Best Stabilizer for Embroidery: Reviews 2021 (Recommended!)

What we know as “stabilizers” and what we know as “stabilizers for embroidery” are two very different things. When we are looking for the best stabilizer for embroidery, we are actually looking for some kind of backing to put under your fabric while embroidering. 

A piece of “stabilizer” for embroidery is nothing more than a piece of fabric that is used under the fabric you are embroidering on, to keep the fabric overhead from puckering, crinkling or stretching.

Exactly how you choose the right stabilizer is actually very important, if not very common knowledge, for your embroidery. In fact, the right stabilizer for embroidery can make or break your design. 

It may sound unbelievable, but it is extremely important that you find the right stabilizer for your embroidery projects. Before that, of course, it is important that you know everything there is to know about stabilizers. 

Top 10 Best Hand Stabilizers for Embroidery

Here are the 10 best stabilizers that you can get for your embroidery projects available in the market at the moment. 

1. New Brothread Tear Away Machine Embroidery

This is a 50-yard roll of embroidery stabilizer that’s 12” in breadth, made from natural fibers. Manufactured from 100% polyester that is free from acid and lead, this is actually a temporary stabilizer. They work best on fabrics that are firmly woven and natural, thicker fabrics and soft fabrics. 

The New Brothread stabilizer for embroidery is a tear-away roll; this means that you can simply tear the paper away from the fabric after you’ve done the embroidery.

Although the paper is sturdy enough to hold detailed embroidery, they can be easily teared away when you are done.  Even if you decide to keep the polyester piece of stabilizer under the clothes, they are soft and comfortable against the skin. 

With a 12” breadth, this tear away stabilizer fits most embroidery hoops, but can be easily cut into any shape or size needed. This stabilizer has a medium weight of 1.8 ounce, perfect for all kinds of light to medium stitching density. If your designs are more denser than normal, you can always use double layers. 

Features:

• Made from 100% polyester 
• 50 yards long 
• 12” in breadth
• Best used on natural, thicker and softer fabrics 
• Fits most embroidery hoops perfectly 
• Skin friendly materials soft and comfortable against the skin 
• Medium weight of 1.8 oz 
• Can be teared-away after embroidery is finished 

2. HBI H.B.I. Tear Away Embroidery Stabilizer

This is another tear away embroidery stabilizer that comes in a roll of 50-yards, with a 12” breadth. This stabilizer can be torn away easily when you are done with the embroidering, and adds great stability to your fabric, Even when your embroidery designs are thick and detailed, this stabilizer can handle them. 

This is a medium weight stabilizer at 1.8 ounces or 30 grams, which is perfect for heavy and detailed embroidery designs 

Features:

• Easy to tear away stabilizer for embroidery 
• 50 yards long 
• 12” in breadth 
• Medium weight at 1.8 ounces 
• Perfect for heavy and detailed embroidery designs 
• Adds stability to any fabric for embroidering 
• Fits most embroidery hoops 

3. Super Punch Wash Away Water Soluble Stabilizer

For added convenience, this is an embroidery stabilizer that will simply wash away. This stabilizer comes in a roll of 10 yards, which is also 9” in breadth. The rolls come in a minimum of 9” in breadth, but it could be up to 9.75” in size, depending on the particular product.

Although relatively smaller, this embroidery stabilizer has a thickness of 20 microns – which is perfect for most types of embroidery designs. 

The stabilizer doesn’t need to be torn away after you’re done with the embroidery. Rather, the stabilizer dissolves in water when it’s washed after the embroidery is completed. Even if you don’t want to wash the clothes, spraying some water on the stabilizer can also help it to dissolve and wash away from the fabric. 

This stabilizer can be used on all types of clothes and fabrics, from cotton and burlap to high-profile sensitive fabrics, 

Features:

• Washes away with water; doesn’t requiring tearing 
• Comes in rolls of 10 yards 
• Minimum 9” in breadth 
• Thickness of 20 microns 
• Works perfectly on most fabrics, i.e. cotton, fleece, burlap, canvas, etc. 
• Can be used both over and under fabrics while embroidering 
• Also comes in 25-yard rolls 

4. New Brothread Cut-Away Permanent Machine Embroidery

Instead of rolls, these embroidery stabilizers are available in the form of individual sheets. Each set comes with 100 sheets, each 8” x 8” in size. Moreover, this is a permanent embroidery stabilizer that can neither be torn away nor washed away.

