Water-soluble stabilizers are a godsend for both machine and hand embroidery enthusiasts. Famously known as the wash-away stabilizer, it’s an essential tool for ensuring perfect stitch quality on those tricky fabrics. The beauty of it? It vanishes without a trace when you’re done!
The Magic of Lightweight Film-Like Stabilizers (e.g., Sulky Solvy)
For fabrics that have a bit of texture or softness – think t-shirts, towels, or velvets – a water-soluble topper is your best friend. This topper prevents the stitches from getting lost in the plush of the fabric. And if you’re concerned about water exposure, heat-away film is a stellar alternative. It simply brushes off post-ironing.
Application is a breeze. Either hoop it together with your fabric or let it float above. For that floating magic, a hint of temporary spray adhesive, pins, or a touch of water at the stabilizer’s edges does the trick!
Using Wash-Away Stabilizers as a Supportive Backing
There’s a variety to choose from – fibrous fabric types or heavier film-like ones like Sulky Ultra Solvy. The choice and layer count typically depend on your fabric’s nature and the embroidery design’s intricacy.
Positioning is equally versatile. Hoop it with the fabric or let the fabric float atop the hooped stabilizer. There are even adhesive versions that stick with ease. For specific designs like free-standing lace or certain patches, the stabilizer stands solo, and the embroidery goes right on top. It’s also perfect for delicate tasks like hand embroidery or embroidering on sheer materials.
Why Opt for Wash-Away Stabilizer?
Its prime advantage? It’s a fantastic replacement for tear-away variants, saving you the hassle of picking out its remnants. Ideal for instances where you desire no leftover stabilizer and don’t require the firmness of a cut-away. However, if your design’s dense or the fabric’s super stretchy, water-soluble might not cut it. That’s when cut-away or no-show mesh stabilizers come into play.
Effortlessly Removing Water-Soluble Stabilizer
Upon completion, trimming close to the design and washing away the stabilizer is the way to go. Do ensure all paper-type stabilizer gets washed out the first time, or it might stiffen up permanently.
For those using a topper, after removing most of it manually, you have a plethora of options:
- Tap Water: Simply rinse or soak. For faster drying, dab with a moist cotton swab or paper towel.
- Seam-Fix Remover: An interesting method found on Craftsy, but its effectiveness varies across fabrics.
- Damp Paper Towel + Iron: As per Sulky’s advice, it’s quick but demands caution, especially with delicate fabrics or metallic threads.
- Tennis Ball Trick: An untested but fascinating method seen in John Deer’s video.
Recycle and Reuse: Turn it into a Liquid Stabilizer!
Crafty souls, rejoice! Repurpose those tiny leftover pieces into a liquid spray stabilizer. This DIY mixture is fantastic for prepping thin fabrics and preventing knit fabric edges from curling. Plus, it washes out in the first laundry run. Check out Sulky’s blog for a detailed how-to, though I sometimes skip the rubbing alcohol.
| Key Details | Insights |
|---|---|
| What is it? | Water-soluble stabilizer, also known as wash-away stabilizer |
| Main Uses | As a topper or backing in embroidery |
| Removal Methods | Washing, Seam-Fix, Ironing, Tennis Ball |
| Recycling | Can be reused as a liquid spray stabilizer |