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Stabilizers, Backings, and Toppings – Page 1 |
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Type |
Description |
Fabric
Type |
Special
Considerations |
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Adhesive
Tearaway |
A
tearaway backing with an adhesive coating, which is protected by a
peel-off paper. |
Cottons
or other woven non-stretch fabrics. |
Can
gum up needle. Can cause lint to be sticky, and adhere to inside of
bobbin case area. |
|
Cutaway |
A
backing which does not degrade when washed many times, and which much be
trimmed away from the edges of the embroidery on the back side of the
embroidered item. |
Knit,
fleece, or other stretchy fabrics. |
Need
to adhere to fabric before hooping. Should be hooped taut, but not
stretched. |
|
Heat
Away |
A
backing that disintegrates into ashes when heated with an iron.
Brush away the excess. It
looks similar to off-white window screen.
|
Velvet,
corduroy, and other fabrics that should not be wetted. Cutwork.
Freestanding lace. Delicate fabrics. |
Looks
like muslin. Heat with dry iron and brush off the ashes after it
disintegrates. |
|
H2O
Cutaway such as |
A
cutaway that is coated with a dry starch-based adhesive, which is
activated with water. |
Knit,
fleece, or other stretchy fabrics. |
Does
not gum up needle. Use when barely damp. The wetter it is, the
stronger it holds the fabric. Can be rewetted from the back to
release fabric. Can be patched and reused. |
|
H2O
Tearaway such as |
A
tearaway that is coated with a dry starch-based adhesive, which is
activated with water. |
Cottons
or other woven non-stretch fabrics. |
Does
not gum up needle. Use when barely damp. The wetter it is, the
stronger it holds the fabric. Can be rewetted from the back to
release fabric. Can be patched and reused. |
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No
Show Nylon Mesh or |
A
sheer nylon cutaway stabilizer. It’s
very light weight and has a cross-hatch pattern embossed in the surface.
|
Knits,
fleece, or other stretchy fabrics. 3D designs.
Use as a protective covering on the back over metallic stitches or
on baby items.
|
Need
to adhere with adhesive spray before hooping fabric. Hoop taut but
not stretched. |
|
No
Show Nylon Mesh Fusible or |
A
sheer nylon cutaway stabilizer that can be fused onto fabric with a
low-temp iron. It’s very
light weight and has a cross-hatch pattern embossed in the surface.
|
Knits,
fleece, or other stretchy fabrics. Use as a protective covering on
the back over metallic stitches or on baby items. |
Hoop
taut but not stretched. |
|
Tearaway |
A
paper-like backing which can degrade over time when washed.
After stitching, tear the excess away from the back of the
embroidered item. |
Cotton
or other woven, non-stretch fabrics |
Degrades
over several washings, and does not continue to stabilize. Great for
woven fabrics, but designs can cave in if used on stretchy knits. |
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Chart
prepared by Diamond Threadworks. |
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Stabilizers,
Backings, and Toppings – Page 2 |
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Type |
Description |
Fabric
Type |
Special
Considerations |
|
Tulle
and Bridal Netting |
Polyester
netting which is available in a wide range of colors, and can be used to
hold down the pile of plush fabrics.
Use a color close to the fabric, and it usually blends in and
isn’t seen. |
Towels,
polar fleece, fake fur, and other fabrics with pile. |
Use
as a topping to hold down loops. Tear away or trim away after
embroidering. Will not wash away, but will continue to hold loops
from working their way back up through the stitches. |
|
Water
Soluble backing such as Aqua
Magic Vilene
or Washaway |
A
water-soluble backing that dissolves on contact with water.
It looks like the sheer nylon mesh with its crosshatch pattern.
Vilene is fairly stable against stretch. |
As
a backing for free standing lace, very lightweight of flimsy fabrics where
another backing would show, such as a scarf. As a topping for towels, polar fleece, fake fur, and other
fabrics with pile |
Rinse,
but do not wring out lace designs. Pat dry between towels, then
allow lace to air dry. Use as a topping to hold down loops.
Adhere with adhesive spray or basting stitches.
Will wash away, and loops can work their way back up through the
embroidery design if it does not have a good underlayer of stitches. |
|
Water
Soluble backing such as |
A
gel-type of backing which dissolves on contact with water.
It is clear or milky-white, stretches easily, and tears easily.
|
Free
standing lace, very light-weight of flimsy fabrics where another backing
would show, such as a scarf. |
Rinse,
but do not wring out lace designs. Pat dry between towels, then
allow lace to air dry. Often need to use several sheets together for
added stability. Sheets can be ironed together on low heat (between
sheets of paper) if no steam is used. |
|
Water
Soluble topping such as Dissolve or Solvy |
A
gel-type of topping which dissolves on contact with water.
It is clear or milky-white, stretches easily, and tears easily.
|
Towels,
polar fleece, fake fur, and other fabrics with pile. |
Use
as a topping to hold down loops. Adhere with adhesive spray or
basting stitches. Will wash
away, and loops can work their way back up through the embroidery design
if it does not have a good underlayer of stitches. |
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Chart prepared by Diamond Threadworks. |
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Click here for printable Word document
Click here for printable PDF document
Click here for info about non-woven stabilizers from HTC Products (Fred Lebow).
