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Guide To The Three Main Machine Embroidery Stabilizers

By Lizzsews

Here is everything that you need to know about machine embroidery stabilizers!


Stabilizers are important in machine embroidery because they prevent puckering and support the fabric. The stabilizer goes underneath the fabric you are embroidering. 

 Some stabilizers are used as a topping, for example, wash away stabilizer.

 There are three main types of stabilizer, cutaway, tearaway, and wash away. 

 We will cover all of them in this article!

First is a cutaway stabilizer.

A cutaway stabilizer can be used on clothes and many different types of fabric.

 The cutaway stabilizer is permanent and is mainly designed for knit fabric. It is non-woven and helps get rid of pulled or sagging stitches. 

 The cutaway stabilizer has a lot of stretch resistance and stays intact after wearing, using, and laundering.

 Some people use cutaway on the back of towels too. I use cutaway the most, and you can purchase it pre-cut, or in rolls. 
Whimsical sun embroidery design from lizzsews facebook group stitched out
This design was stitched out on fleece, using a cutaway stabilizer. Design can be found in my Facebook group for free here.

Second is a tearaway stabilizer.

Tearaway stabilizer is just what it sounds like. After embroidering, you can simply just tear it away!

 It's a lightweight stabilizer and is kind of like paper. Tearaway is mainly used on woven fabrics.

 It’s very convenient if you have a lightweight design (not dense) because you can tear it away and you don’t have to have a stabilizer showing on the back. 

 Many people will double up on (use two layers of) tearaway stabilizer.

Third, the last main stabilizer is a wash-away stabilizer. 

Wash away, or water-soluble stabilizer is designed to dissolve when it gets wet. It can be used for both backing and topping.

 This stabilizer is mainly used on towels or material that the design might sink into. Wash away is mainly used to prevent the embroidery design from sinking into the fabric.

 Read how to hoop and embroider towels here. And hooping without all of the struggles here.


Wash away can be found in a few different styles:
  • It can be a wash away, clear plastic-like film
  • It can be paper-like tear away wash away
  • And it can also be a wash away fabric like mesh
Remember that some wash away stabilizers require a certain temperature for the water!

 Now that you know everything about the three main stabilizers, read this article to figure out what to do for your next project!

Be sure to like and leave a comment and let me know what you think! And don't forget to subscribe to get notified for our next blog post!

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