Are you stable? Ins and outs of Stabilizer
Are you stable? Do you know what stabilizer is even for? How heavy do you need it or light, what do you do if you use the wrong one? Is stabilizer also interfacing?
These are questions we will delve into today.
Stabilizer is just that, in sewing we sometimes need something to help the fabric stretch a little without losing the shape of the fabric, or we need it while we use our machine to stitch heavily and make it a bit more stiff while we work the process. Embroidery, applique (machine and hand), art work pieces. These are few things you can use stabilizer for.
Interfacing is used on the wrong side of fabric, it too is used to stiffen or add body to fabric, often times found in shirt collars, lapels, or parts of a garment which needs added volume to the fabric to keep it in place and the shape it was made to be.
How do we know what to use and when. Easy. What you are you making will decide for you.
There are sew many choices - and names I can not possibley list them all here, nor do I wish to list brand names here. So we will go with the basics of both stabilizer and interfacing: 1. Sew in - no heat needed interfacing lighter than your garment fabric, but stronger in weave used in cuffs, collars, button holes etc., 2. Heat held - you can use an iron to adhere to your fabric - are available he many weights, the package will give you the best idea on which one to use. I won't go much further here since interfacing is not a commonly used product in quilting unless you have a need for it on your individual blocks and their design elements.
Stabilizer comes in many weights in the heat held type. From so light its like tissue paper to heavy sew much sew it is like a second layer of fabric. May use higher temps to adhere. 1. Tear away - Is just that commonly used in embroidery applications it too comes in many weights, depending on the project you will need to do a little bit of research on these. Threads Magazine has a great article on this and very informative as well: http://www.threadsmagazine.com/2008/11/03/making-sense-of-stabilizers. 2. Heat away - this is a new concept for me in which your iron helps to remove the stabilizer after you have completed your project, then we have 3. Wash away - which the name infers it washes out in the wash. and Finally 4. cut a way a little more time consuming but useful in appliques for sure!
Now, lets break the most used down into usable information for us quilty types.
I am very familiar with the heat held stabilizers used in appliques, since we do use appliques in many of our quilts as a block or border and complete designs. This stuff is the bomb, since I have done raw edge applique for years, and just can not do it any longer due to arthritis in my hands. I was disappointed I could not add the great embellishments in my quilts any longer, all those little stitches holding on those beautiful pieces was no more for me, UNTIL I discovered stabilizer for applique.
JOY! I can do it again.
Note: It is a good idea to have an iron dedicated to iron on stabilizer! It can leave some ick on the plate of your iron which is difficult to remove AND if you forget to check your plate while beginning to iron your project you can have a ruined project real quick. We will touch on this more later.
First step! Read the package of any stabilizer you wish to use! It is imperative to use the correct weight and product if you want a good result!
But aren't they all the same? NOPE! No, nada! Learned the hard way. The weights on the package give you a good idea of use, but also on the package it will give you uses. For instance I bought a package on sale - YiPpEeeeee! WRONG! It was heavy weight sew much sew, when I applied it, the fabric was a board! Yes a flippin' board! Stood straight up on end. Probably could serve pizza on it without issues. Sew here is the real issue - I applied it to the whole piece of fabric! WASTED! Tried to take a step out was nothing but a mess for me. I found out you need to test, test and test! Had I thought about it, I could have used it for wall art I am sure. Sew here is the jist here. READ the PACKAGE!
Second Get your iron the right temp! Too hot (MESS) Scorch, Smell all equal START OVER! So check your temp on scraps first. Yep lesson learned here too! Too hot melts, scorches and burns! MESSY MESSSY MESSSSSSSY! Then too cool of a temp, well I stood there forEVER waiting for it to 'stick', again test a scrap since irons vary in temps it is important to test the temp. Use a pressing cloth! (a piece of scarp fabric is fine).
Lastly, do small batches until you are sure you have the right one for the right project and all will go well.
How do you buy this amazing wonderful stuff? By the packages either full bolts of it up to 100 yards at a time, or in smaller manageable amounts. Price varies, coupons are the bomb, and buy various weights so you have them for when you need them. Just keep them labeled or in the original packs. Too, you can place in a zip lock and put the packaging in with it to keep it from moisture or heat exposure. Store it flat or in the original form. DO NOT roll it up tight, or you will fight with it trying to get it to lay flat!
