Otherwise, the stiffness it provides once dried might be permanent. You do need to wash all the paper-type of wash-away stabilizer out of the project the first time around. Then, run the embroidered item through the washer, soak it in water, or even run it under the tap until the stabilizer is dissolved. If you’ve used wash-away stabilizer as your embroidery backing, the best removal method is to trim the stabilizer close to the back of the design using your favorite embroidery scissors. In this case, you’ll have to switch to a cut-away or no-show mesh stabilizer for added stability. Basically, use it any time you need no residual stabilizer and aren’t dependent on the stability of a cut-away stabilizer.įor very dense designs or very stretchy fabric, though, water-soluble stabilizer just might not be an option. Wash-away stabilizer is a great substitute for tear-away stabilizer, providing a little extra stability and keeping you from having to later pick out tiny pieces from the back of intricate embroidery designs. Other use examples include hand embroidery, cutwork designs, in-the-hoop embroidery projects, and even embroidering tulle or other sheer fabrics. This is the case when embroidering free-standing lace or making certain patches. (There are also sticky wash-away stabilizers, which are so cool!)Īnd, in some cases, you can hoop just wash-away stabilizer and then embroider on top of it. Or, the fabric can be floated on top of just hooped wash-away. Wash-away stabilizer can be hooped behind the fabric that will be machine embroidered. (Read more in embroidery stabilizer guide.) To use this as a stabilizer, first, select the stabilizer weight and also the number of layers needed based on the characteristics of your fabric and the density of your embroidery design. Wash-away backing types include the fibrous fabric type and heavy film-like water-soluble stabilizer (ex: Sulky Ultra Solvy). Or, you can gently wet the sides of the stabilizer (OUT of the embroidery area) and stick it that way. When floating, use a light layer of temporary spray adhesive, pin, or even tape it to secure it well. You can hoop it with your fabric or you can float it on top. There are two main methods for using water-soluble topping. Even when embroidering t-shirts that are soft and squishy, I have better results when using water-soluble topping.Īs an alternative, if your project cannot be exposed to water but you still need a topper, consider heat-away film, which later brushes off when ironed. This topping supports stitches and keeps them from sinking into the fabric. If your fabric has any sort of fluff, pile, nap, or even squishiness you’ll benefit from using a layer of water-soluble topping. Sulky Solvy) is perfect as an embroidery topper. Lightweight film-like water-soluble stabilizer (ex. Using Water-Soluble Stabilizer as a Topping Each has slightly different properties and can play a different part in creating the perfect project. There are two main types of water-soluble stabilizers: film-like and fibrous paper-like.

Made from water-soluble fibers, water-soluble stabilizer is designed to dissolve in water after it’s served its purpose as either a topping or stabilizer backing for your embroidery project. What is water-soluble stabilizer & what is it used for?

Reusing Water-Soluble Stabilizer as Liquid Stabilizer.

Using Wash-Away Stabilizer as a Backing.

Using Water-Soluble Stabilizer as a Topping.

What is water-soluble stabilizer & what is it used for?.

Mybrushes stabilizer