The stabilizer will stay attached to the fabric even after the embroidery has been completed. This is why this type of stabilizers are only used under the fabrics, in projects where the stabilizer will not be uncomfortable against the skin. 

This kind of stabilizer is used in projects where the fabric needs stability and structure, even after completing the embroidery. The cut-away permanent embroidery stabilizer from New Brothread works best with fleece, knits and denims, and also for fabrics that are unstable and prone to distortion.

It is also perfect for working with embroidery hoops, thread stretching, appliques, decorative stitch sewings and lace embroideries. Because these stabilizers are so sturdy, they can be used with uncommon fabrics that need a lot of backing and support. 

Although they come in 8” x 8” square sheets, these permanent stabilizers can be cut into any shape or size needed. They can fit perfectly in embroidery hoops to be used as a backup for your embroidery patterns.

The stabilizer sheets themselves are of medium weight, i.e. 2.05 oz or 70 grams, which are perfect for light or medium stitching density. If your designs are detailed and heavy, you can use two or more layers of the stabilizers. 

Features:

• Permanent stabilizers that can’t be torn away or washed out 
• Comes in individual sheets 
• Each set contains 100 sheets 
• Each sheet is 8” x 8” in size 
• Remains attached to the fabric permanently after embroidery is done 
• Can be cut into any shape or size needed 
• Mostly used under fabrics as backup 
• Works best with fleece, knits and denims 
• Works with any unstable fabrics that become distorted
• Medium weight, i.e. 2.05 oz or 70 grams
• Perfect for light or medium stitching density
• Multiple layers can be used for detailed embroideries 
• Perfect for working with embroidery hoops, thread stretching, appliques, decorative stitch sewings and lace embroideries

5. HBI H.B.I. Cut Away Stabilizers for Machine Embroidery

This is a roll of cut-away embroidery stabilizer that comes in a roll of 50 yards, with a breadth of 12” in every roll. The stabilizer fabrics themselves are of medium weight, i.e. 2.50 ounce, which means they are perfect for light to medium stitching density. For the price, it’s a great value product that you can use for months, even when used regularly. 

After the embroidery is complete, the stabilizers need to be cut away from the fabric, as they are too hard to tear away or wash away. These embroidery stabilizers add stability and stiffness to fabrics, especially the ones that are light or have a tendency to become distorted and wrinkled. 

Features:

• Sturdy stabilizer that needs to be cut away 
• Great value for price 
• Comes in a roll that is 50 yards long 
• 12” in breadth 
• Medium weight of 2.50 oz 
• Perfect for light to medium stitching density
• Adds stability and stiffness to fabrics

6. JJ CARE Tear Away Embroidery Stabilizer Sheets

While most people use rolls of the best embroidery stabilizers, there are some situations where you require sheets of stabilizers. These stabilizers from JJ CARE come in a set of 240 sets, all of which are 8” x 8” in size. The sheets are all made of 100% polyester and they are perfect for most types of fabrics. 

These best stabilizer for t-shirt hand embroidery are made of strong materials that can be easily torn away when the embroidery is done. They can also be used as backing under the embroidery patterns if you are using very light or flimsy fabrics.

Since the stabilizers are made from polyester, they are safe and comfortable against the skin, which means you can even leave them under the fabrics after you are done with the embroidery.

The sheets contain no formaldehyde or anything else toxic, so it’s completely safe for both adults and children and will cause no irritation or itchiness. In fact, these stabilizer sheets will keep the bare skin protected from the back of the embroidery patterns. 

The 8” x 8” stabilizer sheets are a perfect fit for a number of embroidery hoops, mostly 6” x 6” and 4” x 4” hoops. Of course, there are other sizes of stabilizers available from the same brand, as well as in forms of 10” x 50-yard rolls.

These stabilizers work best with fabrics that are thick and soft, but they also work with all natural fibers. Besides attaching them to hoops, these embroidery stabilizers can also be used with decorative stitching, computerized lace projects, as well as also as interfacing for applique designs. 

