Are you ready to learn how you can make your embroidery look even better? As part of our new Embroidery 101 series, this episode of Embroidery Hub will explain the basics of stabilizers, from what fabrics need stabilizer, to all the different types of stabilizers you can use to make sure your designs always come out looking their best.
Learn how to best use stabilizer to embroider on a knitted sweater here: • Embroidery Hub Ep. 33:...
Watch an embroidery expert embroider a soft hat with tear-away backing here: • Embroidery Hub Ep. 36:...
You can learn more about embroidering stretchy polyester fabrics using no-show cut away here: • How to Embroider Sport...
Learn about the best water-soluble stabilizers and how to use them here: • 4 Best Water Soluble S...
See how water-soluble topping compares to heat-soluble toppings here: • Water Soluble Vs. Heat...
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Stabilizer, or backing, is used to prevent your fabric from puckering or moving while you embroider. This added support is mostly needed in thin or stretchy fabrics, as they are flimsy and tend to move a lot when embroidering. A good rule of thumb when trying to pick the right stabilizer for your garment is that the thinner the fabric, the thicker your stabilizer should be. If your fabric is already thick, you should use a thinner stabilizer.
The first type of stabilizer we discuss is cut-away stabilizer, which is the thickest and most stable type of backing available. Cut-away stabilizer needs to be cut away after you finish embroidering to give it a cleaner finish. This stabilizer is best used with materials that stretch (such as knits), loosely woven fabrics, fabrics with no structure like dad caps and fabrics that will be worn and washed frequently to make sure the design does not lose its shape over time.
The second type of stabilizer is tear away. Tear-away stabilizer is used for light support on thicker, firmly woven, natural-fiber fabrics that don’t stretch, such as terry cloth, robes, blankets, leather, etc. Tear-away is also used when you don’t want the backing to show on the back of your design.
Both cut-away and tear-away stabilizers come in different varieties. Not only do they come in different thicknesses, but they also come with adhesive backings, as a no-show ploy mesh and in different colors. These variations serve different purposes. For example, cut-away with an adhesive backing can provide more stability for exceptionally stretchy or slippery materials by adding even more stability and security to a garment. Poly-mesh or no-show stabilizers are lightweight and soft, but still stong enough to add stability to light fabrics and have the added bonus of not showing through sheerer fabrics.
The next type of stabilizer is called a topping. Toppings are dissolvable stabilizers that provide temporary support on delicate, mesh-like and difficult-to-mark fabrics like pique, fleece, terry cloth or corduroy. They can be torn away, or dissolved with heat or water, which is why toppings are often called “wash-away” stabilizers. This stabilizer prevents your stitches from sinking into fabrics and helps your designs stand out even on extremely textured fabrics, which is why toppings are often used when embroidering towels.
Lastly, we have specialty stabilizers. Specialty stabilizers, like poly-mesh, are used for very specific projects. For example, fusible stabilizers are used to provide support for very stretchy materials by fusing to the material with heat, giving it premiant support. Fusible backings can also be used to cover up embroidery stitches to keep them from irritating the skin, which is why they are often used in baby onesies. There is also fusible stabilizer that is water-activated and will firmly adhere to fabric once it is wet to provide a firm hold and extra support.
8 июл 2024
