OESD Stabilizer Smarts Video and Gallery of Machine Embroidery Stabilizers

Watch Stabilizer Smarts on Stitch it! Sisters with Deanna Springer and Karie Coffey from OESD! Follow along as they share an assortment of Machine Embroidery Stabilizers including, Cut-Away’s, Tear-Away’s, Wash-Away’s, and Topping Stabilizers. 

Then, head over to ShopNZP.com and our Exclusive Stabilizer Bundle Box that includes OESD Polymesh CutAway Stabilizer, 10″ x 10 yd. Roll; OESD Medium Weight TearAway Stabilizer, 10″ x 10 yd. Roll; OESD AquaMesh WashAway Stabilizer, 10″ x 10 yd. Roll; OESD Heat2Go Topping Specialty Stabilizer, 12″ x 10 yd. Roll; Zippered Polyweave Storage Pouch, 12″ x 16″ and a Stitch it! Sisters Sticker!

Machine Embroidery Stabilizer Basics

Beautiful machine embroidery results begin with choosing the right stabilizer for your project. Stabilizer is the foundation for a successful embroidery project. It stabilizes the fabric and keeps it from moving, puckering, or stretching while embroidering. Stabilizer keeps the stitches looking good after embroidery by adding stability to the fabric. Without stabilizer (or too little stabilizer), embroidery designs will have puckers, holes in the fabric, and alignment problems, like gapping between the fills and the outlines of the designs.

How is stabilizer made?

Most stabilizers are non-woven material, made in a process where the fibers are smoothed into a single consistent layer. All OESD Stabilizers are made with a non-directional process, which means they are equally strong in all directions. Because of this, it does not matter which direction you cut or hoop your stabilizer, as there is no grain! For tearaway stabilizers, this non-directional feature also means that the stabilizer will tear evenly in all directions.

What makes OESD stabilizers different?

OESD Stabilizers are developed by The OESD Team of embroidery experts that have many years of experience in both commercial and home embroidery. Each stabilizer is thoroughly tested for quality and ease of use before it is given the OESD name. OESD stabilizers do not stretch in any direction, ensuring good quality embroidery, even on knits. You’ll notice the high quality and consistency of OESD stabilizers, as well as their versatility for a variety of projects. OESD stabilizers are designed to be the foundation on which you can build quality embroidery!

Why are there so many kinds of stabilizers?

Different stabilizers are made to work with various applications. Many factors go into selecting the correct stabilizer, such as:

• Fabric choice: the weight and type of fabric
• Design density: how many stitches the design has over a given area
• How the project will be embroidered: can the project be hooped
• The desired finished result: whether the back of the embroidery shows, or will the stabilizer show through the fabric

What are the types of stabilizers?

Stabilizers are generally categorized first by how they are removed: CutAway, TearAway, or WashAway. In addition to these three major categories, some items fall into a specialty category, as they either stay in the project or are tools to help with the embroidery process. These major types are color-coded:

In addition to how they are removed, stabilizers are also categorized by other factors. The first is stabilizer weight, such as light, medium, or heavy-weight stabilizer. Stabilizers are also identified by their application, such as a pressure-sensitive or water-activated adhesive. Also, some types are available in multiple colors to match fabric or prevent shadowing.

How do I select the stabilizer weight?

There are some basic guidelines for selecting stabilizer weight. The heavier the fabric and/or the denser (more stitches) the design, the heavier the stabilizer that is needed. You may get better results using two layers of a lighter stabilizer than a single layer of a heavier stabilizer, especially when stitching a heavy design on a lighter weight fabric.

How do I select the stabilizer type?

Selecting a stabilizer type is in part based on personal preference, but each type has features that make it suited to particular kinds of projects.

CutAway Stabilizers

CutAway stabilizer can be used on any fabric but must be used on knits or stretchy fabrics. Because the fabric stretches, unless a CutAway stabilizer supports it, the embroidery will also stretch. CutAway will keep the stitches in place and prevent them from breaking or distorting after embroidery. Use CutAway stabilizer on jersey knit, t-shirts, sweatshirts, knit kids’ clothing, afghan fabric, denim or other twill weaves, and most wearables. CutAway holds up best on items that will be frequently washed and worn.

For beginning embroiderers, using a CutAway stabilizer will give the best results in terms of stitch quality. While it is primarily used for knit fabrics, it can be used on almost any type of fabric and provides the most support, giving the best quality stitch-out with clean alignment. CutAway stabilizers hold the most stitches of all the types of stabilizers. For example, a medium weight CutAway could support as many stitches as a heavy-weight TearAway. For designs with a high stitch count or very detailed outlines, CutAway may be the best choice.

When removing CutAway, cut the stabilizer with scissors about ¼” from the edge of the embroidery, being careful not to cut the fabric while trimming the stabilizer. It is best not to cut the stabilizer closer than ¼”, as it is easy to nick the stitches, and trimming the stabilizer this close can cause a ridge around the embroidery.

WashAway Stabilizers

WashAway stabilizers are made from a chemical starch that dissolves completely in water. When rinsed thoroughly, the stabilizer is completely removed from the fabric.

If a fabric is sturdy and the design is light enough, a WashAway can be used as the primary stabilizer. For sheer fabrics, such as organza, tulle, or batiste, WashAway stabilizer is the best choice, as even a TearAway stabilizer will show on these projects.

WashAway toppings create a smooth surface for embroidery with fabrics containing a pile or nap, such as towels. By laying a piece of WashAway stabilizer over the top of the fabric to be embroidered, the stitches form over the top of the fabric, looking smooth and even, without sinking into the fabric.

WashAway is removed by rinsing it under warm running water. Rinse the project completely before allowing it to dry, as the starch in the stabilizer can stiffen the fabric if it is not rinsed out.

WashAway is also used on in the hoop projects like freestanding lace or appliqué. WashAway is the best choice for freestanding lace designs (unless otherwise noted). OESD recommends using one layer of AquaMesh and one layer of BadgeMaster to provide the perfect amount of stability for freestanding lace.

OESD Wash Away Stabilizers are available in AquaMesh, AquaMesh Plus, StitcH2O, and BadgeMaster.