Sew you have it on your project, now what?
Stabilizer makes the cutting out sew much easier. Especially if you are using a die to cut your pieces. LEAVE the paper on it while cutting it, or you will have issues with them sticking together in the die. Keep your pieces together, and organize them while you work.
Stabilizer which is not heat held well I don't use it except with my embroidery machine so I won't go into that much, other than it is necessary to get a good stitch out. Tear away and and cut away are two good choices here, and again read the package for what type and weight you will need.
Back to heat held now.
Okay so we cut our shapes, we have placed them on to the fabric being used, and we have heated them into place (remove the paper for this). Now what? Do you hand stitch them, machine or both? Yes both you can add embellishments by hand following machine stitching.
Here are some ideas on how to Finish your edges.
Finally - The iron plate. Poor thing is burning up ! But, the heat is imperative in heat held stabilizer, as it is also to remove those pesky wrinkles. When applying stabilizer turn off your steam feature! Check the plate for residue, it will turn brown and come off on other projects if you do not remove it properly. Salt can help, or those little tubes of iron cleaner (chemical based) but easy to use. And then well no... we won't go there scraping it off! NEVER, you will pit your iron plate and it will be a bear to use that iron again. Best to have a cheap iron dedicated to stabilizers.
Just a few basics here, with so much more to learn about it. The first thing is to learn what you need for the project you are completing. Again READ the package or ask someone else. https://www.facebook.com/groups/quiltingimperfectly/ QPI members are sew helpful and ready with tried and true answers. And you are able to purchase this wonderful stuff on our sales site at https://sewnsewhome.com Use coupon code FALL15 (all one word) at checkout to save 15%. Subscribe to our email list for specials and more offers as well as subscribe to my blog.
Remember a quilt unfinished is a quilt waiting to love.
Hope this gives you a bit of insight, and inspires you to try something new in your quilting journey. Enjoy and create with love, passion and hope...
These are questions we will delve into today.
Stabilizer is just that, in sewing we sometimes need something to help the fabric stretch a little without losing the shape of the fabric, or we need it while we use our machine to stitch heavily and make it a bit more stiff while we work the process. Embroidery, applique (machine and hand), art work pieces. These are few things you can use stabilizer for.
Interfacing is used on the wrong side of fabric, it too is used to stiffen or add body to fabric, often times found in shirt collars, lapels, or parts of a garment which needs added volume to the fabric to keep it in place and the shape it was made to be.
How do we know what to use and when. Easy. What you are you making will decide for you.
There are sew many choices - and names I can not possibley list them all here, nor do I wish to list brand names here. So we will go with the basics of both stabilizer and interfacing: 1. Sew in - no heat needed interfacing lighter than your garment fabric, but stronger in weave used in cuffs, collars, button holes etc., 2. Heat held - you can use an iron to adhere to your fabric - are available he many weights, the package will give you the best idea on which one to use. I won't go much further here since interfacing is not a commonly used product in quilting unless you have a need for it on your individual blocks and their design elements.
Stabilizer comes in many weights in the heat held type. From so light its like tissue paper to heavy sew much sew it is like a second layer of fabric. May use higher temps to adhere. 1. Tear away - Is just that commonly used in embroidery applications it too comes in many weights, depending on the project you will need to do a little bit of research on these. Threads Magazine has a great article on this and very informative as well: http://www.threadsmagazine.com/2008/11/03/making-sense-of-stabilizers. 2. Heat away - this is a new concept for me in which your iron helps to remove the stabilizer after you have completed your project, then we have 3. Wash away - which the name infers it washes out in the wash. and Finally 4. cut a way a little more time consuming but useful in appliques for sure!
Now, lets break the most used down into usable information for us quilty types.
I am very familiar with the heat held stabilizers used in appliques, since we do use appliques in many of our quilts as a block or border and complete designs. This stuff is the bomb, since I have done raw edge applique for years, and just can not do it any longer due to arthritis in my hands. I was disappointed I could not add the great embellishments in my quilts any longer, all those little stitches holding on those beautiful pieces was no more for me, UNTIL I discovered stabilizer for applique.
