Date:08/11/2010 ID:faqh000309_000




Title:
 Fabric/stabilizer compatibility chart

Description:

Fabric/

Garment

No. of Backing Pieces

No. of Topping Pieces

Comments

Terry cloth

1 tear-away

1 water-soluble

Increase density and/or satin stitch width.Fine details and small lettering tend to get caught in the terry loops.

Satin jacket

Heavy lining:

None

Light or no lining:

1 tear-away

None

If garment slips in frame, causing alignment problems, wrap inner frame with masking tape or fabric bias tape.

This provides a rough surface to grip garment and also helps minimize frame burn.

Cotton sheeting

1 tear-away

None

High-density or highly detailed designs may require more backing. If so, use two pieces of lightweight backing  instead of one piece of heavy backing.

Denim

1 tear-away

None

Reduce speed if needle begins to heat up and the thread breaks.

Headwear

Optional

Optional

Change needles more often than usual because the buckram backing dulls needles faster. A  lightweight tear-away  backing helps reduce thread breaks and  regulates thread tension. Use a topping on corduroy or foam cap fronts.

Dress shirt

 (woven)

1 tear-away

None

High-density or highly  detailed designs may  require more backing.If so, use two pieces of  lightweight backing  instead of one piece of heavy backing.

Golf shirt

1 cut-away

Optional

Use topping for designs containing small lettering or a lot of detail, and also for pique knits.

Canton fleece

1 tear-away

Optional

Use a topping if the  garment has a textured  surface, such as a  basketweave or pronounced twill.

Canvas

1 tear-away

None

Frame tightly

Corduroy

1 tear-away

1 water-soluble

A higher stitch density or  more understitches, as well as a topping, may be  necessary to prevent stitches from sinking into the fabric.

Lingerie or silk

1 or 2 lightweight tear-away

Optional

Reduce sewing speed.

The thread tension should be low. Use topping for designs  with high detail or small lettering.For very fine fabrics, use a thinner thread. Avoid extremely narrow satin stitching on letters or details; instead increase satin stitch width or use a bean stitch. Gently remove (don't pull) backing and topping from garment.

Sweater knit

1 cut-away or adhesive tea-away

1 water-soluble

Use tightly woven organza or curtain fabric in a matching color as a backing for bulky or "holey" knits.

Sweatshirt

1 cut-away or adhesive tear-away

Optional

Highly detailed designs  may require two layers of lightweight cut-away  stabilizer. Use a topping on extra-thick fabrics or with fine-detail designs

T-shirt

1 light-weight cutaway or adhesive tear-away

Optional

Use a topping on designs with fine detail or small lettering. Tensions should be light.

Avoid stitch-heavy designs.


 

Note

Due to the wide variety of fabrics and stabilizers available, the above information should be used as guideline only.
If unsure of a particular fabric/ stabilizer combination, please sew test a sample prior to the finished garment.