While we are very familiar with using stabilizer to support machine
embroidery stitches, you may be interested to know that supporting your fabric with
a light interfacing also contributes to achieving professional results.
Two of my favorite interfacings are Pellon ShapeFlex 101 and Pellon UltraWeft.
Both are fusible on one side and are available in both black and white to match
your fabric colors.
While ShapeFlex 101 is more like a lightly woven fabric, UltraWeft is rather like gauze.
These interfacings give your fabric a bit more body and maintain
a very soft drape. It keeps your projects looking crisp, yet does not make them
stiff or bulky. Interfacing is useful on the back of base fabrics, especially
if they are semi-opaque and wrinkle easy.
With applique,
interfacing helps prevent shadowing that occurs when you place a light-colored fabric
over a darker base fabric. It also helps prevent edges from fraying in thin
fabrics. It also gives the applique edges some added support to withstand satin
stitching.
For all of these reasons, I especially like to use
interfacings on applique quilts
and as a backing for my embroidery base fabrics. Iron the interfacing to the back of the fabric you intend to embroider.
Keep in mind that interfacing does not replace stabilizer;
they perform two different jobs. Stabilizers support the stitching and
interfacing supports the fabric.
Debbie SewBlest