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Stabilizers (backing)
Backing and topping serve to stabilize and support
the product being embroidered so the stitches can
be sewn with the least amount of interference or
instability. They serve as stabilizers for your
embroidery work. Without the proper type of
stabilizer, the fabric may move too much within the
embroidery frame causing poor alignment of the
embroidery. At times, topping will be required in
order to manage fabrics with a pile-like su rface,
such as towels, corduroy and pique knit. There are
many types of backing and toppings with various
weights for the various fabrics that you may be
sewing.
There are four types of stabilizers (backing) that can
be used in embroidery: cut-away, tear- away, water
soluble and self-adhesive. In these four types,
various weights, sizes and textures are available.
When selecting the stabilizer type for a particular
fabric, consider the design size in addition to the
stitch count and stitch type used in the design.
Finally, make sure that the stabilizer is not
stretched. Some backings may not stretch vertically
or horizontally but may stretch diagonally. DO
NOT USE THESE TYPES. This type of backing will
stretch during sewing and may cause the design to
shift.
1. Polyester mesh cut-away stabilizer works
extremely well with light-colored fabrics since
it prevents a shadow from showing through on
the front after you have trimmed away the
excess. This type of backing is ideal whenever
you need stability with a light and soft touch in
your finished product, for example, with baby
garments.
2. Cut-away stabilizer is excellent for medium- to
heavyweight knits, however it can also be used
on woven material. It will hold a large number
of stitches and with two or three layers can hold
a tremendous amount of stitches. This type of
backing is also available in black for those who
want the inside of their garments to look as
good as the outside. Black stabilizer is very
useful on similarly colored garments of
lightweight fabrics. The black backing is less
likely to show through as compared to white
backing.
3. Self-adhesive (peel-and-stick) backing is used
on those difficult-to-hoop fabrics. This backing
is applied (with sticky side up) to the underside
of the frame, enabling your fabric to “stick on”
the exposed surface in the embroidery area.
When the embroidery is finished, the fabric can
be removed, the excess backing can be
disposed of and the process repeated.
4. Tear-away stabilizer can be used on
mediumweight woven fabrics and sturdy fabrics
such as canvas, poplin and denim. This
stabilizer will hold many stitches especially
when used in two or more layers. This type of
stabilizer is made of a non-woven material that
enables it to easily be torn away from the edges
of your embroidery design when it is
completed. This stabilizer is also available in
black.
5. Water-soluble stabilizer is useful when you
need to keep the nap or pile, for example, on
towels, from interfering with the placement of
stitches. Fabrics such as terry cloth, corduroy,
velvet and faux fur are examples of materials
that have a nap or pile that can actually
penetrate embroidery stitches as your machine
sews. The result is an unfinished and often
sloppy appearance when fibers of the fabric
poke out between the finished stitches of an
embroidery design. In these situations, water-
soluble stabilizer is used as a topping to hold
the fibers of the fabric flat so the stitches can be
placed on top neatly and accurately. Water-
soluble stabilizer is also used as a backing
when stitching lace or other motifs where the
desired result is only the stitching. This is
accomplished with water-soluble stabilizer,
which can easily be pulled off of the fabric after
embroidering is completed and any remnants
can easily be dissolved with water. Water-
soluble stabilizer is also used as a backing on
towels, where you often need some
stabilization, but any remnants of a formal
backing must not be visible in the finished
product.