Embroidery Lesson 6 - Stabilizing for QuiltsThe 2nd most frequently asked question we get is: "What type of stabilizer should I use for embroidering quilt blocks?" Although I don't do many quilts, I recently made one for our newest grandbaby. Since our grandkids have always actually used the quilts I make them, I want them to be as sturdy & durable (washable/bleachable) as possible. For this baby I chose a poly/cotton (50-50) blend, pastel color, double wedding ring, and printed fabric for the quilt top. (I don't have a lot of time anymore for piecing!) The centers of this printed design fabric was a perfect palette for adding embroidery designs. I used the Beatrix Potter memory card designs for my Artista 180 as the theme. (For those of you who have this card, you know that these designs are not very dense.) On alternating rows I chose smaller, light /airy floral designs from my Babies & More collection. As stated in Lesson 5, the high poly content of this fabric and the density of the designs, called for medium to light backing. Since the plan for finishing was hand tying, which produces slight puckering, I wanted to mimic the light puckering around the designs (Wanted puckers? No-I'm not crazy!) After accessing what outcome I wanted, I decided to try the new Wonder Solv soluble as the base layer, then added 1 layer of the Perfectly Stable Soft Hand medium tear away. Using 505 spray-very lightly-I affixed the Wonder Solv to the fabric back, then another light application of 505 for the tear away. TIP: Never spray the fabric-only the backing! My theory was when all was finished; the soluble would dissolve from the fabric taking the tear away with it. It worked! I finished all the stitching, then tossed the quilt top into the washer to remove any remaining soluble & 505 adhesive. After pressing the dry top, I pinned a layer of thin cotton batting to the backside of the top & turned it over to where the topside of the fabric was facing up. Next I pinned the coordinating fabric-face side down-to the other layers. Using the scallop formed by the rings of the top fabric pattern as a stitching guide, I stitched all but a turning place. This caught the batting all around that would allow for fewer tying locations. I doubled cotton "twine" (yarn) & tied at the natural points where the rings joined. The results of this effort are a dainty, lightweight blanket that will last for many years & any punishment that this child can put it through!
For those of you who are the real quilters & use 100% cotton fabric (with no shortcuts!),
this same technique of stabilizing should work equally well. You may not get as
much puckering around the designs as the cotton is a softer hand & more forgiving
than the poly/cotton blend that is crisper. If you are stitching a heavier or larger
design, you may need an extra layer of either the WonderSolv or med tear away. Which
one to choose for the added support will depend on the underlayment stitches of
the design and on how well the design is constructed. |