At John Solomon, we pride ourselves on having top-quality backings to fit any type of embroidery job-whether difficult or easy, traditional or unusual. Most of our backings are made using a nondirectional wet-laid process. A nondirectional stabilizer allows you to achieve the most uniform, even tension in the hoop, which makes a huge difference in how your design will embroider. The wet-laid process is the only way to achieve this nondirectional characteristic.

The other benefit of using a nondirectional stabilizer is, if you choose the right type and weight, you need to use only one layer. This is more economical than building stabilizer "sandwiches" of multiple layers, and it helps decrease the bulk behind the embroidery for a smoother, more finished look.

The following guide will help you choose the best type of backing for any embroidery job.

Hydro-Stick Hoopless Stabilizer
This specialized backing is designed for those hard-to-hoop items such as baby socks, neck ties, and bags. It is backed with a moisture-activated adhesive that allows you to affix the item onto the backing and then secure the backing into a hoop. It is environmentally safe and economical because it eliminates the need to use peel-and-stick backings or chemical spray adhesives. It also will not gum up your embroidery needles and machine. It is perfect for medium- to heavy-stitch count designs, canvas, and other medium to heavyweight wovens, dense or thick knits, and patches and embroidered emblems.

To use, hoop the stabilizer with the adhesive side up. Lightly moisten the adhesive with an even, light application. You do not need a lot of water! A damp sponge, rag, foam paint brush, or stamp roller moistener will suffice. Smooth the item onto the stabilizer. Once the item is embroidered, cut away the excess. You can easily reposition your item by pulling it off, reapplying a little more moisture, and then reattaching the item.

It comes in three varieties:

T876 Hydro-Stick Tearaway Light
1.5 ounces
T336 Hydro Stick Tearaway Medium
1. 8 ounces
C428 Hydro-Stick Cutaway
2.0 ounces

C315 No Show Mesh
This 1.5-ounce cutaway mesh stabilizer is the answer to show-through problems when embroidering on light-colored or see-through fabrics. Made of embossed nylon, which is soft, sheer, and translucent, No Show Mesh provides the stability you need with a single layer, but will not be visible from the front of the shirt as will other stabilizers.

If added support is necessary, it can be layered with a tearaway to provide better stitch definition. It is ideal for all lightweight knits or wovens where softness is a consideration. When used with sheer fabrics, it retains a soft hand even after embroidering.

F316 Fusible No Show Mesh or Poly Mesh Plus
Get all the same great characteristics of No Show Mesh "Poly Mesh Plus" but with no messy adhesive sprays or basting. Just iron it on using a low-iron setting (260 degrees) for a secure hold. It is ideal to cover the back of finished embroidery for a nicer appearance and to avoid having the scratchy feeling of heavier backing against the skin.

C617 Washaway Tearaway
This is an easy-tear embroidery stabilizer that dissolves with repeated washings in warm or cool water. It combines the best of both worlds providing stability for the embroidered design but with no bulky leftover to affect the feel of the garment. Simply hoop one layer in with the garment and after sewing, tear away the excess stabilizer.

It is ideal for light- to medium-stitch counts on light- to medium-weight woven fabrics. It's also a good choice for terry cloth and towels.

T678 Pro Stitch Tearaway Firm
With Pro Stitch Tearaway Firm stabilizer you get heavy-duty support for your embroidery plus ease of removal! It is stable enough for applications where hard-to-hoop projects are glued or pinned to a piece of hooped stabilizer. It creates a no-stretch, stable foundation for stitch-dense designs. It is easily removed after stitching with no stress on the embroidery or fabric.

This 1.5-ounce stabilizer is ideal for a wide variety of uses such as knits or wovens; craft projects, including stitching on paper, Aida cloth, and other nontraditional surfaces; and even framed embroidery. Be sure to cut a piece of stabilizer large enough to support the entire framed area to give a smooth appearance when framed.

Pro-Stitch Firm Tearaway is made using a nondirectional, wet-laid process and only one layer is needed for maximum support. It also is available in black for use on dark-colored projects.

To use, cut a piece of stabilizer to fit the hoop size. Place stabilizer behind the design area, next to the wrong side of the garment. Hoop securely with the garment. After stitching, hold onto stitched area with one hand and tear away excess stabilizer with other
hand.

T 633 Pro-Stitch Soft Tearaway
This 1.8-ounce stabilizer is as close as you can come to cutaway support and still have the easy, quick removal of a tearaway! It provides a no-stretch, stable foundation that tears away cleanly. It is soft to the touch, even before laundering. It is perfect for towels and robes, where stiffer tearaways might scratch skin. It can be used on wovens with designs of any stitch count.

It is stable enough for full-front designs on fleece with the ease of tearaway removal. It offers excellent support for lighter knits, with light- to moderate stitch count designs. Pro-Stitch Soft Tearaway is a nondirectional, wet-laid product, so only one layer is needed for maximum support.

To use, cut a piece of stabilizer to fit the hoop size. Place stabilizer behind the design area, next to the wrong side of the garment. Hoop securely with the garment. After stitching, trim away excess stabilizer next to stitching.

C824 Perfect Stitch Cutaway Soft
This medium-weight 2-ounce stabilizer offers soft, no-stretch stability for nearly all your cutaway needs. It has excellent support for light- to heavy-stitch count designs and is recommended for use on most weights of wovens and knits. It is available in black for use on dark-colored embroidery surfaces where stabilizer "disappearance" is desirable. It also is strong enough for applications where hard-to-hoop projects are glued or pinned to a piece of hooped stabilizer. Perfect-Stitch Soft Cutaway is a nondirectional, wet-laid product, so only one layer is needed for maximum support.

To use, cut a piece of stabilizer to fit the hoop size. Place stabilizer behind the design area, next to the wrong side of the garment. Hoop securely with the garment. After stitching, trim away excess stabilizer next to stitching.

C498 Perfect Stitch Cutaway Super
Keep stitches from sinking into the fabric with this heavy-duty 3-ounce cutaway stabilizer. It provides a soft, no-stretch embroidery foundation that lasts the life of the garment. It is excellent for medium- to heavy knits, fleeces, and sweater knits.

This stabilizer also supports designs with medium to heavy stitch counts on any fabric and is perfect for home furnishings projects, such as valances or pillows, where stabilizer can lend total project support. It's also available in black for use on dark-colored embroidery surfaces where stabilizer "disappearance" is desirable. Perfect-Stitch Super Cutaway is a non-directional, wet-laid product, so only one layer is needed for maximum support.

To use, cut a piece of stabilizer to fit the hoop size. Place stabilizer behind the design area, next to the wrong side of the garment. Hoop securely with the garment. After stitching, trim away excess stabilizer next to stitching.