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10/28/2016 Stabilizers: A Simple Guide <strong>Embroidery</strong> Article<br />
stabilizers come in weights from heavy to light and should be matched to the weight of the<br />
fabric. Cutaway stabilizer is a favorite of mine and the ironon version is excellent for<br />
stabilizing stretchy tshirt and knit fabrics.<br />
Tear away: This is a temporary stabilizer that is carefully torn of f after the embroidery is completed. It’ s best for woven cotton fabric<br />
and redwork. It’s not the best choice for dense designs because the needle may shred the stabilizer to bits. Y ou’ll end up with a<br />
design that will pucker , distort and outlines that will misalign and wander all over the embroidery .<br />
Fusible Polymesh Cutaway<br />
Sticky back stabilizer: A good choice for those hard to hoop items such as socks, collar tips, and shirt cuf fs. To provide additional<br />
stability with the tear away sticky stabilizer, I place a piece of cutaway stabilizer beneath the hoop.<br />
§<br />
Stabilizer (topping) : This wonderful product is used to keep the embroidery from sinking into the pile of the fabric and is also used<br />
to make embroidered lace and completely disappears when rinsed. Use of a topping is very important when embroidering on<br />
towels, fleece or any fabric with a pile. The topping is water soluble and resembles a thin clear sheet of plastic. After the fabric is<br />
stabilized and hooped, apply a piece of topping to the top of the fabric; you can secure the topping with temporary spray adhesive if<br />
you’d like. After the embroidery is completed, clip the jump stitches and then gently tear away the topping or wash the embroidered<br />
item to completely remove the topping.<br />
A few closing thoughts: Remember to match the stabilizer with the fabric you’re<br />
embroidering. If your fabric is unstable and moves about, you’ll need an iron on cutaway<br />
stabilizer to provide permanent stability to the embroidery .<br />
Use tear away stabilizer when embroidering on sheets, linens and other lightweight<br />
woven fabrics. Most tightly woven cottons provide adequate support for the embroidery<br />
after the stabilizer is removed.<br />
Have fun experimenting with the many types of stabilizer currently on the market and learn<br />
from your mistakes. Take comfort in knowing that I’ve fallen victim to just about every<br />
embroidery disaster known to man. Or woman.<br />
Cutaway Stabilizer<br />
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Meet The Author: Deborah Richardson<br />
Deborah Richardson is a customer service representative for <strong>Embroidery</strong>Designs.com<br />
and has been involved in machine embroidery for several years. She resides in Poulsbo,<br />
Washington with her husband, three rescued Jack Russell terriers and a spirited horse<br />
or two. Her embroideries can be seen at local boutiques and she also supplies<br />
personalized items for riding stables. Recently retired as a civilian with the U. S. Navy ,<br />
Deborah also holds both a nursing and private pilot license.<br />
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