Ultimate Guide to Choosing Paper for Paper Embroidery

My Personal Tips, Favorite Brands, and Where to Shop for the Perfect Stitching Canvas

Hello, stitcher friends!

If you’ve been following Flourishing Fibers for a while, you know that paper embroidery is my passion. And from the very beginning, the number one question I get asked—after "What awl do you use?"—is always, "What kind of paper do you use?"

It’s a great question! The paper you choose is the foundation of your entire project. It can affect everything from the stitching experience to the final look of your piece. Today, I'm pulling back the curtain and sharing everything I know about choosing the perfect paper.

A Great Place to Start: Watercolor Paper

When I first started, one of the first paper types I fell in love with was watercolor paper. What I immediately loved was its beautiful texture, often called "tooth." It adds a wonderful character and a high-quality feel to any project.

Pros of using watercolor paper:

• Easy to Find: It's available at almost any local art or craft store.

• Affordable: You can find many affordable, high-quality options.

• Perfect for Mixed Media: It opens the door to combining your embroidery with watercolor paints, inks, or colored pencils.

The main downside is the limited color selection, which is what leads many of us to explore the vast world of cardstock.

My Secret Weapon for Choosing Paper Online: Sample Books!

Shopping for cardstock online can be overwhelming and expensive. It’s nearly impossible to judge the true weight, texture, and color of paper through a screen. This is where my secret weapon comes in: paper sample books!

As a business owner, I've done a lot of research, and getting physical samples is the single best way to discover what you love without committing to a whole pack. You can feel the texture and see the true colors in person.

My Go-To Brands for Flourishing Fibers

After testing dozens of samples, I’ve landed on two brands that I use for about 90% of all Flourishing Fibers projects.

1. ColorPlan

This paper is my absolute favorite. It has the perfect amount of tooth—it reminds me of a refined, high-quality construction paper. It’s durable, comes in a huge range of beautiful colors, and is available in several different weights.

2. Gmund

This German brand creates stunning, high-end paper collections. The one I use most is their Wood collection. It’s an embossed paper with the most beautiful and realistic wood grain texture I’ve ever seen. It’s a total showstopper and adds a unique, organic feel to any piece.

Good News! You Can Find My Favorites in the Shop

After all that talk about my favorite papers, I have some exciting news! I know sourcing the perfect paper can sometimes be a hassle, so to make things easier for you, I’ve curated a selection of my go-to ColorPlan and Gmund papers right in the Flourishing Fibers shop.

This way, you can skip the endless searching and grab project-ready sheets that I personally use and recommend. It's the perfect way to try out a few high-quality options and get started on your next project right away!

SHOP PAPER GOODS

A Quick Guide to Paper Weight (It Matters!)

Paper weight can feel technical, but it’s crucial for a good stitching experience. This is my personal preference, but here’s the range I stick to:

• My Sweet Spot: 100 lb cover (which is about 270 gsm)

• The Lightest I’ll Go: 80 lb cover (216 gsm)

• The Heaviest I’ll Go: 110 lb cover (300 gsm)

Why this range? Lighter paper can easily bend or crease while you’re handling it. On the other hand, paper that’s too heavy can be a real pain—literally!—to pierce. It's hard on your hands and your tools. The goal is an enjoyable, relaxing process, not a painful workout!

Where to Find Your Perfect Paper

So, where can you actually buy these papers? Here are the places I have personally shopped from and recommend.

For Hobbyists and General Public (Retail)

• Cardstock Warehouse: A fantastic online shop. They carry ColorPlan, Lessebo, and many other brands. You can buy full sample sheets to test.

• Cards & Pockets: Another great source. They carry both ColorPlan and the Gmund Wood collection. Their comprehensive swatch deck includes all their paper lines.

• Legion Paper: While known as an art paper company, their website offers sample pads of their own paper lines, which is another great way to test different textures and weights.

For Registered Businesses (Wholesale)

• Announcement Converters: This is where I shop wholesale and in bulk for my business. You will need a seller's permit to access their full catalog and pricing.

I hope this guide gives you the confidence to explore the wonderful world of paper and find the perfect canvas for your next creation. There is truly no right or wrong answer—it's all about finding what works best for you.

Happy Stitching! Sara