I never would have thought of using paper towels as a stabilizer. I have just bought a brother embroidery machine but haven't had time to use it yet.:thumbdown: to busy cleaning up all the dust and soot that came into my craft room when they cleared the house away. I had planned on making a start today but after seeing all the mess I decided it would be better to get cleaned up first so it wouldn't get into my new machines. I have told DH to tell me next time he is going to make dust so I can cover everything in sheets.