how and the world would a heavy design work then because as we all know through trial and error that when you dont get the right backing that heavier designs curl up on you i guess for me at the price of thread and fabric i will stick with whats proven even though it would be nice to have a cheaper way but as the saying gos you pay for what you get mary

Have you tried this? I don't think my machine would stitch out very smooth without stabilizer.

To each their own - I say - use what was made for the work - my tools of the trade have proven to work very well and in the long run - probably cheaper, too. *4U

I embroidered some pillow cases once and as I used them I found one got what looked like gray burn marks around the embroidery. Now, I'm not sure, but I had been experimenting and I think I had used tissue paper on one of the cases for stabilizer. I think the tissue paper couldn't stand the heat of the dryer and singed inside.

I have used a paper called stitch & ditch when working on heirloom stitching & it works fine. I have been know to hoop it, but I think I'd stick to the "normal" stabalizer. But no harm in trying it one time! On something NOT too important anyway! Let us know if you try it!!

Well, I suppose if you were doing something like redwork, it might be ok. The paper would work like a tearaway. I guess I'd have to see the design and the material she's putting it on, but I can't imagine it working well for heavier designs. The whole point of stabilizer is to "stabilize" the material, because the material itself is not heavy enough to support the number of stitches. I can't see how paper would do that. Also, remember paper is made out of wood pulp, and it would dull a needle pretty fast. Know how you don't use your good scissors to cut paper? Same principle. Interesting, Monica, let us know what she tells you, I'd really like to see something she's done this way. I'm afraid I don't quite believe it. Hugs, Marji

well now u got me scratching my head now i have used dryer sheets before and that worked but never thought of paper

I'd be afraid of what the paper would leave behind in my machine.

My dealer told me to float paper under the normal stabilizer for a little extra stabilizer but I found the needles went blunt a lot quicker

Monica, my answer to that 'someone online' would be that I don't see the sense in spending all those $$$$'s on an embroidery machine, just to risk wrecking it - the machine - just to save a few $'s on stabiliser. It's one thing to occasionally embroider on paper for a card etc, but not to use paper constantly as a stabiliser. Plus I don't think ordinary paper would stabilise anything. I won't be trying it, I have too much respect for my lovely Janome. But if it works for her, then okay. Love and hugs for you sweetie, have a fabulous day/night.

UPDATE: I emailed her and she said, "Honestly I only use the stabilizer with silks and satin type materials. Knits, wovens, etc, I always just use the paper. Easy, cheap!
"She gave me permission to list her website and offers a coupon to first time customers when they register. http://www.StitchingGifts.com

I can't imagine doing this. I spent to much for my machine to risk the fibers & dust getting into the
works. But...to each their own. :o)

i k now that in thailand they use in de emboroidery buzznes newspapaers as a stabelizer....
i bought some t-shirts there and i had a newspaper between my embriodery ...

so it can be done with it ..
i really think that the needles don't like it ...

She has an interesting website. Cloth diapers, custom made t-shirt quilts, things like that. But I don't see an embroidered thing there. Now, it struck me funny, a little, that she's selling cloth diapers and un-paper towels to save trees, and embroidering with paper that takes trees to make, hee hee hee. Oh, well, to each his own. Paper piecing is a quilting technique, but I'll pass on the embroidery use. This seems a great site though, for those who want to go 'natural' with baby, instead of all those disposables! Good to know where a site like that is, anyway. This has been a fascinating discussion. Thanks everyone, hugs, Marji