JOY! I can do it again.
Note: It is a good idea to have an iron dedicated to iron on stabilizer! It can leave some ick on the plate of your iron which is difficult to remove AND if you forget to check your plate while beginning to iron your project you can have a ruined project real quick. We will touch on this more later.
First step! Read the package of any stabilizer you wish to use! It is imperative to use the correct weight and product if you want a good result!
But aren't they all the same? NOPE! No, nada! Learned the hard way. The weights on the package give you a good idea of use, but also on the package it will give you uses. For instance I bought a package on sale - YiPpEeeeee! WRONG! It was heavy weight sew much sew, when I applied it, the fabric was a board! Yes a flippin' board! Stood straight up on end. Probably could serve pizza on it without issues. Sew here is the real issue - I applied it to the whole piece of fabric! WASTED! Tried to take a step out was nothing but a mess for me. I found out you need to test, test and test! Had I thought about it, I could have used it for wall art I am sure. Sew here is the jist here. READ the PACKAGE!
Second Get your iron the right temp! Too hot (MESS) Scorch, Smell all equal START OVER! So check your temp on scraps first. Yep lesson learned here too! Too hot melts, scorches and burns! MESSY MESSSY MESSSSSSSY! Then too cool of a temp, well I stood there forEVER waiting for it to 'stick', again test a scrap since irons vary in temps it is important to test the temp. Use a pressing cloth! (a piece of scarp fabric is fine).
Lastly, do small batches until you are sure you have the right one for the right project and all will go well.
How do you buy this amazing wonderful stuff? By the packages either full bolts of it up to 100 yards at a time, or in smaller manageable amounts. Price varies, coupons are the bomb, and buy various weights so you have them for when you need them. Just keep them labeled or in the original packs. Too, you can place in a zip lock and put the packaging in with it to keep it from moisture or heat exposure. Store it flat or in the original form. DO NOT roll it up tight, or you will fight with it trying to get it to lay flat!
Sew you have it on your project, now what?
Stabilizer makes the cutting out sew much easier. Especially if you are using a die to cut your pieces. LEAVE the paper on it while cutting it, or you will have issues with them sticking together in the die. Keep your pieces together, and organize them while you work.
Stabilizer which is not heat held well I don't use it except with my embroidery machine so I won't go into that much, other than it is necessary to get a good stitch out. Tear away and and cut away are two good choices here, and again read the package for what type and weight you will need.
Back to heat held now.
Okay so we cut our shapes, we have placed them on to the fabric being used, and we have heated them into place (remove the paper for this). Now what? Do you hand stitch them, machine or both? Yes both you can add embellishments by hand following machine stitching.
Here are some ideas on how to Finish your edges.
- Decorative machine stitching - often zig zag or satin. But you can use any stitch you like your machine has available.
- Hand stitching with blanket stitches in any size - thread choices really set off your design.
- Raw edges if you are not intending to use the item and machine wash.
- Paint - fabric pain around the edges can add dimension and contrast.
- Embellishments - anything you choose. Glue on or stitched. Can be amazing in wall hangings.
Finally - The iron plate. Poor thing is burning up ! But, the heat is imperative in heat held stabilizer, as it is also to remove those pesky wrinkles. When applying stabilizer turn off your steam feature! Check the plate for residue, it will turn brown and come off on other projects if you do not remove it properly. Salt can help, or those little tubes of iron cleaner (chemical based) but easy to use. And then well no... we won't go there scraping it off! NEVER, you will pit your iron plate and it will be a bear to use that iron again. Best to have a cheap iron dedicated to stabilizers.
Just a few basics here, with so much more to learn about it. The first thing is to learn what you need for the project you are completing. Again READ the package or ask someone else. https://www.facebook.com/groups/quiltingimperfectly/ QPI members are sew helpful and ready with tried and true answers. And you are able to purchase this wonderful stuff on our sales site at https://sewnsewhome.com Use coupon code FALL15 (all one word) at checkout to save 15%. Subscribe to our email list for specials and more offers as well as subscribe to my blog.
Remember a quilt unfinished is a quilt waiting to love.
Hope this gives you a bit of insight, and inspires you to try something new in your quilting journey. Enjoy and create with love, passion and hope...
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