Fabric/stabilizer compatibility chart; No. of Backing ; No. of Topping - Page 226

APPENDIX 

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224

Fabric/stabilizer compatibility chart

Note

●

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.

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 designs 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 designs 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 designs 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 designs 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 tear-

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 designs may require two layers of 

lightweight cut-away stabilizer. Use a topping on 

extra-thick fabrics or with fine-detail designs.

T-shirt

1 light-weight 

cut-away or 

adhesive tear-

away

Optional

Use a topping on designs with fine detail or small 

lettering. Tensions should be light. Avoid stitch-

heavy designs.