I just tried a new-to-me stabilizer on a beach towel, and it worked wonderfully. Recently, I read about a stabilizer that works great when embroidering towels because it easily tears away after stitching and any remnants eventually wash away without making the toweling stiff. It is called Exquisite Tear ‘n Wash by Dime (no affiliation).
I have Dime’s Piece and Stitch, essentially the same stabilizer except it is 1.5 oz. rather than the Tear ‘n Wash 2 oz. Bonnie explained stabilizer weights here.
Using a Tear-away Wash-away Stabilizer
Start off by pre-washing the towel to take care of any shrinkage. I hooped one layer of Piece and Stitch and positioned the towel on top of the stabilizer using a template and securing it in place with glue stick. Even though the towel was not extra plush, a wash-away topper will keep embroidery on top of the fibers.
Since my stabilizer was lighter weight than the same stabilizer type for towels, I floated another piece of Piece and Stitch under the hoop and secured everything with a basting box.
In addition to securing items in the hoop, basting boxes show you exactly how your embroidery will be oriented. After stitching the basting box, I realized that the towel band should be moved down just a bit.
A snip of the basting stitches and a quick repositioning looks much better.
The font stitched beautifully, in part because it has a thick satin stitch which works well when stitching on napped fabrics.
Tear away the topper.
On the back, both layers of tear-away were removed.
Some glue residue and stabilizer stuck to the back but were easily removed with a wet rag. Any straggly edges of stabilizer will wash away in the laundry.
Bonnie has an excellent tutorial on embroidering her Elegant Embossed Alphabet monogram towels here. They make a classy gift!
Debbie Henry
Sew Inspired by Bonnie
Kaye Fullerton - October 14, 2024
Bonnie this looks awesome. Are you going to carry it in your store or where can it be purchased from? Once again you have been a great mentir