Embroidery is one of the oldest forms of art that has retained its popularity over a period of time. Although the beautiful piece of work on the front attracts our attention, what lies beneath is the support system that makes the embroidery look beautiful. And here we are talking about embroidery stabilizer.
These are the unsung heroes of machine embroidery. It is present underneath the fabric and supports the design on the front.
If you have started to learn the art of embroidery, then you will come across various technical aspects which creates a perfect embroidery, and one such aspect is embroidery stabilizer. This backing from the foundation of embroidery. At this point, you must also note that this embroidery backing varies from the kind of cloth on which you will be doing the embroidery.
People use different types of embroidery stabilizers like paper towel coffee filters and others, but you must know that these will not provide the right support to the design, and hence, you must know about the right type of embroidery stabilizer for specific clothing.
As we have mentioned, there are different types of backing that support the embroidery, and here we are highlighting the cutaway, tear away, water-soluble and heat away. Each comes in multiple weights, along with sticky, fusible and non-fusible options. Also, each of these types has some specification and must be used with the right type of material. The following pointers describe in detail the same.
If you are looking to create permanent support to the design, then cut away backing is the right option. It is good for creating a detailed and intricate design. Also, you must know that this backing sticks permanently to the fabric, and the excess is removed. This one is particularly beneficial for stretchable materials.
The next common type is torn away from the backing and is good for providing light support. These are good for heavyweight work and are also available in adhesive types. You can easily remove it by tearing it off. This backing is usually used in natural fabrics like robes, leather and blanket.
As evident from the name, this type of embroidery backing gets washed off by rinsing it in water. This one is perfect for sheer fabrics. For intricate and unique embroidery, this one is a good choice
As we have mentioned, there are different types of backing for different materials; for example, you can use heat away backing for satin, velvet or other materials in the same range. These can be easily removed by using heat.
These are some of the common types of embroidery stabilizer available in the market. If you are planning to learn this art, you must also know what goes into the making of it. Remove, embroidery stabilizers are paramount to grip the embroidery and ensure that each thread gets woven beautifully to create intricate designs.
If you are a beginner in this field, then it is highly recommended that apart from professional learning, you must also choose to practice it yourself. Pull out some rolls and old clothes, and start knitting beautiful designs. While you may be good at designing, remember that what goes in the core of a design ensures its stability and beauty, and that’s why choosing the right embroidery stabilizer becomes paramount.
As always, embroidery is both art and science, and hence you must know about the technical details so that you can do justice to your creativity.
