June 16, 2023
sewblest
Debbie SewBlest , EMB 101
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We know cottons should be preshrunk before we stitch but did
you know that some stabilizers can also shrink?
Some of us pre-shrink fabric although
many contend that today’s quilt shop cottons are a better quality and don’t
have problems with shrinkage like we did in the past.
Have you ever embroidered a design and
you know that it was stabilized properly but, when you pulled it out of the
hoop and ironed it, the puckers started to show up? More than likely, that's
because either the fabric wasn't preshrunk or the stabilizer wasn't preshrunk.
When either one shrinks, it pulls and puckers stitches.
This is especially true with poly mesh
stabilizer and other woven stabilizers. If you cut two pieces of polymesh stabilizer
and pre-shrink one, there can be anywhere from 1/8” to 1/4" difference
between the two. That creates puckering.
Here
is a tip from SewInspiredByBonnie.com.
To preshrink polymesh stabilizer, iron it with the same heat setting that you
are going to use on your fabric.
If the fabric is cotton, iron the stabilizer
with a cotton setting. If you use spray starch on your fabric, spray starch the
stabilizer. If you will use steam on your project after the fact, use steam on your
stabilizer. Treat the stabilizer like you think you're going to treat your
fabric – before you start stitching.
Some embroiderers also wash and dry
their stabilizers to accommodate any shrinkage.
Always test your stabilizer to
determine if preshrinking is necessary. It really makes a difference!
Debbie SewBlest