**NOTE: Because this information is so valuable for machine embroiderers, we are updating and republishing our Stabilizer Hoop-la series (originally posted last spring). Look for a new post every day this week and share with your stitching enthusiast friends!**
It's Tear-Away Tuesday, so let's celebrate the remarkable role Tear-Away plays in the lives of every machine embroidery enthusiast! But before we start "rippin' it up" (pun intended) with the Tear-Away talk, let's briefly recap why stabilizer in general is so very, very important.
Stabilizer is a woven or non-woven material, often hooped behind fabric, that provides support and prevents moving, stretching, and distortion during machine embroidery. You see, fabric is pulled and pushed every which way during the embroidery process, with fibers continually shifting to make room for the stitches. Without the right stabilizer reinforcing the fabric and creating a solid foundation, your embroidery will have gaps and puckering and all kinds of problems. (And who wants that? NO ONE.)
For example, use Tear-Away when stitching the Beautiful Blooms Apron from Kimberbell's Over-the-Edge Applique: Spring & Summer Celebration!
Tear-Away is wonderful for designs with large, open areas, and trust me--it's a pain to pick Tear-Away out of tiny, intricate spots! But for larger stitched areas like this where you don't want stabilizer to be visible, it's nice to simply tear the excess stabilizer away.
Tip: ALL Kimberbell stabilizers have been thoroughly tested in our Product Development Lab, and each type continually proves to be of the utmost quality with consistently beautiful results on every project!
Tip: The more stitches in the design, the heavier the stabilizer should be!
Tip: The precuts are wonderful for 5x7 hoops!
Are you wondering what Sticky-Back Tear-Away is? Whereas "normal" Tear-Away is a woven material of different weights, Sticky-Back Tear-Away has an adhesive side covered with a protective paper backing. After hooping with the paper side up, simply score the paper with scissors, peel back to expose the adhesive side, and stick those hard-to-hoop projects right on top! Sticky-Back Tear-Away is perfect for tote bags, Zipper Pouch Blanks, collars, napkin corners, and so much more.
If you’re wondering if unlabelled stabilizer is Tear-Away or Cut-Away (they can look alike at first glance), then go ahead and tear a little corner and if it rips easily, it’s Tear-Away. Our premium Kimberbell Tear-Away is made with a non-directional process, meaning the stabilizer is uniformly strong and will tear evenly in multiple directions. As there's no grain, it doesn't matter which way you cut or hoop Kimberbell Tear-Away.
When removing Tear-Away, use one hand to support the stitches as you tear the stabilizer away with the other hand (one layer at a time). While doing this, it's easiest to place your project, stabilizer side up, on a flat surface. As mentioned above, it can be difficult to remove Tear-Away from tight places, so you might consider leaving the stabilizer in place. (Tear-Away should eventually disintegrate with repeated washings.) From Kimberbell's Candy Corn Quilt Shoppe feature quilt to our Lucky Us Pillow and more, Tear-Away is an important part of machine embroidery. We can't wait for you to experience the difference with Kimberbell's premium Tear-Away! Find these products, Stabilizer Slap Bands, and more at your favorite quilt shop.
Tip: Remember that Kimberbell Tear-Away is labeled in shades of RED in your Kimberbell project instructions! With our color-coded system, shopping for stabilizer has never been easier.
