Heirlooms Forever - Stabilizers

The reason for using backing is to stabilize the design you are sewing on the garment. This is the foundation of your design and we all know if we don't have a good foundation in any walk of life or project, the whole thing will come out wrong. If you build a skyscraper, you better have a good foundation, this also applies to a large stitch count. The more stitches your design has, the more backing you will need. If you only have a light weight backing, use several layers of backing . Four is not too many. You will have to use some common sense judgment on this. Sometimes multiple layers of backing is better than using one layer of a heavier backing.

Use OESD's Cut-Away stabilizers whenever fabric to be embroidered has stretch to it, including knits of any kind, fabrics that are loosely woven, and fabrics that stretch such as denim. (Jeans stretch, therefore, denim needs Cut-Away.) Different weights of OESD Cut-Away are provided for different weights of fabrics and types of designs. OESD Cut-Away will hold many stitches compared to Tear-Away, therefore, if a design is dense, Cut-Away may be used on woven fabrics, too. As the name suggests, ofter embroidering the excess must be cut away.

Heavyweight cut-away is the top selling weight for commercial embroiderers. Cut-away will stabilize thousands of stitches and still maintain a soft drapable finish. A must for all fabrics that stretch such as knits and sweatshirt fabric.

Tear-Away is suitable for stable fabrics that have no stretch. Use Tear-Away on tightly woven fabrics such as quilt fabrics, poly/cotton fabrics, canvas, and duck cloth. It can also be used on vinyl and leather. As the name implies, Tear-Away can be torn away after the embroidery is completed. While holding the embroidered part of the fabric, gently tear "away" from the stitches. Do not tear "into" the stitches. All of OESD's Tear-Aways have a non-directional tear, meaning they will tear easily into any direction. This alleviates the need for criss-crossing when using multiple layers.

As the name implies, these stabilizers wash away from the fabric. Use OESD Wash-Away any time there is a need for the stabilizer to be completely removed from the embroidered item. Wash-Aways can be used for cutwork, stand-alone lace and reverse applique. The most common use of a wash-away topping is to keep the stitches from sinking into the fabric and to prevent any loops of the fabric from poking through the embroidery. Use OESD Wash-Away topping on napped fabrics like corduroy, velvet, fleece and polar fleece. It is a must for towels and terry cloth or velour items. The heavier OESD Wash-Aways are used for lace and projects from with the stabilizer must be removed completely.

Cut-Away | Tear-Away | Water Soluble