Embroidery Stabilizer
The embroidery stabilizer is the backing used to stabilize your fabric while you stitch your favorite patterns. This is mostly used in machine embroidery. Some people argue that stabilizer is not needed. However they are essential to get a neat finishing. If you do not make use of embroidery stabilizer, the end product may not have better look and you may notice bunching of stitches. There are two types of embroidery stabilizer backings. First type is permanent backing and the second type is temporary backings. The permanent embroidery stabilizer is cut around after sewing and they are always washed with the garments. The temporary backings are removed after the process is over.
The need for embroidery stabilizer depends upon the material of fabrics that you are using. There are many types of embroidery stabilizer backings such as tear away stabilizers, iron on tear away, adhesive backed tear away, soluble stabilizer, heat-away stabilizer, stitch and ditch stabilizer. The tear away stabilizers are available in different weights and you can use them as single layer or double layer. You can use these types of stabilizers with medium to heavy weight fabrics and such embroidery patterns that are densely stitched. You tear them away after the pattern is finished. However you have to be very careful in removing them. Make sure not to disturb the stitches. These types of stabilizers are not recommended for delicate fabrics.
The iron-on tear away and adhesive backed tear away are value added embroidery stabilizer backings. The adhesive-backed backings contain peel away protective paper and are great for small areas. They stick to the garments and would not move and so you can get a neat finish. The soluble embroidery stabilizer is used in washable fabrics. This is nothing but gelatin sheet that dissolves in water. This is ideal for terry fabric. If you want to get best results you have to use embroidery thread as the bobbin thread.
Cut-away embroidery stabilizer, poly mesh cut away, fusible cut away are some of the types of permanent stabilizers. They stay along with the garment until its life time. They could be washed along with the garments. Some of them come with semi-transparent poly mesh that would not show through light colored garments. The extra puffy embroidery stabilizer is also available to impart unique look to the finished work. You have to make use of the embroidery stabilizer according to the type of fabric, density of stitches, design and weight of the fabric.
