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There are many backings sold today for use in machine embroidery to stabilize
your fabric while sewing designs. Whether doing free motion embroidery
or programmed stitching, the end product can be improved when stabilizers
are used. These stabilizers often will give embroidery a better finished
look. Prevents puckering and bunching of stitches.
Embroidery Stabilizers can be permanent or temporary. Permanent backings are normally cut around after sewing the design. They are made to be washed with the garment. Temporary backings are removed after the design is done.
Tear-Away Stabilizers
Tear-Away is available in several weights and can be used in single or
double layers. It is recommended for use with medium to heavy
weight fabrics. Used for densely stitched embroidery designs.
After completing the design, it can be torn away in either the
horizontal or vertical direction. It should be removed carefully in order
to not disturb the stitches in your design. It is not recommended
for delicate fabrics or sweaters. It is available in Black and
White.
Iron-On Tear-Away.
This stabilizer is excellent for medium to heavyweight knit fabric. For best results when ironing on, be sure to avoid stretching the knit.
Adhesive-Backed Tear-Away.
Place Adhesive-Backed Tear-Away in your hoop. Peel away protective paper.
Then lay the fabric to be embroidered over the hoop and smooth
in place. Great for small collar areas, velvets, napped fabrics
and embroidering on patch blanks and baby bibs.
Soluble Stabilizer.
Use this stabilizer for delicate, washable fabric. Use for a high pile
fabric such as terry. It is a gelatin sheet that dissolves in
warm water. For a terry fabric, place stabilizer top and bottom
and place in hoop. For a finished design, use embroidery thread as the
bobbin thread.
Heat-Away® Stabilizer.
Use this stabilizer for fabrics that can tolerate heat but can not be washed. Also good for designs not dense enough for Tear-Away.
Tear-Away/Wash-Away Stabilizer.
This Tear-Away has un.
Cut-Away Stabilizers.
Cut-Away is used by professionals and is meant to remain with the garment. It washes well and is excellent for jobs where the stabilizer comes in contact with the skin, such as golf shirts or sweaters.
Poly-Mesh Cutaway.
Woven stabilizer especially designed for extra stability on lightweight fabrics and knits. Unlike regular Cut-Aways This semitransparent poly-mesh will not show through white garments.
Fusible Cut-Away.
This iron-on Cut-Away stabilizer is soft, lightweight and launders well. Used when designs on knits and unstable stretchy fabrics call for a permanent stabilizer.
To decide which backing to use, you need to evaluate the following:
The following are suggestions, if you are unfamiliar with stabilizers or are
just beginning with machine embroidery or embellishment.
After using the various stabilizers, you willl have a better idea, based on fabric type, which stabilizer to use or at least give you a starting point when selecting the best stabilizer for a project.
For example, if you enjoy working with knits and have limited time, purchase an inexpensive knit top and embellish it with several items from your machiens embroidery card using different stabilizers on each design. On one design, use one layer of TearAway, the next two layers, then one with heavy Tear Away and one with temporary adhesive backed Tear Away and the last with CutAway. Keep a diagram of what was used and where; then wear the garment.
After a number of washings you will determine which stabilizer works best
on your knit garment. If any puckering occurs when washed, a quick press
on the remaining designs will alleviate it.
To see our Embroidery Thread go to Embroidery Thread
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