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Old 06-09-2015, 10:22 AM
  #5  
Prism99
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
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I don't use stabilizers for machine applique. Instead, I heavily starch the background fabric (1:1 solution of Sta-Flo and water). This stabilizes the background fabric sufficiently so I don't need any other stabilizer. I have used this successfully with all types of stitches, including satin stitch. No tunneling or distortion.

I use a fast way to starch. After mixing up the Sta-Flo and water, I "paint" the solution onto yardage using a large wall painting brush until the fabric is saturated. I wait a couple of minutes to make sure the starch has had time to penetrate the fibers, then toss in my dryer. Ironing with steam re-activates the starch so I have a very stable fabric to work with.

Starch washes out completely, so there is no paper to fiddle with.
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