Features:

• Made from 100% polyester 
• Comes in sheets that are 8” x 8” in size 
• Comes in sets of 240 pre-cut sheets 
• Perfect to fit into 4”x4” or 6” x 6” embroidery hoops 
• Works best with soft, thick and natural fibers
• Can be easily torn away from the patterns after embroidery is finished 
• Safe and comfortable against the skin 
• Non-toxic and contain no formaldehyde 
• Can be used as a non-itchy backup under embroidery patterns 
• Perfect for decorative stitching, computerized lace projects and for interfacing for applique designs. 

7. World Weidner Melt-Away Heat Dissolving Stabilizer

This roll of temporary embroidery stabilizer comes in a 10-yard roll, with a breadth of 8”. With this stabilizer, you neither have to tear away the extra piece of fabric under the embroidery, nor cut them off or wash them off. Rather, the extra bits of embroidery stabilizer will melt off when a regular household iron is used on it. 

This can be the perfect stabilizer to use on fabrics that can neither be wetted extensively, or when tearing away the stabilizer might cause distortion in the fabric. 

Features:

• Comes in rolls 10 yards long 
• 8” in breadth 
• Stabilizer melts off and dissolves under a household heat 
• No need to tear away, wash away or cut off stabilizer from fabric 
• Works especially well with fabrics that can’t be washed directly 
• Temporary stabilizer that melts away after project is completed 

8. OESD HeavyWeight 2.5oz. Cut Away Stabilizer

When you want something strong, but at the same time soft – this is the stabilizer you need to think about. This heavyweight embroidery stabilizer from OESD comes in a 10-yard roll, with a breadth of 15”.

It can be used on most fabrics, including knit clothes and stretchable fabrics but also regular soft and wearable fabrics like challis, rayon and cotton.  

If you are doing embroidery on sweatshirt fleece, heavy knits or denim – you can use this embroidery stabilizer on them, as well. 

Features:

• Heavyweight stabilizer for all kinds of fabrics 
• Comes in rolls that are 15” wide 
• 10 yards long 
• Can be used with denim, cotton, sweatshirt fleece, heavy knits, rayons and challis
• Can be used on both soft and stretchable fabrics 
• Multiple layers can be used for heavy patterns 

9. Sulky of America Cut-Away Soft and Sheer Stabilizer 

Completely worth the affordable price, these embroidery stabilizers are available in packs of one, two, three and five. These stabilizers come with excellent stretch resistance and is a permanent stabilizer that won’t come off the fabric. 

You won’t be able to cut off, tear away, melt off or wash away these fabrics after you are done with the embroidery. The stabilizer will stay under the fabric permanently; therefore, it is important that the stabilizers are placed on the inside of the clothing. 

The Sulky of America soft and sheer stabilizer can be used on both textured and non-woven nylons, as well as ultra-soft fabrics. Not just for embroidering on regular fabrics, you can use these stabilizers on appliques, for making monograms on lightweight fabrics, and for computerized embroidery machines. 

Features:

• Comes in sets of one, two, three and five stabilizers 
• 11 yards long 
• 8” in breadth 
• Sheer and light fabric that’s also sturdy 
• Permanent stabilizers  
• Edges needs to be cut away 
• Cannot be torn off, melted away or washed off 
• Can be used on both textured and non-woven nylons
• Great for appliques, monograms on lightweight fabrics and computerized embroidery machines

10. No Show Mesh Machine Embroidery Stabilizers 

This is not just a roll of embroidery stabilizer, but a complete set of what you are going to need for the entire process. This set comes with a roll of black embroidery stabilizer, a pair of scissors to cut the fabric and a pen. Both these tools are extremely important when it comes to working with embroidery stabilizers. 

This stabilizer is made from 100% nylon spun polymesh, which is both safe and comfortable against the skin. This material is a non-toxic one, which means you can simply leave the stabilizer with the fabric after you are done with the embroidery.

The stabilizer doesn’t contain anything that might irritate the skin or cause irritation. In fact, the stabilizer will protect the skin from getting aggravated by the thread left behind by the embroidery. 

These embroidery stabilizers from JJ CARE is black in color and will become completely invisible against the fabric after the patterns have been completed. These stabilizers will give your fabric the protection and stability it needs when embroidering on them.

