Non-Woven Stabilizers - The "Theory"

Non Woven Stabilizers for Embroidery

The key to getting your best embroidery result is to use your stabilizers to achieve proper fabric tension in the hoop. The goal is to have a taut embroidery surface, like a tambourine skin. In other words, you need the tension to be spread evenly in all directions, called a multi-directional, or non-directional, tension.

If the fabric is too loose in the hoop, the needle will deflect your material and design registration will be adversely affected. That means that your outlines may not line up with other portions of the design.
So, it makes sense that you would need a non-directional stabilizer, one that has no "give" or stretch in any direction. A non-directional stabilizer is the only type that can help you truly achieve this "skin" type tension in the hoop.

Wet-laid nonwoven stabilizers offer this type of multi-directional stability.
In technical terms, this classification of stabilizer is entirely non-directional with equal tear strength in all directions. We do a special test called the "Elmendorf Tear Test" to check for equal tear strength, both machine and cross direction.
What does the term wet-laid really mean? It refers to the method of manufacturing, and how the fibers are dispersed. The most common alternate method creates "saturates", in which nonwoven fibers are chemically bonded.

JSI makes a delta formed wet-laid nonwoven, which is manufactured using methods similar to those used in the manufacture of very fine paper.

The process begins in a machine that contains a slurry of water and a wire mesh screen. (Interestingly, this part of the process used to be done in rivers.) Components are added, including polyester for softness, rayon for tearability, wood pulp as a filler, an acrylic binder to bind the fibers.
Silicone is also added to this mixture for all embroidery stabilizers to help lubricate the needle during embroidery.
In our delta formed nonwovens we also use a special patented process called "Confil", which allows us to use a very short polyester fiber, making these goods extremely soft and dense.

The wire mesh screen then rises and the components are raised out of the water bath. The mixture dries in a very even alluvial formation. For more information on this process, you can visit these locations on our web site.

Non Woven Construction
Wet Laid

The resulting stabilizers are both non-directional and dense, having no give in any direction. They are all designed so that you can use only a single layer of stabilizer. To achieve that goal, we manufacture several weights ranging from 1 ounce per square yard to 3 ounces per square yard.

The resulting products are the highest quality, softest and most dense nonwovens in the world. They are also the highest quality.

To summarize, after all of this technical talk, just remember that correct stabilization is the foundation of good embroidery. Yet, we shouldn't over-stabilize. Using too much stabilizer creates bulk and sacrifices the drape of your fabric. It is also more expensive. Try not to get in the habit of solving problems with poor registration resulting from poor digitizing by using extra layers of stabilizer.

We promise to be at the forefront of our industry, developing new and unique products to further our craft and improve the quality of embroidery.