Vilene is a strong water-soluble stabilizer. Vilene keeps your stitches from sinking into high pile fabrics and is excellent for providing a stable surface for the embroidering of lace. You can hoop it either in front, or behind the fabric to provide support while embroidering. Or you can hoop the backing only, and embroider directly onto it to create your own lace. Then just wash it away in water. Vilene is a soft stabilizer that feels like Chux wash-cloth when dry. It is very strong and stable, requiring just one layer. Vilene is one of the original dissolvable backings and is European made by Freudenberg.