Stabilizers (Backing) - Brother 882-T51 Operation Manual

Stabilizers (backing)

Backing and topping serve to stabilize and support
the product being embroidered so the stitches can
be sewn with the least amount of interference or
instability. They serve as stabilizers for your
embroidery work. Without the proper type of
stabilizer, the fabric may move too much within
the embroidery frame causing poor alignment of
the embroidery. At times, topping will be required
in order to manage fabrics with a pile-like surface,
such as towels, corduroy and pique knit. There are
many types of backing and toppings with various
weights for the various fabrics that you may be
sewing.
There are four types of stabilizers (backing) that
can be used in embroidery: cut-away, tear-away,
water soluble and self-adhesive. In these four
types, various weights, sizes and textures are
available. When selecting the stabilizer type for a
particular fabric, consider the pattern size in
addition to the stitch count and stitch type used in
the pattern.
Finally, make sure that the stabilizer is not
stretched. Some backings may not stretch
vertically or horizontally but may stretch
diagonally. DO NOT USE THESE TYPES. This type
of backing will stretch during sewing and may
cause the pattern to shift.
1.Polyester mesh cut-away stabilizer works
extremely well with light-colored fabrics since it
prevents a shadow from showing through on the
front after you have trimmed away the excess. This
type of backing is ideal whenever you need
stability with a light and soft touch in your finished
product, for example, with baby garments.
2.Cut-away stabilizer is excellent for medium- to
heavyweight knits, however it can also be used on
woven material. It will hold a large number of
stitches and with two or three layers can hold a
tremendous amount of stitches. This type of
backing is also available in black for those who
want the inside of their garments to look as good
as the outside. Black stabilizer is very useful on
similarly colored garments of lightweight fabrics.
The black backing is less likely to show through as
compared to white backing.
3.Self-adhesive (peel-and-stick) backing is used on
those difficult-to-hoop fabrics. This backing is
applied (with sticky side up) to the underside of
the frame, enabling your fabric to "stick on" the
exposed surface in the embroidery area. When the
embroidery is finished, the fabric can be removed,
the excess backing can be disposed of and the
process repeated.
4.Tear-away stabilizer can be used on
mediumweight woven fabrics and sturdy fabrics
such as canvas, poplin and denim. This stabilizer
will hold many stitches especially when used in
two or more layers. This type of stabilizer is made
of a non-woven material that enables it to easily
be torn away from the edges of your embroidery
design when it is completed. This stabilizer is also
available in black.
5.Water-soluble stabilizer is useful when you need
to keep the nap or pile, for example, on towels,
from interfering with the placement of stitches.
Fabrics such as terry cloth, corduroy, velvet and
faux fur are examples of materials that have a nap
or pile that can actually penetrate embroidery
stitches as your machine sews. The result is an
unfinished and often sloppy appearance when
fibers of the fabric poke out between the finished
stitches of an embroidery design. In these
situations, water-soluble stabilizer is used as a
topping to hold the fibers of the fabric flat so the
stitches can be placed on top neatly and
accurately. Water-soluble stabilizer is also used as
a backing when stitching lace or other motifs
where the desired result is only the stitching. This
is accomplished with water-soluble stabilizer,
which can easily be pulled off of the fabric after
embroidering is completed and any remnants can
easily be dissolved with water. Water-soluble
stabilizer is also used as a backing on towels,
where you often need some stabilization, but any
remnants of a formal backing must not be visible
in the finished product.
APPENDIX
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