Went to an event for OESD, I would like to know what is the stabilizers that you use the most. I would like to get more stabilizers but unsure what one to buy. I do not want to have all different kinds being left unused.

I have plastic type topping and washaway under for towels and medium tearaway for most other things. I also use soft dressmakers interfacing for a lot of embroidery as well not the iron on type.

Hi I use cutaway and water soluble mostly. A water soluble thinner topper and Badgemaster for Free standing lace. Hope that helps

I keep at least 1 roll ahead of a medium weight tear away, a medium cut away and a heavy cut away. I can layer when I need too. I do keep a roll of light cut away and light tear away. I have lots of vilene and WSS because I enjoy stitching FSL. I have so many specialty stabilizers and seldom use them. Everyone will have a different answer because of what they love to embroider so there is no right or wrong answer. You can't go wrong with medium cut away and tear away. Have fun stitching.

Sewing Machine.com sells a tearaway medium (TM) that works for 95% of what I stitch. It supports very well, removes nicely, and is quite reasonable for a 25 yard roll. For quilts or lace I use their cold water washaway ("Vanish"), a white washaway, which is slightly more per roll. I almost don't use cutaway any more, the tearaway is so good. By the way, OESD has a nice clear washaway product for lace that I used previously.

It depends on what your Embroidering.....Here is a guide for you.


