So many Stabilizers... for Embroidery

Stabilizers, sometimes called Backing are the backbone to embroidery. The unsung hero's that allow us to embroider on all types of fabrics and items.
The rule of thumb, saving a little bit of money and buying cheap stabilizers will often cost you more in the long run. The cheap products often need to use double the amount of Stabilizer pieces to stabilize the product well, whereas a quality product will need less layers. Also, a cheap stabilizer often shrinks once washed, making customers upset and an upset customer isn't a returning customer and they could even demand a refund.
Stabilizers have a variation of differences. One of them is weight. This matters because different items need either a heavier or lighter weight stabilizers to help "Stabilize the Fabric" while running embroidery.

There's Rolls of stabilizers and Pre-Cut, which is exactly as it sounds. Pre-cuts cost a little more but save you time in cutting the stabilizer yourself. Which gives you even more time to run your embroidery.

The most important is to ensure you are buying a quality stabilizer so there's no shrinkage when washed. We only sell what we feel is the best on the market, Glide. Best yet, it is American Made. Plus they have been tested to have passed all washed and shrinkage evaluations. Meaning, they won't shrink on you and are guaranteed to hold up to 1000 washes.

Cutaway Stabilizer - If the material is stretchy in any way,  Cutaway is going to be the right way to go. There are a few different types of Cutaway, let's delve into them. There are some various weights .

Cutaway comes in a few different forms. There's the economy, still a quality product, and there's Soft Cut which is one of our absolute favorites!

Economy - getting a quality product, all the guarantees. Just a bit more economical.

Softcut -we love so much that we put it with our embroidery machine package. It is so very soft and pliable. This is created from low to even the highest stitch counts. In our opinion, far surpasses any other on the market.

Classic Grid - This is cutaway stabilizers that has a grid pattern and was made with an inner woven core for extra strength. From low to the highest stitch counts, this product will always be right for any project. You often only need one sheet where multiple sheets of normal stabilizer were needed before. Soft yet strong.

Pro-Fit -  This is one of those products that came out of necessity, for those embroiders who needed to stabilize the thin materials. Products like Performance garments (such as dryfit or underarmor, or dry wicking garments)  T-shirts, Dress work shirts, and dresses. If it is very stretchy material, or very very thin, this product can help you stabilize it.

Peel n Stick - This product is as it sounds. It has one side that has a sheet on it that you remove and is sticky. Sticking to the product you are about to embroider or sew on. Often used for floating and/or applique.  These are perfect for Fast Frames, Durkee Frames and even the Hoop Tech set of frames.  Cut away unneeded excess.

Wash Away - A product that is very light weight and works great with knits. Once you wash the item, it leaves no remaining stabilizer, leaving nothing more than your beautiful stitching.

Tearaway Stabilizer= Tearaway isn't just for hats, though you should only use a tearaway on hats. Tearaway are great on bag, purses, shoes, and more. Often used in floating.  When you don't want any part of the stabilizer seen again, this is your perfect choice. The stabilizer tears off easily and cleanly.
There are different weights.  can easily be used in layers, and come in rolls or pre-cut.

TearStitch - is soft and made for any level of stitch count. A little stronger but still easy to rip

Easy Rip - This product is an interesting one. It is easily ripped from any angle. The sheets look almost perforated but on a larger scaled, creating the ease of tearing the product away. I've hear this called the waffle style stabilizer.

Rapid tear- This is an easier rip product, making tearing away that much simpler.

Tear n Wash - A soft tear away backing that is lightweight and you simply wash the stabilizer away. once washed, there is no stabilizer left behind, just your beautiful stitching. Great for products that are knit or any product you don't want stabilizer left on.

TearStitch Iron-On - This product is great for making lace or stabilizing your stretchy fabrics or knits. But this product has one little secret that I think everyone should know about. It does NOT leave a sticky residue like other sticky styled products do. This could be the product you were always looking for and didn't know about.

Thermal Clear - This is an interesting product that can be used either on top of the fabric (which is the most common) or under the fabric, depending on the project. Instead of using water or steam to remove, you tear away the excess and then you use an dry iron (no steam) to melt away the product.  Thermal clear will sort of ball up and then can be brushed away. If it is under stitches, it will continue to remain under the stitches. The product can be used with sewing machines as well as embroidery machines. You can even use this product with hand stitching. You can draw or trace on the product to help you follow the lines. Great to use on Silk, Satin, Velvet and Corduroy.  This is in our Specialty Stabilizers area, comes in a 25y roll by 8 inches high. And has perforations every 8 inches.

Solvy  or Water Soluble -  a Great and handy product for every embroiderer. If you don't have a Solvy in your kit, you need to purchase immediately. Solvy is used for the top of the garment and helps all of your embroidery stand out. Keeps your stitches from not sinking into the fabric, resulting in a crisp definition and detail to your work. Best used for plush type items where the stitches sink in too far, like Fleece and terrycloth.  Also great for using on silks, satin, velvet, corduroy, mesh and even the mesh on the hats. This creates a non-detectable layer so your stitches show up beautifully.

Cover a Stitch- This item is a great little item. You use Cover a Stitch on the back of the item you embroidered or sewed on to help keep the wearer from being irritated by the stitches. Perfect for items where metallic threads have been used. So soft, this product is perfect for baby wear, and great for anyone who has sensitive skin or if the embroidery is in a sensitive area. Making the embroidered or sewn item easily wearable for all.

Fusible - this item 'Glues' or fuses two items together. The item uses a dry heat and adheres two products together. Great for patches and badges when you don't want to have to sew them together. There's a sheet to be removed from both sides. Use a regular iron on the highest setting for best results. (Item needs to be washed in cold and can be dried only on no heat).

#Embroidery #Embroiderystabilizer #stabilizer #Backing