Stitch 'Em Up - Applique a Story in Fabric - Nutcracker Patterns
     

Stabilizers for Machine Embroidery

Machine applique is a form of machine embroidery, so it's benefited from the variety of stabilizers developed for use with home embroidery sewing machines. Stabilizers are used to prevent stitches from rippling and distorting- regardless of the background fabric.

The liquid spray-on stabilizers and the sticky backed stabilizers are not good choices for machine applique. The liquid is not sturdy enough and the sticky back is hard to remove. The exception is Perfect Sew liquid as you can submerge your fabric in it. Personal note: I've used Perfect Sew before embroidering silk batiste Christening dresses; I could have flown that fabric like a frisbee- absolutely NO distortion for the embroidery stitches. You can see the Christening dress process here.

To use, cut a piece of stabilizer a little larger than the applique and pin it or iron it to the wrong side the background fabric directly behind the applique. Follow the manufacturer's directions to remove it.

Stitch Legend

  • S = Satin Stitch
  • B = Blanket Stitch
  • D = Decorative Stitches
  • M = Mock Hand Applique
Cut Away Stitch Weight Material Background Fabric
Sulky's Cut Away Plus S, B, D, M Med. to Heavy Nonwoven Knits (sweaters, T-Shirts, Sweatshirts)
Sulky's Cut Away Soft and Sheer S, B, D, M Light Nonwoven Baby Knits, Sheers, Batiste
 
Tear Away Stitch Weight Material Background Fabric
Sulky's Tear Easy S Light Nonwoven Wovens (cotton, linen, denim, wool, canvas) & Non Wovens (leather, synthetics)
Stitch N Ditch S, B, D, M Light Paper Wovens & Nonwovens
Pellon's Stitch N Tear S Medium Nonwoven Wovens & Nonwovens
Sulky's Stiffy S Heavy Nonwoven Heavy Wovens
Sulky's Totally Stable S Medium Nonwoven Wovens
 
Wash Away Stitch Weight Material Background Fabric
Sulky's Solvy S, B, D, M Light Film Over appliques on high loft fabrics (terry, velour, velvet, fleece)
Sulky's Super Solvy S, B, D, M Medium Film Same as Solvy
Sulky's Paper Solvy
*Can be used as foundation & stabilizer		 S, B, D, M Medium Paper All types including delicates
Sulky's Fabric Solvy S, B, D, M Firm Fabric Feel All - best use for machine embroidery
Pellon's Sol-u-Web S, B, D, M Light Nonwoven/ Iron On Same as Solvy
Avalon by Madiera S, B, D, M Light Film Same as Solvy
Palmer Pletsch Perfect Sew S, D, Firm Liquid Light to medium weight, sheers, knits
 
Heat Away Stitch Weight Material Background Fabric
Sulky's Heat Away S, B, D, M Firm Film All including delicates and velvets