perfect pairing embroidery machine
perfect pairing embroidery machine

Perfect Pairings

Learn how to select the correct stabilizer, topper and needle combinations
for six common fabrics to expand your project possibilities.

FLEECE
• Match fleece fabric, such as polar fleece, Cuddle or ready-made blankets, with a soft mesh cutaway stabilizer. Fleece fabrics are typically stretchy and require a cut-away stabilizer to support the stitches, particularly because the finished projects are washed often.
Lightweight cut-away stabilizer has a soft drape that matches the fleece. Choose a stabilizer color that blends closely with the fabric. Hoop the stabilizer and fabric together as one unit.

• Select a water-soluble topper to prevent the fabric nap from sticking up through the finished embroidery stitches. Secure the topper in place over the hooped stabilizer and
fabric using painter’s tape.
• Use a size 80/12 ballpoint embroidery needle. Universal needles have a sharper point that cuts the knit fleece, creating small holes or snags in the fabric.
T-SHIRT KNIT

• Jersey knit T-shirts or active-wear knits are stretchy and require a soft mesh cut-away stabilizer to allow the fabric to drape properly on the
body . For added stability during stitching, adhere a fusible mesh cut-away stabilizer to the knit fabric before hooping.
• Use a water-soluble topper on waffle or piqué knits to enhance the finished embroidery appearance.
• Select a size 75/11 ballpoint needle for lightweight T-shirts or a size 80/12 ballpoint needle for heavier knits, such as golf shirts

DENIM
• Select a medium- or heavyweight cut-away stabilizer for denim fabrics,
such as jackets or jeans . Denim has a twill weave that stretches and needs cut-away stabilizer to support the stitches. Use heavyweight cutaway stabilizer for dense, detailed embroidery designs on denim.
• Denim fabric texture needs a watersoluble topper to improve the design appearance. Or select an opaque permanent topper for dark denim fabric and a light-colored embroidery design to prevent the dark fabric from showing through the design.
• Use a size 80/12 or 90/14 sharp embroidery needle depending on the denim weight.
TERRY CLOTH
• Towels or bathrobes need a medium- to heavyweight tearaway stabilizer to provide adequate support . Towels are reversible, so the stabilizer needs to be concealed. Tear-away stabilizer leaves some small pieces visible, but they eventually wash away.

tip
Always pre-wash jeans to eliminate shrinkage before embroidery.

Use a heavyweight water-soluble stabilizer to prevent any stabilizer from showing, but test the stabilizer on an old towel or similar-weight terry cloth fabric scrap to ensure
the stabilizer supports the design. Use pressure-sensitive adhesive stabilizers with caution on towels. The knit loops stick to the stabilizer
and may pull when the stabilizer is removed.
• Use a water-soluble topper to prevent the knit loops from poking through the finished embroidery stitches. Secure the topper in place over the hooped stabilizer and fabric using painter’s tape .
• Select a size 80/12 sharp needle for best results.

STURDY WOVENS
• Use a light- to medium-weight tearaway stabilizer for quilting cottons,  medium- to heavyweight linens and chambray, depending on the design density .

Use lightweight stabilizer for less dense designs, such as redwork.
• Select a size 75/11 or 80/12 sharp needle for best results.

FINE FABRICS
• Use a water-soluble stabilizer for fine fabrics, such as batiste, organza and
sheers . Select a mesh stabilizer for denser designs and a transparent
stabilizer for less dense designs.
• Select a size 70/10 sharp needle for most fine fabrics; however, some
very lightweight fine fabrics need a smaller size 65/9 size needle.

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