Have a problem keeping your stabilizer and fabric together when hooping? These tips will help!
Not long ago, we asked what you would like to know about machine embroidery. One of the comments expressed frustration when hooping. It’s difficult to keep the fabric and stabilizer from shifting around while you are trying to hoop them. Nobody has enough hands but here are a couple of things you can try.
Spray Adhesives
With quilting and in-the-hoop (ITH) projects, temporary spray adhesives like Odif 505 or Sulky KK 2000 are particularly useful when you want to hold fabric, stabilizer, and batting in place. That makes them a helpful tool to keep your fabric and stabilizer together when hooping, too.
Spray the back of your fabric, or the front of the stabilizer, with temporary adhesive and press the two pieces together, smoothing out any wrinkles. They are much easier to hoop as one piece than separately. Place items that you need to spray on a piece of paper, plastic, or in a box. Avoid spraying near your machine and spraying in the hoop, which makes for sticky hoops.
Adhesive and Fusible Stabilizers
A quick Google search finds machine embroidery stabilizers with adhesive properties. A protective paper backing peels away to expose adhesive, allowing you to apply it to the back of your fabric. You can even find water-soluble adhesives if the need should arise.
Ranging from mesh to tearaway and cutaway, other machine embroidery stabilizers can be fused to the fabric with an iron. Choose the correct stabilizer according to your design and project.
Adhesive stabilizers should not be mistaken for interfacing. Stabilizers support the stitching while interfacing supports the fabric. Interfacing is not a substitute for stabilizer. (Note: Avoid using adhesive type stabilizers with towels as they can pull on the tiny loops causing snags. It's best to follow these tips for embroidering on towels here.)
Hooping Mat
While a hooping mat won’t keep your fabric and stabilizer from slipping, it is almost like another hand. It keeps the hoop from sliding around so that it is easier to hoop your stabilizer and fabric sandwich.
What tips do you have for keeping your stabilizer and fabric together while hooping?
Debbie Henry
Sew Inspired by Bonnie
Debbie Henry - November 14, 2022
I’ve never tried Bonash or Quilter’s Select, Glenda. Will have to put them on my “products to try” list!
Glenda marsh - November 08, 2022
I love my hoop mat. Definitely keep d hoop in place & easier to line up fabric straight. I like Bonash or Quilters Select fusing powder instead of the sprays