What is the difference between water soluble topping and water soluble stabilizer. Can a topping be used for fls designs. Thanks for your help. I just love this site for the friends here. Lynn

See you got some lovely answers. * FU

Lynn, I use the mesh type WSS for all my FSL - never had any trouble with it. As for the WSS topping - I surely wouldn't even try that with FSL, but it works wonderful for topping - hence the name - I suppose. You would have to use so many layers of it to hold the FSL that it wouldn't be worth the trouble of using it that way. Good luck and I can't wait to see what you are stitching out, soon.

2 comments

by marietta 05 Mar 2010

So good to see you posting again Shirlene. Hope is is looking up there by you.

by designgirl 05 Mar 2010

My dear Shirlene, Great to hear from you.You and Rick have been in my thoughts and prayers. As for what I am stitching. I am putting company names on safety vests. They are mesh and I tried it with two layers of clear stabilizer, one underneath and one one top of the fabric. It came out great. I saw Allstitch has 15% off on stabiler and topping, so wasn't sure of the difference. Thanks for your help. Hope Rick is improving. Take care. Hugs Lynn.

I agree with all that you have already been told. H&*

I have used the heavy stuff as topping and found you really have to soak it out, not good if you are doing a towel and did not want to wash it after, the topper on the other hand takes a small amount of water to make it disappear, just a light spray and gone, great for towels. this is just my experience. I have not tried topping for FSL I would be to afraid of it not holding.
a topping is to keep the stitches on top of the material, were a bottom stabilizer is heavier for a base. Embroidery is like a house the better the foundation the stronger the house. When using for FSL it gives a great foundation for all the stitches and no material also if you wanted it to be stiffer you just don't rinse it completely. I am no expert this is just what I have found to work good for me.
this is were I usually buy my stabilizers I watch her clearence for good deals and usually buy a couple rolls at a time due to the shipping fees.

1 comment

by designgirl 04 Mar 2010

Thanks for your help, I will look at the clearance site you provided. Cute is a great site,for help and friendly advise. Thanks again. Lynn

I use light weight WSS for topping when doing embossed designs. Heavier for FSL designs.

1 comment

by designgirl 04 Mar 2010

Thanks so much for your help.

I believe if it is labeled topping it is a lighter weight material. You can use any water soluble stabilizer on the top as well as on the bottom. However, it is more economical to use the lighter weight on top. I find the heavy WSS works best on the bottom. Vilene also works very well on the bottom.

1 comment

by designgirl 04 Mar 2010

Thanks so much for your help.