Stabilizer

Stabilizer is the base of all embroidery items.  I felt like I was hearing Forrest Gump discuss how many ways to make shrimp when I was reading about stabilizer.  In layman's terms, stabilizer is the backing of your embroidery and is what holds up the stitches.  There is quite a variety to decide on.  As a beginner, I didn't know what I needed so when someone mentioned it, I ran to Amazon and bought it.  Some I like, some I don't.  World Weidner is the brand I prefer.

Types of stabilizer:

Tear away - It is exactly what is says.  It is torn away after the project is completed.  It feels like a really thick paper.  Walmart carries one that looks like shelving liner.  It is called EZ stitch tear away.  I kind of like that brand for the back of shirts because it is more "cushy" feeling than some others but it isn't as stiff to hold the project.  Tear away is primarily used with thicker items that you don't want to see left behind on the back side like blankets, towels, fleece and sweatshirts. The thicker material can hold up the stitches.  I have seen people use it for totes and purses too.  I have played around with it because I bought 10 yards.  I don't do many blankets and can only make so many towels.  If you buy tear away, get it at a local shop and don't buy more than a yard or two.  That being said, I have used it when the material is so thin that 2 layers of stabilizer may help the stitches.  I will use tear away and cut away, leaving only the cut away behind.  I probably wouldn't do this if I didn't have 10 yards of tear away collecting dust.

Cut away -  Cut away is mainly used on thinner fabric, like knit.  The first cut away stabilizer I bought, I hated.  It was very stiff.  It made the item look like it had a big ole patch behind the stitching.  That isn't attractive.  For clothing, I learned of "no show" stabilizer.  It is polymesh material.  It is soft and doesn't show through material but you still cut it away on the back side of the fabric.  When you buy cut away, be sure to buy polymesh.  You will become embroidery friends for life.  It will be your most used stabilizer if you are doing shirts.

Fusible - This is an iron on, cut away, polymesh stabilizer.  It is used on the back of stretchy knits so the material doesn't pull in the hoop.  Iron it on the back of the fabric, hoop or float your item and stitch.  You can use an iron to release it from the fabric but don't expect it to be a permanent stabilizer.  It will come loose, it will also shrink a tad in the wash causing design to pucker and distort.   It isn't one of my preferences but I bought it because someone else did.  Refer to the polymesh cut away above.

Sticky -  Now this is an interesting stabilizer.  I have a love/hate relationship with it.  Sticky is great for hard to pin items such as big tote bags or shirts that are being floated.  I love how I can press a shirt on it and it won't budge or shift.  No pinning is required.  To use, just put the sticky in the hoop with the paper side up.  Use scissors to "score" the paper and peel back the paper to reveal the sticky stuff.  My problem with this is,  I love how sticky it is and I hate how sticky it is.  My machine will act up with it.  I have shredded and broken thread every time I use sticky stabilizer on shirts.  It gums up the needle and the thread can't flow as easily through the hole.  I did buy a different type of needle to try and will post on that later.  I am still up in the air on this stuff.  I discovered that double sided tape works just as well but my needle never touches the tape.

Water Soluble (WSS) - WSS is used on the front of the project to hold the stitches up. You can tear it off or cut it away from the stitching when the project is complete.  You can also put a warm cloth on the stitching and it will dissolve kind of like glue.  It was fascinating to play with.   Some people don't use it.  Most do.  It is a personal choice BUT be sure to compare before you decide.  I did and found the stitches look much fuller and much prettier when I use WSS.  If you order WSS, don't fret if what you receive looks like a type of saran wrap.  It is kind of "plastic-ky" to touch.  It is very thin so I didn't see any way that it could be effective but it is.

How much to use will depend on the item being stitched.  What type to use, will depend on the item being stitched.  Nothing in embroidery appears to be simple!!