others are project ideas. 

Material and Project Options

• Cork Fabric
• Velvet
• Tulle

• Balsa Wood (Read my balsa wood embroidery tutorial.)
• Ribbon: Grosgrain ribbon, satin ribbon, and organza ribbon are my favorites to embroider. 
• Aida Cloth (Cross-Stitch embroidery designs mimic the real thing!)
• Vinyl or Oilcloth
• Wool
• Chalk Cloth
• Cardstock

• Paper Doilies: Here’s my doily embroidery tutorial.

• • Yoga Mats (Check out how to embroider a yoga mat.)
  • Face Masks
  • Camera Straps
  • Guitar Straps
  • Umbrellas
  • Clothing Labels (use ribbon or twill to make personalized labels for clothes you sew!)
  • Zippers (embroider the outer fabric area and use it as an exposed zipper.)
  • Golf Head Covers: Check out the blank options at Soft Stuff Creations. 
  • Thin Metal

Techniques

• Free-Standing Lace (Learn to make free-standing lace.)
• Quilt Labels and Quilt Blocks: (Start with these 15 free machine embroidery quilting designs.)
• Mylar Embroidery (KimberBell makes Mylar sheets for this.)
• Patches
• Puffy Foam: John Deer has the best tutorial for puffy foam embroidery.
• Applique Everything!

Phew, that’s it for now! Any other embroidery blanks ideas or things to embroider and sell or keep that you love?