How To Use Iron-on Stabilizer
Fabric stabilizers are the one that provides maximum support and finishing to your embroidery work. One such stabilizer is the Iron-On stabilizer. Did you use it before? Not yet, then here with this article, you will get to know how to use the iron-on stabilizer to get your work done with the perfect finish.
Stabilizers perform work properly only when chosen right as per the fabric. They are used to provide strength, weight-bearing ability, stiffness, movement on sewing machines, lessens the stress, prevents inevitable sagging, no distortion, etc. At last, it acts as a barrier in preventing the damage of fabric while stitching.
Before that, what is iron on a stabilizer? The iron-on stabilizer is one such stabilizer fused at the back of the fabric with an iron. It arrives in distinct weights, and you should select the one with a similar weight as the fabric. Some of the iron-on stabilizers have two side adhesive, and on that, you can fuse the material.
Here we begin with how to use it.
How To Use The Iron-On Stabilizer?
Contents
As you know, an Iron-on stabilizer is excellent for when you need to append stability to the fabric. It will take two minutes to iron onto the backside without pinning or basting.
If you are holding the fabric piece in your hand, then at first cut the fusible interfacing. Cut it over the stitching line using similar pattern pieces as for the primary fabric. If the interfacing is lightweight, then there is no need to cut or trim it.
Later on, you need to iron on the stabilizer at the back of the fabric, placing it correctly over the place of stitching.
Before using the stabilizer, you need to know that several types of stabilizer interfacing are available, varying in thickness, materials, and stiffness. So, choose the appropriate one for your fabric.
Let’s get into the detailed process of using the iron-on stabilizer for your embroidery.
Steps To Use Iron-On Stabilizer
Before fusing or applying the iron-on stabilizer to the fabric, remember these tips to avoid any misconduct. First is you should try to avoid bubbles; try preshrinking your material by simply pressing it well before applying the stabilizer. It will make the stabilizer easier to be used.
The second thing to keep in mind is while applying the iron-on stabilizer, make sure to set the iron temperature lower and don’t keep it at the maximum temperature to avoid bubbles in between the stabilizer and fabric.
Let’s begin with the steps.
Step 1 – Cut the interfacing.
The first step of the process involves cutting off the interfacing pieces with similar pattern pieces as your fabric. If you cut off the interfacing along the stitching line, it will reduce weight, and it means that you have trimmed off the seam allowance that can occur while fusing.
If you are fusing the lightweight interfacing with the fabric, then there is no need to trim off the excess seam allowance as the piece of interfacing would be a similar size as the primary fabric.
Step 2 – Place the fabric over the ironing board.
The second step is so obvious. You need to place your fabric over the iron board. But how? Place the material facing down towards it, like the front side of your fabric, should be on board, and the backside should be visible to you.
You now need to apply the iron-on stabilizer or the fusible interfacing to your fabric piece’s rear side.
Step 3 – Place the stabilizer on the fabric.
On the third step, you need to place your iron-on stabilizer appropriately on your fabric’s backside. While keeping the stabilizer over the fabric, remember that the adhesive coating it hosts should face your fabric.
Step 4 – Cover with the cloth
Next, you need to cover the stabilizer you placed on the fabric with the cloth to prevent any direct contact of the adhesive with your iron. It is not because it may burn, but sometimes, the glue gets stuck onto your ironing place when it melts if you try to heat it directly.
So, you need to be very careful while applying or pressing the stabilizer with the iron. Press up and remove, press up and remove. You need to be gentle while pressing it. Don’t glide and try to avoid any shift in the layers.
Step 5 – Remove the cloth.
Finally, you are done with fusing the stabilizer with the fabric for embroidery. Now, you need to carefully remove the top cloth you used to cover the stabilizer.
Remember, you have now adhered your fusing interfacing to the fabric you will use for embroidery work, and now you are all set to go on with your sewing step.
How To Remove The Iron-On Stabilizer From the Fabric?
You might have any reason to remove the stabilizer from your fabric. It is due to the wrong position of stabilizer on your material or whether the interfacing got crooked. Or maybe you forgot to trim the stabilizer before using it, or the stabilizer is so stiff for your fabric, and at last, you are done with your work.
So, can you remove the stabilizer once it is applied to it? Well, yes, you can. How? Here it is.
Interfacing is meant for the permanent bond with the fabric you are using for your work, and surprisingly, it lasts through several drying, wearings, and washings. Some stabilizers get removed after completing the job automatically or by washing, but with an iron-on stabilizer, it is somehow different.
Hence, once it is applied to the fabric, it becomes permanent to it. But if you are desperate to remove the stabilizer from your material without causing any damage, here you go with the two methods to remove the stabilizer from the fabric!
Method 1
First, you need to hold the steam iron over the fused fabric piece. You need to keep the interfacing or stabilizer side facing the steam iron plate for about 10 seconds. Yeah! It’s enough. In the meantime, the steam will soften the adhesive of the stabilizer.
Now, you need to gently peel off your stabilizer’s interfacing while it is still warm over the fabric. Since the material might be hot, be careful not to burn your fingers and try removing it with a plastic plucker.
You can also use the fingernail to scrape the stabilizer off but if it seems complicated to do so, then place the iron place lightly over the top of your fabric for another ten seconds.
Again, try to peel it off and repeat the process until the stabilizer gets removed from the material or until the adhesive becomes soft for the interfacing to get peeled off.
Method 2
If there is still some adhesive or glue remaining over your fabric after performing the above method, take the lightweight scrap of the material you used and dampen it.
Place it over the fabric piece, press it with your steam iron, and then immediately peel it off. Repeat the process as many times as required to remove the remaining residue of the adhesive and stabilizer, using the fabric piece each time.
The fabric piece you will use should be new for each recurring step.
You can also try removing the residue by dabbing the fabric with rubbing alcohol. Yeah! It will work. But, before applying it directly to the primary material, test the alcohol on a scrap of your fabric to make sure it won’t be damaged or burn.
Since you are reading the post, you might have held your stabilizer in front of you and now want to start with your project soon. Let’s get it done following this guide on how to use the iron-on stabilizer, and you will be ready with your perfect embroidery base.
Crafting has always been a deep-seated passion of mine, one that has flourished and evolved over the years.
I've dedicated considerable time to both studying and practicing in the realm of fashion and sewing, amassing a wealth of experience and skills.
It brings me great joy to share these insights and experiences with you all, hoping to inspire and foster a similar passion for the art of sewing.
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