Fabric/stabilizer compatibility chart

Fabric/ Garment No. of Backing Pieces No. of Topping Pieces Comments
Terry cloth 1 tear-away 1 water-soluble Increase density and/or satin stitch width.Fine details and small lettering tend to get caught in the terry loops.
Satin jacket Heavy lining: None

Light or no lining: 1 tear-away
None If garment slips in frame, causing alignment problems, wrap inner frame with masking tape or fabric bias tape.
This provides a rough surface to grip garment and also helps minimize frame burn.
Cotton sheeting 1 tear-away None High-density or highly detailed patterns may require more backing. If so, use two pieces of lightweight backing instead of one piece of heavy backing.
Denim 1 tear-away None Reduce speed if needle begins to heat up and the thread breaks.
Headwear Optional Optional Change needles more often than usual because the buckram backing dulls needles faster. A lightweight tear-away backing helps reduce thread breaks and regulates thread tension. Use a topping on corduroy or foam cap fronts.
Dress shirt (woven) 1 tear-away None High-density or highly detailed patterns may require more backing.If so, use two pieces of lightweight backing instead of one piece of heavy backing.
Golf shirt 1 cut-away Optional Use topping for patterns containing small lettering or a lot of detail, and also for pique knits.
Canton fleece 1 tear-away Optional Use a topping if the garment has a textured surface, such as a basketweave or pronounced twill.
Canvas 1 tear-away None Frame tightly
Corduroy 1 tear-away 1 water-soluble A higher stitch density or more understitches, as well as a topping, may be necessary to prevent stitches from sinking into the fabric.
Lingerie or silk 1 or 2 lightweight tear-away Optional Reduce sewing speed.
The thread tension should be low. Use topping for patterns with high detail or small lettering.For very fine fabrics, use a thinner thread. Avoid extremely narrow satin stitching on letters or details; instead increase satin stitch width or use a bean stitch. Gently remove (don't pull) backing and topping from garment.
Sweater knit 1 cut-away or adhesive tea-away 1 water-soluble Use tightly woven organza or curtain fabric in a matching color as a backing for bulky or "holey" knits.
Sweatshirt 1 cut-away or adhesive tear-away Optional Highly detailed patterns may require two layers of lightweight cut-away stabilizer. Use a topping on extra-thick fabrics or with fine-detail patterns.
T-shirt 1 light-weight cutaway or adhesive tear-away Optional Use a topping on patterns with fine detail or small lettering. Tensions should be light.
Avoid stitch-heavy patterns.

Due to the wide variety of fabrics and stabilizers available, the above information should be used as guideline only.
If unsure of a particular fabric/ stabilizer combination, please sew test a sample prior to the finished garment.

 

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Related Models

PR-1000, PR1000e, PR1X, PR-600/600C, PR-620/620C/600II/600IIC, PR-650/650C, PR650e/PR650eC, PR655/PR655C, PRS100

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