If directions call for a medium-weight tear-away stabilizer, do you know what that means?

Stabilizers can be so confusing. As if the various types are not enough of a challenge, each type of stabilizer comes in different weights. Light weight. Medium weight. Heavy weight. Typically, the digitizer will specify the stabilizer they recommend for each design they create.

Bonnie Welsh from SewInspiredByBonnie.com graciously shares years of teaching and digitizing experience. This is her chart for using design size, stitch count, and density to determine which weight of stabilizer that you should use in machine embroidery.

Stitching Sizes vs. Stabilizer Weight

Stabilizers support embroidery stitches and help to prevent puckering of the fabric. The more stitches your design has, the heavier the stabilizer that you need to use.

5,000 – 7,000 stitches => Light Weight Stabilizer

8,000 – 20,000 stitches => Medium Weight Stabilizer

20,000+ stitches => Heavy Weight Stabilizer

Determining Stabilizer Weights

Choosing the proper weight of stabilizer is not as easy as buying a certain brand name. Each brand offers different weights within each type of stabilizer. There are medium-weight cutaways and medium-weight tearaways, etc.

While it might not necessarily say light-weight stabilizer on the label, machine embroidery stabilizers are categorized by weights in ounces:

Light-Weight Stabilizer => 1.2 to 1.8 ounces

Medium-Weight Stabilizer => 1.8 to 2.2 ounces

Heavy-Weight Stabilizer => High 2s to 3.2 ounces

These guidelines are just a starting point. Record your results in an embroidery journal and use what works for you!

Debbie SewBlest