They work the best with fabrics that are light-colored and soft, especially the ones from natural fibers.If you are working with hoop embroidery, computerized lace projects, fusible interfacing applique, decorative stitching, woven knits or home quilts – you can easily use these stabilizers. 

Features:

• Made from 100% nylon spun polymesh
• 30 yards long and 10” in breadth 
• Black in color 
• Comes with a pair of scissors and a free pen
• Non-toxic material 
• Safe and comfortable against the skin
• Work best with light colored and soft fabrics 
• Works with hoop embroidery, computerized lace projects, fusible interfacing applique, decorative stitching, woven knits, home quilts, etc. 

Things to Consider While Buying Best Embroidery Stabilizer

We don’t really spend a lot of time thinking about embroidery stabilizers, but the truth is: they are extremely important to our embroidery projects. In fact, stabilizers can be absolutely the making or the breaking of good embroidery. 

Therefore, here are the important concepts we need to think about when buying embroidery stabilizers. 

1. Type of Stabilizers

The first and most important question is: what type of embroidery stabilizer are you looking for? Stabilizers are usually categorized based on how they are removed from the fabric after the embroidery is completed. 

Based on the removal system, stabilizers for embroidery are of four types:

• cut-away stabilizers
• tear-away stabilizers
• wash-away stabilizers
• heat-away stabilizers

They are chosen based on the fabric you are using, the type of embroidery pattern you are doing, and the size of the stabilizer.

Cut-away stabilizers, for example, need to be cut away from around the embroidery patterns. These are more used for projects with dense and thick embroidery patterns, and are the most common types used. The New Brothread Cut-Away Permanent Machine Embroidery and the HBI H.B.I. Cut Away Stabilizers for Machine Embroidery are such stabilizers. Cut-Away stabilizers are also permanent stabilizers that stay on the fabric, usually hidden under the embroidery. 

On the other hand, tear-away stabilizers are soft enough that you can simply pull them apart from the fabric after you’ve completed the embroidery. The JJ CARE Tear Away Embroidery Stabilizer Sheets is an example of tear-away stabilizer. 

Some stabilizers don’t need to be torn away or cut away. The wash-away stabilizers simply go away when the fabrics are washed after completing. The Super Punch Wash Away Water Soluble Stabilizer is one such product that comes in a roll of 10 yards and will simply wash away with water. 

However, if you are using a fabric that cannot be washed thoroughly, melt-away stabilizers are used instead. The World Weidner Melt-Away Heat Dissolving Stabilizer, for example, is a melt-away stabilizer that dissolves under heat. Using a household iron can help the stabilizer melt and disappear when ironed. 

2. Type of Fabrics

The fabric you are using in your project is also one of the most important factors when you are choosing a stabilizer. While you are using knitted fabrics, i.e. sweatshirts and sweaters, it is important to choose a stabilizer that’s sturdier and provides more stiffness.

These kinds of clothes tend to slip under the embroidery needle, and need to be more stable. For these fabrics, cut-away stabilizers show a better performance than any other kind of stabilizers. 

For using thinner and lighter fabrics like cotton and T-shirts, tear-away or wash-away stabilizers can be enough. If you are using sheer or see-through fabrics, it is important to use very lightweight stabilizers that are either wash-away or melt-away stabilizers. 

3. Embroidery Design or Patterns

A lot depends on the design or pattern you have chosen for your project, as well. If you are using a comparatively detailed design that is solid and well-filled, it needs a strong and sturdy stabilizer.

A cut-away stabilizer such as OESD HeavyWeight 2.5oz. Cut Away Stabilizer is more suitable for such projects. For such designs, it is also important to choose heavyweight fabrics that can hold the weight of the embroidery, i.e. canvas, denim or duck cloth. These heavyweight fabrics can be paired with a heavy cut-away 

On the other hand, if you are using a very simple and open design with lots of empty spaces, a lightweight tear-away stabilizer would be fine for the project, Even if you are using such an open design on sturdy material like denim or canvas, a simple tear-away stabilizer can do the job. 

For extremely comfortable and lightweight fabrics used in baby blankets or onesies, medium weight cut-away stabilizers like Sulky of America Cut-Away Soft and Sheer Stabilizer can provide the necessary stability but not add to the weight. 

