I researched and some people use lightweight cutaway, some use tearaway, some use heavyweight WWS, some use two stabilisers at 90degree angles....

Alma, I'm sure you are finished by now and found what works best for you. I used a tearaway and had no problem with it. My white fabric was quilting cotton and the cream fabric was actually lt wt. muslin. I'm still new at all this, but love it when ppl ask questions I wouldn't think of. Thanks

I use medium weight cutaway and leave it the size of the quilt block.
This gives the best, long-term, support for the embroidery stitches and leaving it the size of the block, instead of cutting to the size of the embroidery, means it gives a better, more solid, appearance.

Just my choice/preference.

IMHO, cutaway gives no real support to embroidery and especially if it is a dense design it requires a more permanent stabiliser. Others may disagree and I'm open to hear their reasons if they do.
Hugs n roses, Meganne

1 comment

by mops 14 Jul 2010

Meganne, I think in the last alinea you mean tear-away, not cut-away as you are recommending that in the first alinea. Right?

Thank you for this question***

Alma...use what works best for you....I have no preference and everyone uses different like you said...I try to get most of it removed also....deanna

1 comment

by almag 14 Jul 2010

Thanks, Deanna. I have just completed the dense design that was worrying me. I used iron-on tearaway stabiliser and the fabric didn't hold in the hoop. I'll now make myself a little batting frame and try again with one stop looser in the tension. I'll use a stronger, thicker stabiliser, too.
OK... I'm talking to myself here... don't worry... I think I can, I think I ca ....chug chug chug....