In this guide, we’re sharing practical tips for adding machine embroidery to fabric baskets, tote bags, and storage bins, including how to plan placement, stabilize your materials, and stitch designs successfully on both woven and non-woven fabrics.

To demonstrate these techniques, we partnered with Purely Gates Embroidery using our Bloomwood Storage Bins Pattern to create a reusable embroidered Easter basket, perfect for spring gifting, decorating, and organizing! The project also highlights Mylar embroidery, a technique that adds a subtle shimmer and decorative dimension to stitched designs.

Even better, the techniques you’ll learn apply to many future bag-making and home décor projects.

Embroidery adds texture, detail, and personality to sewing projects that might otherwise be purely functional.

It works especially well on projects like:

• Tote bags

• Duffle bags

• Backpacks 

• Gift bins

• Fabric bins for craft rooms or playrooms

Because these projects typically include large flat panels, they offer the perfect canvas for machine embroidery.

Instead of treating embroidery as a separate craft, combining embroidery with bag making allows you to create custom, heirloom-quality pieces that feel both practical and artistic.

One of the most important skills in machine embroidery is understanding design placement. When embroidery is positioned thoughtfully, it looks integrated into the project.

Here are several tips to help you plan embroidery placement with confidence!

Embroider Before Assembling the Project

In most cases, embroidery should be stitched before sewing the bag or basket together.

Working with flat fabric pieces makes it easier to:

• Hoop the fabric properly

• Keep stitching smooth and even

• Avoid bulky seams or handles interfering with the embroidery machine

For basket or tote patterns, the embroidery is usually added to the front exterior panel before construction begins.

Placement should reflect how the item will be seen and used.

For example:

• Center placement works well for decorative baskets or gift bins.

• Higher placement ensures the design remains visible when the basket is filled.

• Offset placement can create a more modern look.

Always consider elements that will be added later, such as:

• Handles

• Label pockets

• Decorative trim

• Seams or topstitching

Planning around these features keeps the design clean and intentional.

Once you've chosen the embroidery location, mark it clearly before hooping.

Helpful methods include:

• Washable fabric markers

• Chalk pencils

• Centering templates from your embroidery machine

Taking a few minutes to measure placement ensures your embroidery lands exactly where you want it.

Another exciting part of combining embroidery with bag making is the ability to stitch on a variety of materials.

Common options include:

Woven Fabrics

• Quilting cotton

• Canvas

• Linen

• Home décor fabrics

These materials are straightforward to embroider with the appropriate stabilizer.

Non-Woven Materials

Many modern bag projects use materials such as:

• Faux leather

• Cork fabric

• Vinyl

These materials can absolutely be embroidered, but they often require:

• Cut away stabilizer

• Floating the fabric in the hoop

• Slightly adjusted stitch densities

Learning how to embroider on these materials opens the door to more advanced bag-making designs and beautiful mixed-material projects!

To demonstrate these embroidery techniques, we’re collaborating with Purely Gates Embroidery using the Bloomwood Storage Bins Pattern.

Bloomwood is a structured storage bin pattern designed to organize spaces throughout the home. The pattern includes three versatile sizes, making it ideal for projects ranging from decorative entryway baskets to craft room storage.

Features of the Bloomwood pattern include:

• Structured storage design that holds its shape

• Optional faux leather handles

• Optional clear label pockets

• Decorative applique options

• Panels perfect for showcasing embroidery

For this collaboration, the embroidered Bloomwood Bins became a set of reusable Easter baskets, but they can easily transition into everyday spring storage after the holiday.

One of the special techniques featured in this project is Mylar embroidery, which creates a beautiful shimmering effect behind stitched designs.

Mylar is a thin reflective film that is placed underneath embroidery stitches to add sparkle, color, and dimension to a design. When the embroidery machine stitches over the film, the stitches hold the Mylar in place while small areas of the film remain visible between the threads.

The result is a subtle reflective finish that catches the light and gives embroidery designs a decorative, almost magical look.

For this Bloomwood project, the Mylar designs from Purely Gates add a playful sparkle that works beautifully for spring and Easter-themed sewing!

How Mylar Embroidery Works

The process is simple and beginner-friendly:

1. The embroidery design begins stitching normally.

2. The machine pauses to allow placement of the Mylar film.

3. The embroidery stitches secure the film in place.

4. Excess Mylar is gently torn away around the stitched areas.

Because the stitches hold the film securely, only the portions framed by the embroidery remain visible, creating a polished decorative effect.

Where Mylar Works Best

Mylar embroidery looks especially beautiful on projects with clean, visible panels, such as:

• Fabric baskets

• Tote bags

• Duffle bags

• Handbags

• Gift bins

• Pouches or organizers

• Decorative pillows
  
  

For this collaboration, the Bloomwood Storage Bins provide the perfect surface to showcase these reflective embroidery details while keeping the project practical and functional.

The Mylar Easter Mini Set from Purely Gates was used for this project, bringing just the right amount of sparkle to the embroidered Easter basket design!

The embroidery designs featured in this project come from the Mylar Easter Mini Set by Purely Gates. These designs add sparkle and personality to seasonal sewing projects and work beautifully on baskets, bags, and gift bins!

One of the things we love most about this project is its versatility.

While the embroidered Bloomwood Bins make beautiful Easter baskets, they easily transition into everyday storage.

After Easter, it can be used for:

• Toy organization in a playroom

• Craft supplies in a sewing space

• Decorative storage in an entryway

• Gift baskets for future holidays or celebrations

Instead of sewing something that’s used only once a year, you’re creating a functional piece of handmade décor!