How To Remove Water-Soluble Embroidery Stabilizer Topping?

How To Remove Water-Soluble Embroidery Stabilizer Topping?

Introduction:

Hey, embroidery fans! 

You’ve finished a lovely project using water-soluble stabilizer topping, but now you need to figure out how to get it off without ruining your work. 

This article will teach you how to expertly and properly remove water-soluble embroidery stabilizer coating. If you have the right techniques, you can make sure that your embroidery looks perfect, with no traces of glue or distortion.

But before that, if you want your embroidery design to look good after printing or embroidery. Then, you can contact us at EMdigitizing for your embroidery digitizing projects that your embroidery machine or printer can read easily. 

Let’s get started!

How To Remove Water-Soluble Embroidery Stabilizer Topping

How To Remove Water-Soluble Embroidery Stabilizer Topping?

What Is Water-Soluble Embroidery Stabilizer Topping?

What Is Water-Soluble Embroidery Stabilizer Topping
What Is Water-Soluble Embroidery Stabilizer Topping

A type of stabilizer that breaks down in water is a water-soluble embroidery stabilizer topping, which is also called Solvy. It’s essential in high-quality embroidery, as it helps to smooth the embroidery surface, which is necessary for producing clear embroidery. 

In contrast to traditional toppings, water-soluble ones won’t get absorbed by the fabric, allowing for more distinct embroidery designs. A water-soluble topping is a good option for crafts like freestanding lace, where the embroidery is the focal point. 

It’s used on terrycloth, golf shirts, fleece, and anything else with a high nap (a thicker fabric). If you are embroidering on a sheer or lightweight fabric and do not want the backing to show, use a water-soluble topping as a backing instead. 

It comes in both a plastic-like thick film and a fabric-like stabiliser. Both do the same thing, so it’s up to you which one you choose.

How Do You Use Water-Soluble Topping For Embroidery?

How Do You Use Water-Soluble Topping For Embroidery
Embroidery Digitizing Software

A water-soluble stabilizer is a fantastic option for embroidering on a wide range of textiles. It’s simple to use and blends into water fully, leaving behind a lovely design. It’s great for embroidering on materials that are too delicate or thick to fit in a standard embroidery hoop

There are 2 ways to use water-soluble embroidery stabilizer topping. You can either float it on top or hoop it with your fabric.

  1. If it’s floating, hold it firmly with tape, a pin, or even a thin coat of temporary spray glue.
  2. Another option is to lightly wet the sides of the stabilizer (not on the embroidery area) and stick it that way. 

Methods To Remove Water-Soluble Embroidery Stabilizer Topping

Methods To Remove Water-Soluble Embroidery Stabilizer Topping
Methods To Remove Water-Soluble Embroidery Stabilizer Topping

When you’re done embroidery, peel off the water-soluble backing from your garment. When you try to take it off, it tears easily, and the empty spaces between embroidery stitches, letters or items tend to get stuck inside them. 

It can be challenging to remove water-soluble topping. You’ve tried everything to remove it but failed to remove it entirely. 

And now you’re in search of easy ways to remove it. 

Then EMdigitizing has got you covered, embroidery lovers! 

But before jumping into how you can remove water-soluble machine embroidery stabilizers easily, we’ve some exciting news for you. We’re offering embroidery digitizing and vector art services with fast turnaround. You can also get 50% off on your first order with high quality. So, what are you waiting for click here and get your design digitized quickly. 

Now, let’s talk about the easy ways to remove water-soluble stabilizer topping: 

Method # 1: Rinsing

Rinsing
Rinsing

This is the easiest and most usual way to get rid of water-soluble embroidery stabilizer topping. To remove the stabilizer coating, simply soak the embroidered fabric in warm water. Afterwards, use your fingers or a soft brush to carefully rub off the stabiliser topping. 

Reminder: Rubbing too harshly could ruin the embroidery, so please be gentle.

Method # 2: Use Damp Cloth and Iron 

Use Damp Cloth and Iron
Use Damp Cloth and Iron

Ironing it away is another option for getting rid of the water-soluble embroidery stabiliser coating. Cover the embroidered fabric with a moist towel and iron it in a medium setting. 

Overheating the fabric could cause it to burn, so be careful. As you press, the stabiliser topping will melt away.

Although it works well, we don’t recommend it as your first choice.

Method # 3: Using a Seam Ripper

Using a Seam Ripper
Using a Seam Ripper

If you want to remove the Solvy from your embroidery without damaging it, use a seam ripper. 

Grab the stabilizer and hold it away from the base fabric. Then, keep the ball down and use the seam ripper to cut. 

Let’s be honest: It does not work well for all types of fabric. For Some heavy fabrics such as towels, it might be not useful.

Method # 4: Use Tennis Ball

Use Tennis Ball
Use Tennis Ball

We’ve seen some people use tennis balls to remove the embroidery stabilizer topping. We are excited to share how you can use a tennis ball to remove machine embroidery stabilizers. 

It is a quick and easy way to finish your embroidery projects. Also, a more environmentally friendly option than using disposable seam rippers.

Start by soaking an inexpensive tennis ball in the water. You need it to be damp, but not drenched. Cover the tennis ball with any remaining water-soluble stabiliser. When dry, it will have a smooth, hard surface that will protect the ball like a cocoon.

Wet your fingers with water and rub a part of your solvy ball until it gets sticky and wet. This will get rid of the water-soluble topping that is stuck in your embroidery design. Then apply pressure to the water-soluble topping you want to take off. It should come off easily!

Wrapping Up: Which Method is Best for Removing Water Soluble Embroidery Stabilizer Topping?

We hope this guide will help you with water-soluble stabilizers (wash-away stabilizers) embroidery topping and how you can use them as backing or topping. We also mention some budget-friendly options to remove it. 

We recommend a seam sipper and tennis ball best method to remove the machine embroidery stabilizer. But you can follow the above method according to your needs and the type of fabric. 

EMdigitizing is an experienced and reputable embroidery design company, offering full embroidery digitizing and vector editing services to clients all over the world.

For anyone who wants anything digitized quickly and with high quality, EMDigitizing is a fantastic option. We offer first-time customers a 50% discount on all of our services, plus a free quote that is generated in less than 5 minutes. 

You can ask any question about this article in the comments, and don’t forget to share it with people you think might find it useful. 

Best of luck to you! Thank you so much for reading!

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The most common types of stabilizers used in machine embroidery are water-soluble and tear-away. Additionally, for delicate fabrics, use a lighter stabilizer. For thicker fabrics, use a heavier stabilizer.

To use embroidery toppers, just pin or sew them in place on top of the fabric you’ll be embroidering. Do your embroidery as usual. When you’re done embroidery, either pull off the topping or dissolve it in water.

To remove the embroidery design topping, soak the fabric in lukewarm water until the stabilizer dissolves. You can also use a seam ripper to remove the stabilizer. Check our article for more options.