Welcome, everybody. Today we are on episode two of our Beginner's Guide to Embroidery.
We are going to be talking about stabilizers!
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Hey, everybody. Tricia here with Sewing Parts Online.
Before we begin, if you could take a moment to Like & Subscribe, that way you will get notified of any future video that we have.
We recently released our first video in our Beginner's Guide to Embroidery.
That episode was on choosing a machine.
So if you haven't seen that one yet, be sure to check it out at the end of this video.
Let's get right into talking about these stabilizers.
The first thing that I want to clarify is that you may have heard a couple of different terms.
Stabilizer, as well as interfacing.
Interfacing is meant to be permanently added to the fabric.
Kind of like, for a collar or maybe using it for buttonholes.
Whereas, a stabilizer generally is removed after you have done your stitching.
I like to think of stabilizers as a foundation for your stitches.
When beginning embroidering, stabilizers were probably the most confusing thing to me.
There's a lot of different types.
There's a lot of information out there and
there's a lot of different opinions.
You think to yourself, when do I use it?
How many layers should I use?
What type of fabric is it for?
Hopefully, with this series,
I'll be able to answer some of those questions for you.
So, let's take a look at the packaging.
On each package, it is going to tell you
the type, the weight, and how it's applied.
So, for an example...
When it comes to the type, you've got Cut-Away, Tear-Away, Wash-Away, and Heat-Away.
So this one says Cut-Away.
That's exactly what you are going to do.
You would take scissors and you would cut the product away after you've done your stitches.
A little saying that I like is, "If you wear it, don't tear it."
So if you're going to be putting it on clothing,
A good option is using the Cut-Away.
If it was a Tear-Away, you would be doing exactly what it says on that as well.
You would simply tear the stabilizer away.
And, you guessed it, with Wash-Away, you will use water.
And with Heat-Away, you would use an iron.
Once you apply the heat, it would just brush away.
Let's talk a little bit about each type.
I found this great sampler pack.
There is something to be said for being able to actually see and feel a product.
This particular one includes 19 different examples.
And, I found it so helpful to be able to touch it.
Another benefit is, it gives you information regarding each one- like when they're useful.
If you're looking at the Cut-Away stabilizers,
it specifically tells you that it's a permanent stabilizer.
It eliminates pulled or sagging stitches.
It's excellent for stretch resistance.
So Cut-Away is ideal when using knits.
It also states that it's reliable.
And that it remains with the fabric for continued stabilization through laundering and washing.
That's really nice to have all those details.
Now, moving on to the Tear-Away.
It states that it is a temporary stabilizer.
It easily tears away for removal.
Prevents stitch distortion.
It's versatile because you can use one or more layers if needed.
Tear-Away is great with woven fabric.
Next, you've got your Wash-Away option.
That also is a temporary stabilizer.
It is going to remove with water.
And this little tip is great.
It is wonderful if you do not want any stabilizer showing, either on the front or back.
So, in that circumstance, you would use a Wash-Away.
And not to forget about the Heat-Away...
That one is going to be a temporary stabilizer as well.
Easily brushes off after heat is applied.
Perfect to use when wetting or tearing is going to distort the fabric and the stitches.
We have another great video on stabilizers, so I will be sure to include a link for that video at the end of this video.
It's always good to have more information.
Now that we've talked about the type, let's talk about the weight.
On each package, you are going to see either Light, Medium, or Heavy.
In this area, I did find a lot of conflicting information.
Some opinions stated that if you have light fabric, use a light stabilizer.
They were saying to match the weight of your stabilizer with the weight of your fabric.
Other information was stating,
if you're using light fabric, use heavy stabilizer- to give it a little more body. .
Or, if you're using heavy fabric, use a light stabilizer since you don't need much stabilization.
All of it makes sense, so it made me pause. I was like,
What's the right way to do it?
And then I remembered something.
I had taken a class on stabilizers and
this gentleman, who has been doing embroidery for many many years,
pointed out that
everybody does it differently.
He pointed out three of his coworkers.
They were discussing one similar project.
And they all did it differently.
So, at that time, I kind of was like, nope- red flag.
That's making me twitch.
I want to know the fabric type, what stabilizer to use, when to use it.
I was like, mmmm, maybe embroidery is not for me
But then he encouraged everyone that
it just takes time and practice.
And finding what works well for you,
and your machine.
And also,
people learn what brands they prefer
and methods that they like.
He just encouraged everyone to get in there and do it.
Once he told me that, I took a breath and
dove right in.
So, we've covered the type and the weight, now let's talk about how it's applied.
So the packaging is going to show you that as well.
You'll see an iron if it's an iron on.
This particular one shows that it is a self adhesive so it's going to have a sticky back.
Others don't have either of those and you could either baste it in or
use an adhesive spray.
A lot of people will do what's called floating.
You've got your stabilizer down and then you use an adhesive spray and place the fabric on top-
without hooping the fabric.
We'll discuss that more in our upcoming episode on hooping.
I want to take a quick moment to talk about this product.
It's called Terial Magic.
It is a spray on stabilizer.
So, just a quick overview.
You saturate the fabric,
and then you let it dry, kind of, to a damp consistency.
Then you iron it.
Your fabric turns into like a paperlike feel.
It is incredible.
Then you don't have to use a stabilizer with your fabric.
It's already stabilized.
It's pretty cool.
You have to see it in person to appreciate it.
I hope that you were able to take a little something from this video.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Please comment below and I will do my best to answer them.
Make sure to keep an eye out for our next video in our Beginner's Guide to Embroidery series.
It's going to be about Needles.
Thank you so much for joining me. Until next time.