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Stitch ToolkitPractical tools for sewing and embroidery

Thread & fabric reference

Embroidery Stabiliser Guide

Choose what you're embroidering to find the recommended stabiliser.

Search by name, material or common alternative term.

Clothing

14 choices

T-shirtView guidePolo shirtView guideHoodieView guideSweatshirtView guideBaby onesie / baby clothingView guideDress shirtView guideWork shirtView guideJacketView guideJeansView guideLeggingsView guideSportswearView guidePerformance shirtView guideSchool uniformView guideApronView guide

Stretch & knit fabrics

9 choices

Jersey knitView guideCotton jerseyView guidePolyester knitView guideStretch performance polyesterView guideLycra / SpandexView guideRib knitView guideSweater knitView guideStretch denimView guideNeopreneView guide

Stable woven fabrics

15 choices

Quilting cottonView guideCotton broadclothView guideCotton drillView guideCotton/polyester blendView guideMuslinView guideCalicoView guideFlannelView guideChambrayView guideDenimView guideCanvasView guideDuck clothView guideTwillView guideLinenView guideWoven polyesterView guidePoplinView guide

Towels & pile fabrics

13 choices

Terry towelView guideBath towelView guideHand towelView guideTea towelView guideMicrofibre towelView guideFleeceView guidePolar fleeceView guideVelvetView guideVelourView guideCorduroyView guideMinkyView guideFaux furView guideSherpaView guide

Delicate & sheer fabrics

6 choices

SilkView guideSatinView guideChiffonView guideOrganzaView guideLaceView guideSheer fabricView guide

Bags, hats & accessories

9 choices

Canvas tote bagView guideCotton tote bagView guideNylon bagView guideBackpackView guideBaseball capView guideStructured capView guideBeanieView guidePatchView guideFabric badgeView guide

Household & craft

10 choices

FeltView guideWool feltView guideBurlap / hessianView guideCork fabricView guideNapkinView guideTableclothView guidePlacematView guideCushion coverView guideQuiltView guideBlanketView guide

Difficult surfaces

3 choices

VinylView guideFaux leatherView guideLeatherView guide

79 practical fabric and item guides. Generic guidance with no brand or product endorsements.

Towels & pile fabrics

Microfibre towel

A practical starting point for a clean, lasting result.

Recommended stabiliser

Lightweight cut-away

Topper

Water-soluble film topper

Why this works

Microfibre can be soft and slightly stretchy, so permanent backing supports it while the topper controls the nap.

Practical tips

  • Hoop the item and backing securely without crushing or stretching the fabric.
  • Place the topper over the embroidery area, especially for lettering and detail.
  • Remove the backing gently, then dissolve remaining topper with water.