4. Weight of the Stabilizer

If you are using a heavyweight stabilizer, it will add some weight to the fabric after the project has been completed. It is especially if the embroidery pattern is a dense and detailed one, using a heavyweight cut-away stabilizer like the HBI H.B.I. Cut Away Stabilizers for Machine Embroidery will only add to the weight.

Moreover, cut-away stabilizers aren’t fully removed from the fabric after the embroidery is finished; rather, they remain hidden inside the embroidery and add weight to the overall garment. 

If you don’t want to add extra weight to your clothes, it is preferable to use a melt-away stabilizer like World Weidner Melt-Away Heat Dissolving Stabilizer that will dissolve under heat. 

As you can see, a lot of consideration is required to decide on the best stabilizer for hand embroidery. The fabric you are using, the patterns, the weight of the stabilizer, the purpose of the garment – these are all the factors that need to be considered when choosing a stabilizer. Otherwise, the embroidery wouldn’t have the best outcome possible and it can ruin the entire project. 

What is an embroidery stabilizer?

You might have already gathered from all the information above, that an embroidery stabilizer is a piece of fabric that is used as a backup under the main fabric you are using when embroidering. In industrial circles, a stabilizer is also known as a “backing”, as it provides support to the fabric you are embroidering on. 

Although not a very common or popular product, the choice of stabilizer can make a world of difference to your embroidery. It can provide the fabric just the right amount of stability and stiffness the fabric needs for proper embroidery. 

Stabilizers are mainly used to keep the fabric you are embroidering on, as the name suggests, stable. Without the stiff backup of a stabilizer, fabrics can show a tendency to pucker up, get distorted, stretch or bend, or even fold during embroidering. It is especially when you are using a computerized embroidery machine, the fabric needs the sturdy backup of a stabilizer to keep up with the moving needles of the machine. 

Stabilizers are usually made from polyester, nylon or mesh. The choice of fabric  for stabilizers actually depends on a number of factors, especially on the pattern of embroidery used, the fabric used on top for embroidering and the purpose of the project. 

However, the main factors considered when choosing the right embroidery stabilizers happen to be the removal process, i.e. how the stabilizer is going to be removed from the fabric after completing the embroidery. How the stabilizer is removed from the fabric can affect the embroidery a lot, so it is a very important factor to consider. 

Embroidery stabilizers can be divided into four categories based on their removal process, i.e.: 

• Cut-away Stabilizers that need to be cut around the edges of the embroidery pattern;
• Tear-away Stabilizers that can be simply teared away with hand; 
• Melt-away Stabilizers that dissolves under heat, i.e. a household iron; 
• Wash-away Stabilizers that go away when washed. 

Can I Embroider without using a Stabilizer?

It is definitely possible to embroider without a stabilizer, but not recommended. Skipping on the stabilizer will create a lot of problems in the lines and the spacing of the embroidery, and the whole project can turn into a mess. 

If you are using a tight embroidery hoop, it might be possible to embroider simple designs and patterns without puckering up the fabric. However, if you are using a computerized embroidery machine, stabilizers are absolutely crucial if you want your fabric to keep steady under the embroidery needles. 

Fabrics aren’t meant to be embroidered on, especially if you have a heavy and detailed pattern. They are meant to be puckered up when having to go through the needle countless times. Stabilizers are made to keep the fabric stable and strong from the countless attacks of the needle. 

This is why stabilizers are extremely important when embroidering and they can make a great positive difference in your work. 

What can I use Instead of Embroidery Stabilizer?

Embroidery stabilizers are considered to be indispensable when embroidering, but if you suddenly find yourself without some, there are other fabrics that you can use as stabilizers. 

Cotton, fleece, flannel, sweatshirt materials – these fabrics can be used as stabilizers when you don’t have any left. 

Since these fabrics can’t be torn away, melted away or washed away, they need to be cut around the edges. When using these fabrics, it is important to remember that the backing fabrics will stay hidden under the embroidery patterns and add to the weight. However, if there’s no real stabilizer available, it is possible to use other fabrics as stabilizers. 

Conclusion

Although this may be the first time you are learning so much about embroidery stabilizers, they happen to be one of the most important tools in embroidering. It is therefore of utmost importance that you consider the right embroidery stabilizer for our project.