I iron a light weight stabilizer to the quilt block and use medium cut away in the hoop. I have tried it both ways and like the finished look better when I leave the cut away the same size as the block. All those stitches from the embroidery design need a good foundation or over time they will start to pucker on the quilt.
Originally Posted by
hray
I'm planning a quilt containing 16 machine embroidered blocks, 6x8" each finished size, that I'm embroidering with lightweight cutaway stabilizer.
Is it better to trim the stabilizer to near the design (which extends almost to the edges of the blocks) or just leave the whole block backed and incorporate it into the quilt? My first impulse was to trim, but was concerned that would be "icky" from the top and it would better to have the whole block backed.
Your input and experience appreciated!!
Hallie