Why You Do Have to Use Stabilizer When Embroidering

There are different types of fabrics, and each type responds differently to sewing and digitizing embroidery. Different fabrics have different textures. To make it easier to sew embroidery on different types of fabrics, there are products that can be used as stabilizers. These products help the fabric become more receptive to embroidery so that it is simpler to stitch on a variety of fabric textures.

Do I have to use stabilizer when embroidering?

As an embroiderer, you can use stabilizers to make your embroidery process easier. Stabilizers allow embroiderers to correctly sew embroidery on different types of fabrics. Stabilizers are also called embroidery backings.

Procedure for Using Stabilizer When Embroidering

Step 1. Determine the type of fabric you will be embroidering. This helps determine the type of backing you need for your embroidery process.

Step 2. Secure the fabric to the hoop before you start sewing. This ensures your fabric is tight enough to work. It can also help you understand how light or heavy the fabric is and the type of embroidery needle you need for your embroidery.

Step 3. Soak the stabilizer on the fabric on the hoop. The portion of fabric on the hoop has been identified as the portion of fabric to be embroidered. Attach the stabilizer to this part of the fabric.

Step 4. With the stabilizer in place, you can now place your embroidery design on the stabilizer to confirm that it is large enough for the embroidery.

Step 5. Now, sew the embroidery onto the stabilizer and fabric. You can use an embroidery machine or embroider by hand. When embroidering by hand, make sure you choose the appropriate embroidery needle for the fabric you are sewing.

Step 6. Depending on the type of stabilizer you are using, you may be able to remove it after your embroidery is complete.

Tear-off stabilizers can be easily torn from the fabric, water-soluble stabilizers must be immersed in water to be removed from the fabric. You can also use leave-in stabilizers that will stay in the fabric to hold the embroidery in place.

Step 7. Remove the fabric from the hoop and verify that you have finished your embroidery as intended. When embroidery mistakes happen, you can fix them very easily. Although it also depends on the fabric of the clothes.

Types of Stabilizers Available for Embroidery

Cutting stabilizer

A cut stabilizer, as the name suggests, is an embroidery stabilizer that can be easily cut from the fabric after the embroidery is set. Best for machine embroidery projects. However, it is useful when you are hand embroidering stretchy fabrics.

The stabilizer section where the embroidered design resides remains unchanged on the fabric. Therefore, cutting stabilizers are also called permanent stabilizers.

The part that stays on the fabric provides a permanent backing because unlike some other stabilizers it won't tear after multiple washes.

To use this stabilizer, you need to attach it to the wrong side of the garment. This allows you to cut excess stabilizer from the embroidery

You can also use this backing when embroidering hats.

Tear off stabilizer

As the name suggests, the tear-off stabilizer can be removed after the embroidery is done. Unlike cut stabilizers, tear stabilizers can be completely removed from the fabric after the embroidery is finished.

Tear stabilizers work best with non-elastic fabrics. You can use it for strong and non-stretch woven and natural fiber fabrics.

Embroiderers use tearaway stabilizers when they don't want the embroidery design to appear on the other side of the fabric they are embroidering.

Cut stabilizers are best used for decorative stitching and paper splicing in printing. It is capable of handling a large number of stitches.

When tearing apart after embroidery, make sure to hold the stitches firmly. This ensures that the stabilizer leaves the stitches on the fabric when removed.

Wash off stabilizer

A wash-off soluble stabilizer is a stabilizer that dissolves in water. The torn stabilizer is torn from the fabric, the cut stabilizer is cut off, and the water-soluble stabilizer is dissolved in warm water to remove it from the used fabric. It can also be used to create lace in projects.

When you are done with your embroidery project, you can now remove the stabilizer. Put it under warm running water. This will dissolve and wash off your stabilizer.

Before you stop running water on your embroidery, make sure there is no stabilizer on the fabric.

You can use this stabilizer when embroidering sheer fabrics.

Fusible stabilizer

A fusible stabilizer is a special kind of stabilizer. It is also known as interface and is suitable for standard embroidery. It is also used when sewing.

To use this stabilizer, you need to iron it on to the back of the fabric you are going to embroider or sew on. This helps ensure your fabric doesn't stretch while it's in the hoop, and helps you see clearly the area of ​​fabric you're embroidering.

No display stabilizer

The stabilizer that doesn't appear is another dedicated stabilizer. It's thin, light and strong. Best used for added stability when embroidering on knitted fabrics. For best results, use this stabilizer in combination with a tear stabilizer.

Stabilizers not shown are invisible when used in light colored fabrics, hence the name. You can remove this stabilizer with heat or water after you've finished your embroidery.

Water topping

Aqua toppings are another special embroidery stabilizer. The aqua topping stabilizer is placed on top of the fabric to be embroidered.

It works with textured and delicate fabrics. By laying it on top of the fabric, it helps keep the stitches from sinking into the fabric.

For best results, you will want a backing when using the aqua topping. As you go through the embroidery, you can remove the aqua topping by tearing it apart or spraying water on it until it dissolves or there are no traces of the stabilizer.

Water active stabilizer

This is another specialty stabilizer. As the name suggests, this stabilizer has an adhesive coating that is activated by water. It's a heavyweight stabilizer that ensures you can make heavy stitches for embroidery.

To remove this stabilizer after embroidery, you can either peel it off, or lift the edge of the fabric and spray some water on it to loosen it from the fabric. Repeat this process until the entire stabilizer has been removed from the fabric.

When Should Stabilizers Be Used?

Stabilizers are most commonly used when embroidering on elastic fabrics. As the name suggests, when you use a stabilizer, your fabric is held firmly in place. This ensures that your embroidery stitches stay on the fabric as intended.

You can also use stabilizer when embroidering or sewing light-colored fabrics. The stabilizer ensures that the back of sewing or embroidery cannot be seen through the fabric.

When working on lightweight fabrics, you may also need a stabilizer to make sure the stitches stay in place and the fabric doesn't tear.

Which type of stabilizer should you use on which fabrics

With different types of stabilizers, which one is best for the different fabrics being processed?

You can use tear-off stabilizers when working with fabrics and garments such as t-shirts, canvas, leather and corduroy.

Wash-off stabilizers work best on fabrics such as cotton sheets, woven shirts, and denim. Whereas water soluble stabilizers are used in silk, lycra and terry fabrics.