Tuesday, March 06, 2012

New Video - and Magical New Embroidery Product


So I was browsing through the Sulky website recently and I saw this stabilizer that I've never seen in a store - or even heard of. It sounded amazing, but it was kind of expensive and I thought it might be too good to be true so I ordered just one package to test it out.

I AM HOOKED!

I can't get over how tremendously, perfectly useful this stuff is! Especially for those of us who buy digital patterns! It's so amazing that I did a video just for this one product. It replaces everything I normally use. Everything!

See this video on how to transfer embroidery patterns? And this one about embroidering on stretchy fabrics? And this post about removing stabilizer? I now use this instead of all the products I showed you in those old videos. It works on light fabrics, dark fabrics, napped fabrics, and stretchy fabrics. It's MAGIC!

I say it all in the video - but it's worth saying here again. Here's what's so great about it. . .
  1. It's 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheets that can go through your inkjet printer or a photocopy machine. No more tracing patterns. Ever! Tracing patterns is my least favorite part of an embroidery project and I Will Never Do It Again!
  2. Peel off the paper back and stick your pattern to your fabric. It sticks REALLY well, but doesn't leave even a trace of adhesive on your thread or needle.
  3. Stitch right through the pattern and fabric. The pattern sheet actually stabilizes your fabric, making your stitching even neater. And it works on stretchy fabrics too!
  4. Dunk your finished embroidery in water and swish it around for a minute or too and every trace of the stabilizer dissolves away.
I love this stuff! One package contains 12 sheets and costs $14.99. That works out to a little bit more than $1 per sheet. At first I thought that was a little on the pricey side and I'd just use it on more complicated patterns, but now that I've used it on a few projects I'm totally hooked. Pay a buck and I don't have to trace the pattern, my fabric is beautifully stabilized, it doesn't matter if I go off the lines a bit, and it rinses away in minutes? Yes please!

I am all about tools and techniques that make my crafting easier and more enjoyable. This is supposed to be fun - right? :-)

You can buy the stabilizer here. You guys are going to love this stuff!

Best,
Wendi




at

13 comments:

  1. spidermom12:39 PM

    OH MY! absolute magic! thanks Wendi for sharing this awesome find...must buy right away! and to think, i spent a good hour of my life transferring a complicated design just this weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Becky12:53 PM

    Oh My Help! Thank you for sharing your discovery!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi! I'm Wendi!1:10 PM

    Just wait until you try it! You're going to LOVE it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Redlucy3:50 PM

    Put mine on order, looks like the answer to many of my problems. BTW, working/finishing a project of flowered dish towels, used your split stitch..I'm in love!! You also taught me how to make beautiful French knots..I used to hate trying them and now I LOVE them! I am truly indebted to you, thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. lewmew9:53 PM

    Can you leave it on if you want? I use a lot of overdyes that you can't alway guarantee are color fast - so a quick swish may mean a ruined piece!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jennifer J10:02 PM

    I learned about this stuff from Bird Brain Designs www.BirdBrainDesigns.net
    I have a sampler printed on it and half done in my hoop. I love it, too. I found it at Fabric Depot (largest fabric store west of the Mississippi) in Portland, OR. My weekly 40% off coupon made it very affordable. I'm glad you are able to let more people know about it. It works for bigger pieces, too. You just stitch the first page, and then line up the second and stitch some more.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Deby9:07 PM

    This IS magic!! I haven't commented before but I have been following you for a few months now. Your tutorials have been so helpful as I learn to sew and embroider. This product is so exciting! You are my hero! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! I'm Wendi!8:02 AM

      I hope you like it! I'm using it on a big piece right now (first time I've used it on something more than one page) and it's working great. :-)

      Delete
  8. Aubrey11:59 AM

    I have used this product several times, but there is one problem. When you use this on a white fabric. The dye used to color the floss often bleeds on the the piece. I have tried washing the floss before hand and soaking it in vinegar,but nothing has worked. I have ruined 2 projects this way. Any ideas?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Regena6:47 PM

    I had a problem with it, my stitching looked soooo loose after I rinsed it out. I was using a single strand and didn't want to over tighten my stitch,

    any tips???

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! I'm Wendi!4:23 PM

      Hmmm. . . I haven't run into that before with the stabilizer. Usually that happens when you over-stretch the fabric in the hoop. It'll spring back when you let it out and suddenly all your stitches will be very loose. But usually the stabilizer helps prevent that. Do you think you're pulling the fabric too tight in the hoop?

      Delete
  10. Anonymous10:24 PM

    How does this work on felt? Can you really rinse the felt to dissolve this stabilizer? If so, any tips on how to do this?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! I'm Wendi!9:23 AM

      You really can! Just don't use hot water. :-) I use tepid-to-ever-so-slightly-warm water, let it soak for a good while (5 minutes?), then rinse it under the sprayer (also tepid water) in my kitchen sink (that helps get the little bits free from the felt). It works like a charm! Visit this guest post I did on Sew, Mama, Sew to see the pieces for a felt bird before and after soaking - and the finished bird. http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2013/03/flora-the-spring-bird/ I cannot emphasize enough how much I love this stuff!

      Delete