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From: Gonetothedogs
Date: 03-16-2006, 09:28 PM (1 of 5)
This may be a stupid question, but are interfacing and stabilizer the same thing? If not, what's the difference?

Thanks

:nc:
User: Gonetothedogs
Member since: 07-26-2005
Total posts: 8
From: AndreaSews
Date: 03-16-2006, 09:37 PM (2 of 5)
not stupid. interfacing is a kind of stabilizer, technically used in between two layers of fabric. On the bolt or in packages are products labeled as interfacing, sew-in or fusable, knit, woven, or non-woven, very lightweight to heavy craft weight. You could interface with other things as well. Some go for silk organza, buckram for home dec, scraps of other stuff, depending onthe purpose. And then for embroidery there are rolls or packages of wash-away and other kinds of stabilizers used on the wrong side of a farbic to keep the threads/needle from tearing up the fabric.
Andrea
User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005
Total posts: 1007
From: Chrysantha
Date: 03-16-2006, 10:15 PM (3 of 5)
Or interfacing could just be the fabric itself....with or without something extra added.

Stabilizer for embroidery is usually HEAVY, due to the denseness of the thread. :bg:
Chrys
User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002
Total posts: 2414
From: Gonetothedogs
Date: 03-16-2006, 11:05 PM (4 of 5)
Thanks for the explanation.

Gonetothedogs
User: Gonetothedogs
Member since: 07-26-2005
Total posts: 8
From: paroper
Date: 03-17-2006, 03:45 AM (5 of 5)
Actually, there is quite a difference. The stabilizer will NOT give. It is built to take a lot of pressure from all directions and not stretch or move. It can actually be quite light in weight, even soft like Polymesh. You don't see distinctive fibers in the stabilizer like you can in most interfacing. It can be stiff like some tear aways, which are a bit like paper, or in some cases fly paper.

On the other hand, the interfacing is meant to give stability and strength to fabrics. They not only add life to the garment or home dec product, they reinforce and give a finished look. Most interfacings breathe and move with the garment and you can usually see the fibers in the interfacing, even non-woven. I've tried using interfacing for stabilizer and I have found that even the non-woven interfacing tends to shread or tear. It also has some built in stretch and give. When you remove your product from the hoop, whether the product itself is hooped or not, you don't want the stabilizer to shift or be out of square. The interfacing can do that, the stabilizer won't. That is the beauty of being able to hoop the stabilzer only. You can't stretch a good stabilzer tight without fear of chaning the shape, but the fabric, even cotton can be stretched or misshappened during hooping.
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
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