🧵 Stabilizer Selection Tool
Find the perfect stabilizer for your embroidery project
🧠 Quick Fabric Guide
🧶 Knit Fabrics
How to identify: Stretches in multiple directions, made of looped yarns (like t-shirts, sweaters, yoga pants)
Stabilizer needed: Cut-away (stays permanent) because knits stretch but embroidery doesn't
🧵 Woven Fabrics
How to identify: Limited stretch, made of crisscrossed threads (like canvas, denim, dress shirts)
Stabilizer needed: Tear-away (removable) because wovens are naturally stable
🔷 Non-Woven Materials
Examples: Leather, vinyl, felt - treat like wovens since they're usually stable
Recommended Stabilizer
Design Recommendations
Needle Type & Size
⚖️ Design Density & Weight Guidelines
Light Density Design
Large, spread-out designs with lots of open space (like airy florals) → Light-to-medium stabilizer
High Density Design
Concentrated designs with layered fills and satin stitches → Medium-to-heavy stabilizer
💡 Pro Tips
Needle Choice: Size 11 sharp needles give the crispest stitches. For tear-away or water-soluble stabilizers, always use sharp needles to prevent tearing. Heavier fabrics may need 14/90 or 16/100 needles.
Topping Stabilizers: Use on textured fabrics (towels, fleece, corduroy, velvet) to prevent stitches from sinking into the fabric texture. Remove after embroidery.
Multiple Sources: Different manufacturers may recommend slightly different approaches. Always test first on your specific fabric/thread combination.
Can't find your fabric? Try selecting the closest similar fabric type for guidance.