by Pat
When using stabilizers for your embroidery:
- buy the roll
- hoop your stabilizer without cutting
- cut the stabilizer close to the hoop
This method saves several inches each time you hoop!
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I don’t cut the stabilizer from the roll because the embroidery does not go to the edge of the hoop. Therefore, by not cutting the stabilizer, but leaving it attached to the roll, you can then trim off the area of used stabilizer and use the area where it was hooped, but not needed again for the next embroidery project. Thus, you have now saved even more.
I buy bulk from Wal-Mart and while it comes like a bolt of cloth I cut the “heighth” evenly with my hoop and don’t cut the excess “width.” This way I only lose about 1.”
You can save even more stabilizer by not cutting it until you’re done embroidering. Then cut it right next to the design. This will save all of the stabilizer between the design and the hoop.
Great idea. I always use too much around the hoop. Thanks.
* A word from our stabilizer guru:
It’s better to cut from inexpensive hardboard** squares/rectangles of exactly the right FABRIC sizes to fit each hoop size you use. Then using these as cutting guides, use a rotary cutter to cut several stabilizer blanks for each hoop size. Keep them all in a folder ready until needed.
There is virtually no waste with this procedure, blanks are fast and accurate to cut. Of course pulling an exact sized blank from a folder is a lot less disruptive than horsing aroung a roll of stabilizer, a hoop, and scissors.
If you are a quilter, cut other hardboard templates (of various widths, including seam allowances) for the long quilt strips you often need. They save much time, agony and material, by insuring exact width and parallel sides.
** like 1/8″ thick Masonite available in 4′x4′ squares at any lumber store. Any friend with a table saw can cut these to your desired sizes in minutes.
Fred
now why didn’t I think of that?
smart! why didn’t I think of that.
Hi! This is another take on the idea of saving stabilizer. I cut a piece as close as I could and then used it as a pattern to cut several at one time. I made one “pattern” for the small hoop and one for the larger hoop, clipping each group together. It’s nice to always have one ready!
Thanks for all the lovely designs!
Great suggestion, Pat. I carry it one step further when using a short 9″ roll of Super Solvey. I leave the roll attached while stitching (on my 6 needle machine) and save another inch or so.
I never thought of hooping stabilizer on the roll, but it makes so much sense! It’s how I will do it from now on. Thanks!
If I do not have a roll that is the correct width of my hoop, I cut a long piece from my large piece of stabilizer. It works the same way. Also, before I start whichever end of the frame you have left the excess stabilizer, move your design to the opposite end of the hoop. This way all the waste stabilizer inside the frame is at the same end. take off hoop when done, cut close to your design and hoop the next project.
Happy Stitching.
Lynn
what a brilliant idea will try next time i get loose with my embriodery machine Keep the ideas coming
Save even more:
3. embroider with roll beside or behind the machine (give it a little space);
4. cut the stabilizer close to the embroidery after finished.
Use left over pieces when you need extra stabilizer by laying a peace under the hoop while embroidering.
now that is using the noodle !!
Great tip! It works well. I can’t believe I never thought of it before!
Thank you.
Great ideas. I usually cut mine so small it hardly fits in order to save. This is fantastic news.
Comment by Linda — August 15, 2010 What type of bulk stabilizer do you buy at Wal-Mart that will work for embroidery? Name it is sold under. Thank you.
great information
I will definitely do this from now on! I read some where that you can patch the sulky with pieces you have left over and it works really well. I use my large hoop to embroidery names and can usually fit three names but I don’t make them at the same time so when I have made one I use left over pieces and patch the hole from the embroidery. This way I can sometimes embroider as many as 6 names instead of 3. I leave the sulky in the hoop until I can’t patch it any more then I use the left over sulky in my smaller hoops. This way I use all the pieces I get left.
It seems like having the roll laying there would put drag on your hoop and pul it out of line does it not? Because it wouldn’t move around when your embroidery arm moves.
Blessings