There are also many factors that contribute to a nice embroidery result when embroidering with the embroidery machine. Knowing your stabilizers, what they’re used for and when, is essential for gaining the best results from your machine embroidery.This guide will help answer these questions and more to help you get more professional results and become a better embroiderer.

What is a stabiliser?

Think of a stabiliser as a temporary part of your project – it serves the same purpose as pins would when you are making a garment.

Backing recommendations

Canvas-
Light to medium tear-away backing

Canton fleece-
Use light tear-away polyester backing to maintain color if a garment is subjected to extensive sunlight, chlorine, salt water or industrial laundering and bleaching.

Coated or waterproof fabric-
Use a light to heavy tear-away backing

Corduroy-
Use a medium topping and light to medium tear-away

Cotton sheeting-
Use a heavy cut-away or tear-away/wash-away

Denim-
Use a heavy cut-away or tear-away/wash-away

Dress shirt (woven)-
Use a heavy cut-away or tear-away/wash-away

Golf shirt-
Use a light to heavy cut-away
Heavy knits require a medium to heavy cut-away
Medium knits require a light cut-away

Headwear-
Use a medium to heavy tear-away

Leather and vinyl-
Use a light tear-away

Lingerie or silk-
Use a water-soluble tear-away backing

Lycra or spandex-
Use a medium cut-away or water-soluble tear-away

Nylon windbreaker-
Use a light to heavy cut-away

Satin jacket-
Use a light to heavy cut-away

Sweater knit-
Use a medium to heavy cut-away

Sweatshirt-
Use a heavy tear-away or cut-away

T-shirt-
Use a light, water-soluble tear-away or medium cut-away

Terry cloth-
Use a medium weight, water-soluble tear-away and topping