All About Machine Embroidery: Day 9 – Stabilizers

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Welcome to Day 9 of my October series: All About Machine Embroidery

If you are visiting for the first time, here’s a quick recap. Since October 1st, I’ve been exclusively blogging on one particular subject, machine embroidery.

Catch up with my previous posts here.

Today’s topic is Stabilizers.

Machine Embroidery: If you are thinking about getting a sewing machine that includes Machine Embroidery then you will want to read All About Machine Embroidery. I have 31 posts that cover every possible thing you could want to know.Maybe you’ve seen stabilizers at the fabric store or possibly used them on an applique.

Machine Embroidery: If you are thinking about getting a sewing machine that includes Machine Embroidery then you will want to read All About Machine Embroidery. I have 31 posts that cover every possible thing you could want to know.
 (Image Source)

This unholy mess is my box of stabilizers.

Machine Embroidery: If you are thinking about getting a sewing machine that includes Machine Embroidery then you will want to read All About Machine Embroidery. I have 31 posts that cover every possible thing you could want to know. Q. Just what are stabilizers?

A. Stabilizers are a {hooped} support under the fabric that you are embroidering. It is placed into the hoop before the fabric.

Q. Why are there so many stabilizers?

A. It is true, there are a lot of different stabilizers; however, there are four basic stabilizers that you need to know about:  Tear-Away, Cut-Away, Wash-Away, and Iron-away.

Q. Can I embroidery without a stabilizer?

A. Never! You will ruin your project and possibly jam your machine.

Today, I am only going to discuss one type of stabilizer, Tear-Away.

Machine Embroidery: If you are thinking about getting a sewing machine that includes Machine Embroidery then you will want to read All About Machine Embroidery. I have 31 posts that cover every possible thing you could want to know.Tear-Away stabilizer is just that; you (gently and carefully) tear it away from the back of the design you’ve just embroidered.

Tear-Away is generally an all-purpose stabilizer and works best with woven fabrics.

So, here’s how it works. Separate the outer hoop and the inner hoop.

Machine Embroidery: If you are thinking about getting a sewing machine that includes Machine Embroidery then you will want to read All About Machine Embroidery. I have 31 posts that cover every possible thing you could want to know.Cut a piece of stabilizer slightly larger than the outer hoop.

Machine Embroidery: If you are thinking about getting a sewing machine that includes Machine Embroidery then you will want to read All About Machine Embroidery. I have 31 posts that cover every possible thing you could want to know.Place fabric to be embroidered on top of stabilizer.

Machine Embroidery: If you are thinking about getting a sewing machine that includes Machine Embroidery then you will want to read All About Machine Embroidery. I have 31 posts that cover every possible thing you could want to know.Place inner hoop on top and tighten the screw to make everything very tight.

Machine Embroidery: If you are thinking about getting a sewing machine that includes Machine Embroidery then you will want to read All About Machine Embroidery. I have 31 posts that cover every possible thing you could want to know.Place the hoop in the machine and embroider your design.

Machine Embroidery: If you are thinking about getting a sewing machine that includes Machine Embroidery then you will want to read All About Machine Embroidery. I have 31 posts that cover every possible thing you could want to know.Take the design out of the hoop and carefully, remove the Tear-Away stabilizer.

Machine Embroidery: If you are thinking about getting a sewing machine that includes Machine Embroidery then you will want to read All About Machine Embroidery. I have 31 posts that cover every possible thing you could want to know.Didn’t this turn out nicely.

Machine Embroidery: If you are thinking about getting a sewing machine that includes Machine Embroidery then you will want to read All About Machine Embroidery. I have 31 posts that cover every possible thing you could want to know.Some things to remember about Tear-Aways.

1. They work best on woven fabrics.

2. They remove easily.

3. There are Tear-Aways that have an adhesive surface. If you want to embroider something with a lot of loft, like terry cloth or fleece, you will need to use a Sticky-back Tear-away. (There are more details to this which I will share with Wash-Away stabilizers.)

That should cover the Tear-Away basics; tomorrow I will talk about Cut-Away stabilizers.

Thinking about purchasing an Embroidery Machine? Check out my Embroidery Machine Reviews.

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