What stabilizer gives the best results?

Alice WolfOctober 30, 2019

1 minute read

Stabilizers, or backings and toppings, are probably the most agonized over of all embroidery choices. This agony is perhaps due to there being so many from which to choose. This chart summarizes which way to lean, depending on the item or fabric you need to stabilize during the embroidery process. And the illustration of the two basic fabric types also suggests stabilizer choices:

When the fabric is stable, use a tearaway backing
When the fabric is stretchy, slippery, or unstable in any way, use a cutaway
When the fabric is lightweight, never overpower it with backing, or you’ll create the badge effect
For a large design with thousands of dense stitches, use a heavyweight stabilizer

Garment – Fabric	Thread	Stabilizer	Needle	Specialty Products
Badges/Emblems	Any	Heavy Tearaway	Sharp Point	Crinoline
Tote Bags – Canvas	Any	Medium Tearaway	Sharp Point
Bath Robes – Velour	Any	Washaway	Ballpoint	Topping
Belt/Dog Collar – Nylon Webbing	Any	Stick-On/Peel & Press	Sharp Point
Blankets – Fleece	Any	Washaway	Ballpoint	Topping
Caps – Structured	Polyester	Heavy Tearaway	Sharp Point
Caps-Knit – Heavy Knit	Any	Washaway	Ballpoint	Topping
Dress Shirts – Blend	Any	No Show Cutaway	Ballpoint
Dress Shirts – Cotton	Any	No Show Cutaway	Ballpoint
Golf Shirts – Knit	Any	No Show Cutaway	Ballpoint	Topping
Golf Shirt – Piqué	Any	No-Show Cutaway	Ballpoint	Topping
Jacket – Denim	any	Medium Tearaway	Sharp Point
Jacket – Fleece	Any	Medium Cutaway	Ballpoint	Topping
Jackets – Nylon	Any	No Show Cutaway	Ballpoint
Jeans – Denim	Any	Medium Tearaway	Sharp Point
Linens – Light Woven	Any	Washaway	Ballpoint
Performancewear Garments	Rayon	No-Show Cutaway	Ballpoint
Sweat Shirts – Heavy Knit	Any	Heavy Cutaway	Ballpoint	Topping
Sweaters – Heavy Knit	Any	Medium Cutaway	Ballpoint	Topping
Sweaters – Light Knit	Any	No Show Cutaway	Ballpoint	Topping
Towels – Terry	Any	Washaway	Sharp Point	Topping