When I first purchased my Brother SE 400 Embroidery Sewing Machine, and started creating machine embroidery, I didn’t realize there is a lot more to it than meets the eye. Hoops, stabilizers, stitch density, thread color, tension, etc. It can be a little confusing at first, but with a little research into my manual, I now understand how important these things are in creating a beautiful design. Choosing the right stabilizer, and hooping your project properly are the most important steps to a successful embroidery project. In this post, I want to address the different stabilizers, and why it matters.

What is Stabilizer?

Stabilizer is used as a backing for your embroidery design, to stabilize your fabric when it is placed in your hoop. Embroidery sewing machines operate in multi-directional manner, which pulls and stretches fabric, and stabilizers helps to hold your fabric flat to minimize distortion of your designs.

Why is it important?

Without the use of stabilizers, your fabric will pucker, and your needle won’t sew smoothly. Using the right stabilizer with your fabric is key to a successful embroidery design or appliqué.

Types of Stabilizers

There are 4 main types of stabilizers:

• Tear away (removed by tearing off around your embroidery design)
• Wash away (water soluable and removed by dissolving in water)
• Cut away (removed by cutting around your design)
• Heat away (removed by heat of an iron)

Stabilizers are also available in different weights. And, while some are permanent, and will remain on the backside of your design, most are temporary and removed after your embroidery is complete. There are also fusible stabilizers and non fusible.  You can use a spray on adhesive for non fusible stabilizer. Fusible versus non fusible is just a matter of personal preference. It can be confusing, but once you learn the differences, it will make your embroidery projects smooth and easy.

Which Stabilizer Should I Use?

It is important to choose a stabilizer that is compatible with your fabric. You will need to consider the weight of your fabric when selecting a stabilizer. Here are some general guidelines for selecting a stabilizer:

• Use Cut Away Stabilizer on knits, or loose woven fabric / available in light to heavy weight, and generally remain on the back of the fabric, except for what’s cut away around the design.
• Use Tear Away Stabilizer for natural fiber fabric, with tighter weave/available in light to heavy weight, fusible or non fusible, and removable.
• Use Wash Away Stabilizer for delicate fabrics, or a heavier water soluble stabilizer for lace work. Wash away can also be use on top of fabric for tracing designs in free motion embroidery, and fabrics with a dense nap to keep the stitches from sinking into the fabric. Available in plastic film, paper, spray, brush on, or liquid.  I have not used the brush on or liquid. (Adhesive backed film and paper available).
• Use Heat Away Stabilizer for fabrics that are too sheer for cut away, or too delicate for tear away or wash away. Sulky Heat Away  is specially made to get “crisp” and brush off when heated with an iron (follow directions).

There are so many stabilizers on the market, it can be overwhelming, but the basic rules will help you make the right decisions, although some things are learned by “trial and error.”  Every project is different, and requires some planning for the best results. There are a lot of resources on the internet that offer help and guidance for your embroidery project.

Generally, the lighter weight the fabric, the lighter weight the stabilizer. Keep your stabilizers in a sealed bag, as wash away stabilizers can dry out from long term air exposure and become crisp, or become sticky in high humidity.

Our new Embroidery Stabilizer video may help you with selecting stabilizers, and hooping your fabric.  You can view it below, or on our YouTube Channel.  You may also want to take a look at our other crochet and sewing “How To” videos  on our channel.

“We itch to stitch.”

Bonnie