Fabrics 101 Stabilizer & Design Guide

When fabric is produced, manufacturers don't anticipate that anything will be added to it. When
embroidering onto fabric, we're adding weight and tension of thread and stitches. The fabric needs to
be stronger and more "stable" to support the stitches - and that is why stabilizer is used with every
embroidery project.
If the fabric isn't stabilized properly, you'll see less-than-stellar results. You might find shifting and
gapping, puckering, dimpling, and more. Choosing the right type of design and stabilizer for your
fabric is the key to getting great results.
The Fabrics 101 articles are an excellent guide for your stitching projects, and you can find them all
here. This chart is a quick reference guide that summarizes those articles. Below you'll find the type
of fabric, along with our recommendation for type of design, stabilizer, and needle. To read the full
Fabrics 101 article for a type of fabric, click on the fabric name.
Fabric Stabilizer/Backing Design Needle
Aida Cloth Cutaway Any.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Balsa Wood Cutaway
Choose light
designs, such as
Redwork, toile,
or vintage.
75/11 embroidery
or universal
needle
Batiste Water soluble or
tear-away
Choose light and
open designs.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used
Broadcloth Cutaway
Choose light
designs, such as
toile, vintage,
Redwork, or
designs with light
and open areas.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used
Burlap Cutaway
Choose solid,
stitch-filled
designs. Avoid
light designs
(they will get lost
in the weave of
the burlap).
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used
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Canvas Cutaway Any.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used
Chamois Cutaway
Any; but be
cautious of
running-stitch
designs (like
Redwork) that
may get lost in
the nap of the
fabric.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Charmeuse Cutaway
Any, but
consider draping
(choose open
designs for
better draping).
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Chiffon Water-soluble Open, airy, and
light.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Cloth Diapers Cutaway
Designs of any
complexity will
work well.
Choose small
designs or
designs with
open areas to
avoid leaking
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Confetti Dot Cutaway
If using a large
design, choose
open, airy, and
light; if a small
design, solidfilled.
75/11 sharp
needle
(necessary to
penetrate the
"dots)
Corduroy Cutaway
Any for narrow
wale; for wide
wale, choose
solid-filled
designs (avoid
running-stitch or
Redwork
designs).
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Denim Cutaway Any.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
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be used.
Faux Fur Cutaway
Solid-filled
designs; avoid
Redwork or light
designs.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Faux Suede
Cutaway in most
cases; tear-away
with light designs
Any, but
consider draping.
75/11 sharp
needle
(necessary for
penetrating
thicker fabric)
Faux Leather Cutaway
Any, but
consider draping
(open designs
will give the best
draping).
75/11 sharp
needle
(necessary for
leaving small
perforations in
the material)
Felt Cutaway Any.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Flannel Cutaway Any.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Fleece
Cutaway; tear-away
may be used for
simple and light
designs
Any (but in some
cases, runningstitch
or
Redwork designs
may get lost in
the fabric).
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery or
universal needle
may also be
used.
Gabardine Cutaway
Any (but
consider
draping).
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Handkerchiefs
Cutaway, tear-away,
or water-soluble can
be used.
Choose light
designs, such as
Redwork, toile,
or vintage.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Hemp Cutaway
Any, but can
depend on the
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
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weight of the
fabric. needle may also
be used.
Homespun
Cutaway or tearaway
depending on
the fabric blend
Light and open
designs for
cotton/poly
blends, solid-fill
designs for
sturdier 100%
cotton
homespun.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Jersey Knit Cutaway
Low to medium
complexity
designs, or
designs with
open areas, will
work best.
10/70, 11/75, or
12/80 sharp or
embroidery
needle.
Leather Cutaway
Choose designs
that have been
digitized
specifically for
leather, or light
and sheer
designs.
80/12 leather
needle.
Linen Cutaway
Choose designs
with open areas
for best draping.
75/11 sharp
needle.
Micro Pique Cutaway
Choose light and
airy designs for
best draping.
75/11 sharp
needle.
Ball point and
embroidery
needles may also
be used.
Microfiber Cutaway
Choose small to
medium-size
stitch-filled
designs.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Minkee (Microfiber
Plush) Cutaway
Choose solidfilled
designs;
sheer or
Redwork designs
will get lost in
the fabric nap.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Moleskin
Cutaway; tear-away
may be used for
simple and light Any.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
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designs be used.
Muslin
Cutaway; tear-away
may be used for
simple and light
designs
Choose light,
open, and airy
designs.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Neoprene Cutaway Any. 75/11 sharp
needle.
Nylon Cutaway
Choose designs
with light to
medium
complexity;
applique is also
a great choice.
75/11 sharp
needle.
Nylon Pet Screen Water-soluble
Choose mediumto-complex
designs. Avoid
light designs,
such as
Redwork, as
those will get
lost in the fabric.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Organza Water-soluble
Choose light,
open, and airy
designs.
75/11 sharp
needle.
Outdoor WeatherResistant
(Sunbrella)
Cutaway Any. 75/11 sharp
needle.
Pashmina Water-soluble
Choose light,
open, and airy
designs.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Pique Cutaway
Choose designs
of any
complexity, but
consider draping.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Polyester
Shantung Cutaway
Choose designs
of low to medium
complexity, but
consider draping.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
75/11 sharp
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Pre-Quilted Cutaway Any.
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
PUL Cutaway
Designs of
varying
complexity work
well.
75/11 sharp
needle (for
smallest
perforations)
Quilter's Cotton Cutaway
Choose designs
of low to medium
complexity.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Ribbon Cutaway
Choose designs
of low to medium
complexity.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Satin
Cutaway; tear-away
may be used for
simple and light
designs
Choose designs
of low to medium
complexity.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Sherpa Cutaway
Solid-filled
designs; avoid
sheer or
Redwork
designs.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Silk
Cutaway for heavier
silk; tear-away for
light and translucent
silk
Choose light and
simple designs
for translucent
silk; can use
more complex
designs with
heavier silk.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Spandex Cutaway
Choose open
designs, with
light to medium
complexity.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Straw Hats Tear-away or watersoluble
Any (but can
depend on
coloration of
straw).
75/11 sharp
needle.
Dependent on
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Sweater Knits Cutaway
type of knit;
choose light
designs for
tightly-woven
knit, and more
complex and
filled designs for
knits with a
loose weave.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Sweatshirts Cutaway
Any (but
consider
draping).
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Taffeta Cutaway
Choose open
and airy designs
for best draping.
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
T-Shirts
(Cotton/Knit) Cutaway
Choose designs
of low to medium
complexity
(consider
draping)
75/11 sharp
needle.
An embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Towels (Tea,
Flour Sack)
Cutaway; can use
tear-away if using
light or Redwork
designs
Choose designs
with low to
medium
complexity.
75/11 sharp
needle. An
embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Towels
(Terrycloth, Linen) Cutaway
For linen towels,
choose designs
of any
complexity. For
terrycloth,
choose designs
of medium
complexity;
avoid Redwork
or running-stitch
designs.
75/11 sharp
needle. An
embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Tulle Water-soluble
Light designs
with open areas
(avoid Redwork
or running-stitch
designs).
75/11 sharp
needle. An
embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Velour Cutaway
Designs of
medium-to-high
complexity.
Avoid light or
75/11 sharp
needle. An
embroidery
needle may also
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running-stitch
designs. be used.
Velvet Cutaway
Choose designs
with medium to
high complexity.
Avoid light or
running-stitch
designs.
75/11 sharp
needle. An
embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Vinyl / Oilcloth Cutaway
Choose designs
with low-tomedium
complexity.
Avoid very
complex
designs.
75/11 sharp
needle.
Waffle Weave Cutaway
Choose designs
with medium to
high complexity.
Avoid light,
sheer, or
running-stitch
designs.
75/11 sharp
needle. An
embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Wool Cutaway
Any, but
consider the
weight of the
wool. For
lightweight,
choose light and
airy designs for
the best draping.
75/11 sharp
needle. An
embroidery
needle may also
be used.
Brands of stabilizer:
Each brand and type of stabilizer has strengths and weaknesses, and everyone has their favorites.
Here's what we use:
Cutaway. Choosing a soft and pliable cutaway stabilizer (nothing stiff) will bring the best results,
both during embroidery and during wear/use/laundering of the item as well. We use a 2.5 ounce
cutaway called Soft-n-Stable made by Brother. We also enjoy a wide variety of the Floriani cutaway
products (in particular, No-Show Mesh).
Tear-away. We get great results with Terradon Clean Tear, as well as Floriani tear-away products.
Water-Soluble. Vilene (a fibrous water-soluble product) is a dream to work with when making
freestanding lace items. We've also used Sulky Ultra Solvy with excellent results.
Notes about needles: We prefer to use a size 11 sharp needle (not an embroidery needle) in all of
our projects. A sharp needle has a fine and small point, whereas an embroidery needle has a
rounded tip. A sharp needle will give a crisper and neater look to the stitches than an embroidery
needle.
When embroidering and using a cutaway backing, you can use an embroidery needle instead of a
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sharp needle (the difference in the results will likely be negligible). However, if you are using tearaway

or water-soluble stabilizer (for in-the-hoop or freestanding lace projects), always use a sharp needle.
Using an embroidery or universal needle will rip, tear, or leave large holes in the stabilizer. That can
cause misalignment issues, as well as thread looping, breaks, and other tension problems