I don't do embroidery, so haven't tried this with embroidery designs, but for machine applique (both invisible and satin stitch) I just heavily starch by backing fabric so it doesn't require stabilizer. I use a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water. The backing fabric comes out with about the stiffness of cardstock. I never had any problems with tunneling or distortion when doing satin stitch applique. I think this would work for intricate embroidery as well. Of course, you have to be willing to wash or rinse the piece to get the starch out afterwards.