Why is there a piece of cloth behind embroidery sewn on a shirt?

Answer:

The cloth is there to act as a base upon which the embroidery is made. There has to be something it can be sewn onto to support and secure it. If the embroidery material is thicker than the shirt fabric, the embroidery thread will need a stronger base, otherwise the shirt could tear. Basically, embroidery needs a base that is as thick, or thicker, than itself.

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