by S.M. Timmiss
I save all my cut-away stabilizer scraps until I have enough to cut into strips, then I join the strips together with a large zig-zag stitch.
The end result provides a large enough piece of cut-away stabilizer to work with for making new projects, and I’ve found it has no adverse effect on the resultant embroidery.
WOW, this is a GREAT idea! I love it, because you usually have a lot left over after projects, when I use my largest hoop I save the scraps for projects on the smaller hoops, but never thought of doing this! Do you think it would work well if you used the water soluable thread to zig zag it together?
I too save my tear away but i use mine to help stabilise fine fabrics whilst making a fine rolled hem, it stops the fabric from being pulled into the machine and helps me stay on course. I used to use paper before i started embroidering. The biggest sheets of waste I just reuse when using the smaller hoops designs.
Do you overlap the pieces, as I tried this, and it seems to be kind of lumpy? Or do you butt the edges together and then zig zag it? Also do you do the same with the tearaway stabilizer? Thanks!
I always use iron on stabilizer on my t-shirts and other projects as I find that this works best.As I always have end strips left over; I use these again by just overlapping the pieces after I have cut them down to straighten them off and iron on to my projects. Sometimes the end pieces can be used about 3-4 times before the adhesive gets too weak to use.
That is a terrific idea!! Thank you so much – I have always saved the pieces because I just never know when I might need a piece but this would be even better since I wouldn’t have to save so much for so long! Thanks!
I just line them up No sewing Re-iron like #4 above Great way to save money
Thanks for the terrific ideas!
I have been keeping all my scraps : batting and w.soluble stabilizer as well I use for patchwork and embroidery … with this very good idea in mind. But until now, my “stock” is not big enough !!! But I find difficult to reuse the tear-away left overs ….
I too save pieces of stabilizers. But to make them into bigger pieces I join them with soluble thread. That allows me to join up pieces of WSS and use again as WSS. If it is a tear away or permanent stabilizer the soluble thread disappears after one washing and under the embroidery is still stabilizer but no more bulk. Just follow the directions and store this thread in a sealed bag.
Love the idea if using WS thread to hold the stabilizer together! And I have a TON of it! Just don’t forget to change out the bobbin of WS thread when you go back to embroidery or regular sewing….ask me how I know….grrrrrrrrrr
I use all my scraps too. I find if I just lightly I mean “real lightly” wet the scrap edge and tap in down onto to other piece it will stay whilr I embroider. Mary