Embroidery stabilizer question
 

I sure this has been asked before so sorry for asking again. I have an embroidery machine but have only done a little with it. Everything I have made so far has been for decorations so I wasn't too worried about getting the stabilizer just right. I pretty much just went with really heavy stuff since it didn't matter if it was too stiff. My sister though, has asked me to embroider something on a onesie or a shirt for her son for christmas (1 1/2 years old.) I don't know what stabilizer to use and am worried about it coming out too stiff feeling or rough on his skin. Does anyone know what type stabilizer I should use? Do you have a favorite brand? Thanks so much.

For something on knit, I would use one of the iron ons especially made for knits. I'm thinking they are made of nylon, but wouldn't swear to that. If you don't want to do that, I would baste a tear away to the inside of the onesie, making sure it was big enough to fit the entire hoop. Hoop the whole area, and embroider it that way.

http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/...of-stabilizers - great info on different stabilizers and their uses. Hope this helps.

http://www.nancysnotions.com/categor...by=newArrivals

Demo from Nancysnotions.com on embroidering on a Tshirt. She demos the stabilizer.

I've done a lot of onesies. I use a cutaway stabilizer on the back and I always use a piece of water soluable stabilizer on the top. This keeps the stitches "on top" of the fabric, vs. them sinking down into it. I use Sulky's Tender Touch on the inside of the project when I am done. This covers the stitching and is soft against a baby's skin.

Here is a tutorial from Embroidery Library. It's a blow-by-blow on how to embroider on a onesie. They have tutorials for practically every fabric/project you can think of.

http://www.emblibrary.com/EL/elproje...log=Elprojects

I like to use Pellon Shirt Tailor 950F it is heavy enough but still soft enough. Good luck.

I use a lightweight iron on and do not hoop the onesie. Just to provide a base for stitching, I will use a Sticky Stabilizer which I hoop and then "stick the area to be sewn on top of the hoop. I use a water soluuable on top which keeps the stitches on top of the knit. After stitching, I use something like "Cover All" a thin soft stabilizer which irons on over the back stitching to keep the design from irritating baby's skin. Also, use a Ball Poiint Needle rather than a sharp. The ballpoint goes between the fibers and doesn't piece it like a Sharp.

Using just straight stabilizer such as tearaway or cutaway will not hold the woven knit in place and although it might look good prior to washing, will usually pucker after washing.

I also do all my t-shirts in this same method although I might not use the Cover All on the back depending on the age of the child.

Embroidery Library is my "go to" site when I have questions regarding stabilizers/thread/fabrics. I printed out the recommendations list and put it in a binder for easy reference.

Thank you so much everyone for all your help. I looked at all the sites recommended and got some great advice there too. I think I too will use a sticky stabilizer because I do not have a small hoop and don't think I could hoop a onesie with mine.

Thanks again!

First of all; for tshirts go with the no show mesh, its great. Go to either emblibrary.com look under projects and Kenny's corner to get tutorials for the onesies and the tshirts and advice on stabilizers. Also check out the Floriani website. They have a stabilizer workbook that you can download. I get my no show mesh from them. They have great tutorials as well. Sometimes you can also use a stabilzer on the top as well. Make sure it's not too dense of a design and it'll turn out really nice. Hatched in Africa designs are great for kids clothes since they aren't too dense and stitch out great. Here is floriani's web site
http://www.rnkdistributing.com/cid-3...-Products.html

you need a soft stabilizer on the bottom and the wash away on top. The wash away looks sort of like saran wrap