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The Sew What’s New Archive
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From: MAD14kt
Date: 12-24-2005, 10:02 PM (1 of 12)
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Hello, Can anyone please tell me which embroidery stabilizer is good to use? I don't have a clue, I'm new to this.  Thanks, Monica "What is to give light must endure the burning"
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User: MAD14kt
Member since: 12-21-2005 Total posts: 31 
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From: Laura22
Date: 12-24-2005, 10:10 PM (2 of 12)
Essentially, your stabilizer will depend on your project. I, for instance, use cut away for tee shirts and many knits and Tear away for wovens like towels. However, if you ask 10 people what they prefer you will get 10 different answers  I would suggest you go to www.allstitch.net. Then you can request a sample from them on their site. Just click on the words "sample request" at the top and towards the right hand side. They will send you a sample of each of the stabilizers they sell. That way you can experiment with them a bit before deciding which one suits you best 
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User: Laura22
Member since: 11-18-2005 Total posts: 6 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 12-25-2005, 12:22 AM (3 of 12)
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It depends on what you're doing, how dense the pattern, what you're embroiderying on. Theres OESD, Vilene, BadgeMaster, Madeira, Sulky, Floriani. Sticky for knits, with floats of ,med or heaving weight cutaway. For cottons, med cutaway. I like to float Aqua Mesh, plain mesh, Badgemaster. The more dense the design, the more stabilizer you'll need. Book; Twiggs Embroidery Essentials is a good one to help you , she also has a new one out. Try Amazon or your local book store. Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: MAD14kt
Date: 12-26-2005, 09:50 AM (4 of 12)
Thanks ladies, you have made my day.   I will follow the advise that was given. Enjoy your hoildays.
"What is to give light must endure the burning"
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User: MAD14kt
Member since: 12-21-2005 Total posts: 31
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From: mamadus
Date: 12-26-2005, 06:36 PM (5 of 12)
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the general rule of thumb is use a cutaway for knits and a tear away for woven.... generally, the more "dense" your embroidery design, the heavier the weight of stabilizer you will need... water soluble stabilizers are for making free standing lace or for topping on fabrics where your stitches would sink (knits, terry, sweatshirts) If you're just starting out... hit Walmart for some cutaway and some tearaway ( its found near the interfacings) and do some practice stitching on different types of fabric... try some tests on muslin... take an old sweatshirt or polo shirt and cover it with sample designs... some that are more dense, some that are less dense... do some testing on an old towel... got an old pair of jeans or an old shirt... use it for testing... different combinations of fabrics and design densities require different types and weights of stabilizer... play with different combinations until you get the results you want and take note of what worked best.... most of all have fun.... MO life is too short, not to explore
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User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004 Total posts: 492 
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From: MAD14kt
Date: 12-26-2005, 07:11 PM (6 of 12)
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Thanks MO, I will explore and have fun doing it.
"What is to give light must endure the burning"
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User: MAD14kt
Member since: 12-21-2005 Total posts: 31
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From: paroper
Date: 12-27-2005, 08:40 AM (7 of 12)
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I use two layers of Polymesh cut away stabilizer for knits, light weight blouses, and most things that will be next to my skin. It is very soft against the skin and light enough that it won't show through. When you use two layers of anything, trim each layer independantly so you won't have a widge if you iron it. Polymesh is made by OESD but I have seen some other brands that are the same "stuff". I also like Aquamesh for a lighter weight wasy away. I use a lot of Badgemaster as a heavy weight clear plastic wash away and as everyone else, I use a light weight solvy as a topper. I have a good stash of tear aways from medium to extra heavy weight stabilizers in cut away and tear away. I use the tear away stabilizers the least amount. There are a lot of stabilizers out there that are preglued. They activate with a light mist of water or with heat. These are placed against the garment for further stabilization. They are often used in hoopless embroidery. I really like the 505 spray sprayed on the stabilizer (when needed). It doesn't gum up your needle as much as some. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: MAD14kt
Date: 12-27-2005, 10:21 AM (8 of 12)
Thanks Paroper, it seems like I am becoming so confused my all the names but I will get it all figured out in time.  I thank God for all the help that I have been receiving from you guys.
"What is to give light must endure the burning"
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User: MAD14kt
Member since: 12-21-2005 Total posts: 31
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From: paroper
Date: 12-27-2005, 11:14 AM (9 of 12)
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The names are pretty brand specific. Just like anything, there is a sometimes a quality difference between brands. As you become more familiar, the brand names won't bother you so much. There is an Italian (sounding) brand starts with an "f" end in "i"...not sure of the spelling that a lot of people use and like. You'll get the idea. Whatever you do, use stabilizer, not interfacing (that can be a mess). Also, there are a lot of ideas using a lot of innovative household products. For the sake of your machine, stay with something made for sewing. You can use tuille in place of solvy on tops of towels and similar items...a lot of people think it is the best. You invested a lot in your machine, designs, (maybe) software, (maybe) transfer boxes, and threads. The item that you are embellishing can be expensive. Don't short your quality by trying to use a product that wasn't made for what you are doing. Have a great time!!!
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: mamadus
Date: 12-28-2005, 12:37 AM (10 of 12)
the italian sounding brand of stabilizers is Floriani... they also have their own line of threads... the Floriani family has long been known for digitizing... particularly laces.... they do nice work... like you Pam, I like 505 spray adhesive when doing hoopless... and polymesh is a very versatile stabilizer... it has become one of my new favorites.... but for a beginner.... start out with the stabilizers you find at Walmart and get your feet wet... As Pam mentioned.... you can use more than one layer of stabilizer... the more dense the design, the more likely you will need either a heavier stabilizer or an additional layer... warning.... this is a very addictive hobby... before you know it you'll have a stash of stabilizers, spray adhesives, varying size needles, and threads.... we won't even talk about threads....  Have fun!!! and keep us posted on your progress...MO life is too short, not to explore
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User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004 Total posts: 492
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From: MAD14kt
Date: 12-28-2005, 04:45 PM (11 of 12)
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Thanks Paroper and MO. I will have a great time expermenting. With all you guys to help me, I have no worries.
"What is to give light must endure the burning"
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User: MAD14kt
Member since: 12-21-2005 Total posts: 31
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From: MariLynntex
Date: 01-13-2006, 01:08 PM (12 of 12)
| Since I do mostly freemotion embroidery, my own designs, I nearly always hoop the fabric because I like the very stable feel of hooped fabric. I use a lot of water-soluble stabilizer like Solvy, sometimes several layers, or on both top and bottom. I do sometimes use a tear-away on the underside of knits, one of the very lightweight ones. MariLynntex |
User: MariLynntex
Member since: 01-05-2006 Total posts: 107 |
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