Do any of you know of a way to tell the weight of your stabilizer? I have an iron on tearaway that I got with my machine ages ago..Now ,when looking for more I find that different weights are listed.I also have a cut away that seems heavy..??I noted that there are several different weights to that also.The only one I am sure about is my mesh.There is no marking on any package that states whether any stabilizer is 1 oz. or 2 oz. so I am wondering when something says to use say a cutaway,or 2 layers of tearaway if a different weight would work better? How can I tell what to order if I don't know the weight of what I have!Also, has anyone tried the tearaway/washaway? Thanks.

Hi Nadyne, I do purchase my stabilizers by weight. I use tear away in 1.5 and 1.8. It is a med. and works for most projects. I use 1.5 and 2.5 cut away. The 2.5 I use for dense designs and when I'm going to frame it. I keep the rolls marked with masking tape at to what they are and the weight. Hope this helps you a little. Hugs..Carol

1 comment

by chenille 07 Sep 2012

Thanks! You sound very organized....I try :-)
Hugs, Nadyne

Here's a link to the cutaway stabilizers on Embroidery Passion, which is owned by Shawn Knight (Designs by Sick). These are listed by weight, and if you click on the photo of the stabilizer, and then on the "detailed description" tab, it will tell you how many stitches are supported and what the stabilizer is good for, how to use it. Shawn gets his stabilizers from Fred Lebow's company, and Fred was the one who developed stabilizer for Walter Floriani, so he knows his stuff. Designs by Sick is a Canadian company, so Embroidery Passion is their USA warehouse. If you're in Canada, they have a choice for "Canadian orders" on the SICK site, that way they can serve both countries without all the customs & postage stuff. These cutaways are on sale now, too, if you want to try several kinds. I still have no idea how to tell what you have in hand unless you kept the package that tells you. Hope this helps, hugs, Marji

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by chenille 07 Sep 2012

Thanks Marji. I have ordered from there before and have been very happy with the results.I was wanting to order thier new tearaway/washaway but they had sold out.I ordered another small amt. from a company on ebay (it was the only one that shiped to Canada),I'm just so anxious to try it!Will let everyone know when I get it & try it.
Hugs, Nadyne

I have never seen any 'actual weight' stated on stabilisers, but I have seen classifications of, light weight, medium weight and heavy weight.
I have also seen stabilisers classed by their stitch-holding ability, in other words the recommended stitch density of the design, light stitch count, medium stitch count or heavy stitch count. (pretty useless guideline IMO)
I nearly always use medium weight stabiliser, it has to be the most versatile of all.
My one suggestion, when buying stabiliser online, would be to buy it from a dealer who gives the best description of the product so you can be almost guaranteed that you will get what you want.
I purchase most of my stabiliser from Shopper's Rule.com because they usually have detailed description of each one.
I hope this helps, hugs n roses, Meg

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by chenille 07 Sep 2012

Thanks Meg. I have seen a lot advertized at 1,1 1/2, 2, & 3 oz.weights but I am assuming that my cutaway is 3oz. it seems very heavy,like pellon interfacing for drapery. I usually buy from Sick as they ship in Canada but I did order some online as I told Marji.
I will see how it turns out.
Hugs, Nadyne

I'm going to take this back to the top to see if you get any more answers. You have a very good question.

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by chenille 07 Sep 2012

Thanks a bunch!
Hugs, Nadyne

have no clue either.. waiting for an answer

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by chenille 07 Sep 2012

Thanks!

Maybe not too many people were on over Labor Day, and this might have some answers? I know some stabilizers are labeled in ounces, some just called "heavy", "light", depends on the manufacturer. Can anyone shed more light on the subject? If so, thanks, hugs, Marji

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by chenille 07 Sep 2012

Good point!

A very good question Thank you !!
I just looked at my tearaway and I could not tell you the weight of it..
I look forward to any further responses
big hugs - Maria xx

I know they tell the weights of batting in ounces, but not stabilizers. Usually, they just say on the package if it is light weight or mid-weight or heavy weight, cutaway etc. If I don't store the stabilizer inside the package it came in, I roll the important part of the package up and store it inside the roll. If it didn't come in a roll, I put the stabilizer and the package inside a ziplock bag. I get the 2 gallon size ziplock bags for the bigger stuff. The same thing for interfacing for sewing.

3 comments

by chenille 02 Sep 2012

Thanks.I have noticed that some stabilizers are listed as 1oz.,2oz., 2 1/2 oz. etc. so was wondering...
Hugs &*

by pennyhal 02 Sep 2012

Gosh, I just double checked mine and none of my stabilizers have ounces or any weights on them. I must have different brands.

by pennyhal 03 Sep 2012

Well, maybe I should say they are labeled as Heavy Weight or Mid Weight, but not in ounces.