Thread: Embroidery Stabilizer

I am machine embroidering on white muslin, I would say a average stitch density. What stabilizer would be the best?

Lisa

I would use polymesh cutaway. I am stitching fish on muslin right now and I'm using the cutaway, works perfect.

Hint, I found that if I use a spray adhesive on my stabilizer, it tends to pucker, so I don't use it anymore.

I would use a fusible tear away. When designs are somewhat dense I fuse one tear away, then float another one (criss-crossed) on the machine bed. That should provide enough stability for most designs.

On thinner fabrics I like to starch the dickens out of the fabric and then use atleast 2 layers of tear away stabilizer.

:roll: Oh, if Mr Floriani could hear this.....First of all you would get a 20 minute lecture on the ins and outs of stabilizing. He is a real nice guy, but................ :roll:
Personally, I would use a heavy weight solvy(water soluble). I just saw something on Fons and Porter last week. She cut up the torn off pieces of stabilizer and put into a med. size bowl of water to disolve. Store in refridgerator. Paint on to fabric, let dry, and no need for stabilizer :D

Originally Posted by QuiltyLisa

I am machine embroidering on white muslin, I would say a average stitch density. What stabilizer would be the best?

Lisa - Your choice should depend on the what the final product will be used for. Is this for quilt squares and one thickness of fabric? If so I might be tempted to use tearaway (fusible or not) only because cutaway might be noticeable from the front since muslin can be on the "thin" side.

Tink's Mom 's suggestion is great as well for this purpose. However it would require a washing after the embroidery is done.

PolyMesh is great but can be pricey.

Threads Magazine has a good recap on stabilizers:
http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/...of-stabilizers

Hope this helps -

Originally Posted by Tink's Mom

:roll: Oh, if Mr Floriani could hear this.....

Hey, are you a friend of Walter's? :)
I know him through my company, and actually my best friend has been friends with Walter since...well, since childhood. He gives a great seminar doesn't he?

Mr. Floriani aside :lol:

I'd start with the muslin itself. If it is loosely woven, stretchy at all, very thin then I would use a fusible cutaway and plan on leaving it behind the entire piece to help stabilize the muslin. I admit, I keep a roll of Floriani Fusible No-Show mesh on hand :D

If the muslin is good quality (tightly woven, the same weight as the cotton fabrics and stable) then I'd start looking at the end use. If it is going in a project that will be washed often and much loved, I'd use a cutaway to help keep those stitches stabilized over the long haul. Otherwise, I think a tearaway would be just fine.

Just what I would do :wink:

Originally Posted by AtHomeSewing

Originally Posted by Tink's Mom

:roll: Oh, if Mr Floriani could hear this.....

Hey, are you a friend of Walter's?

I have worked at seminars, and at Quilt Shows, with him and his wife. Not friends, just impressed by all...........

Walter's seminars are incredible, and I recommend them to anyone who can go. And by the way, Walter actually knows embroidery, one of the best in the country. Sherry and Walter got divorced, Walter is already remarried to a young woman and is the dad to a new baby.

The folks that distribute his product have a website that tells which types of stabilizer go with what application. RNK Distributors.

http://rnkdistributing.com/solutions.shtml