How to choose right stabilizer for embroidery on different types of fabric.

Very often we come across of dilemma: how to choose right stabilizer. What are stabilizers? What are types of stabilizers? Why we need them? We have covered these questions and other useful information in post Embroidery Backings & Toppings Stabilizers.

The wrong stabilizer could be one of the possible reasons for defects, which could affect the exterior of fabric.

Below, we have created the table with information about how to choose right stabilizer for different types of material. It could be very helpful to you on, especially in the beginning. It helps you to come up with some stabilizer before you start embroidery. And then, by trying different fabrics and stabilizers, you will have right match fabric – stabilizer.

Of course, stabilizer should be chosen based on material properties: thickness, density, quality, etc.

General recommendations are the following: as the fabric is thicker and denser, as lighter stabilizer you should use. And vice versa. In 99.9% of the job, you will need only one coat of good quality stabilizer, if you choose the right one.

Below, you will see most popular types of fabric, and recommended stabilizers accordingly:

Fabric Backing Topping
Acrylic Cut Away
Acetate Cut Away
Velours Glue Tear Away (“Filmoplast”), Heat Removable (“Termogaze”).
Velvet TearAway for high-density Velvet, CutAway for thin Velvet
Vinyl Tear Away
Felt Cut Away
Gabardine Cut Away
Gauze DenseSoluble Soluble
Jersey Cut Away or Adhesive
Jeans TearAway or don’t use at all
Chamois leather CutAway for thin leather, TearAway for thick leather
Fake fur Tear Away Soluble
Damask Cut Away
Leather CutAway for thin leather, TearAway For thick leather
Lycra Spunbond
Linen Cut Away  with glue for temporary fixation
Terrycloth Cut Away or Tear Away, Soluble
Muslin Cut Away with glue for temporary fixation
Nylon GlueTearAway (“Filmoplast”), HeatRemovable (“Termogaze”). Top quality Tear Away
3d jersey Cut Away with glue for temporary fixation
Organdy CutAway with glue
Organza Water soluble high quality Tear Away
Sailcloth TearAway for thick material, CutAway for thin
Brocade Tear Away
Percale Cut Away
Piqué, or marcella Cut Away Soluble
Plush Glue Tear Away (“Filmoplast”).
Poplin TearAwayor CutAway depends on density.
Sateen CutAway with temporary fixation glue or glueTearAway (“Filmoplast”)
Spandex CutAway with glue for temporary fixation or glue TearAway (“Filmoplast”), spunbond
Tweed (cloth) Cut Away
Knitwear (T-Shirts) CutAway , TearAway, spun bondorAdhesive, depending on knitwear quality
Flannel Cut Away
Fleece Cut Away
Canvas TearAway or without stabilizer
Silk Tear Away
Chiffon Tear Away

 

Please, be aware, all information in the table – the only RECOMMENDATION how to choose right stabilizer and not the RULE.

In conclusion, I would like to advice: each embroiderer MUST have Cutaway, Tear away, Adhesive and Soluble embroidery stabilizers.