I often forget which one to use for which project simply because when I first started to embroider I bought something called Jonny Sew & you could use it for EVERYTHING well except FSL but I never even heard of it untill I came to cute. Sew Now I have to learn the right ones for the right job!

I usually only use 4 stabilizers. Tear away, Wash away, Wash away topper and No Show Mesh cut away .I use this one on the back of towels or for Tee shirts. I have mesh in 3 colours white black and skintone. Hugs Joyce

I have a bunch - some that I tried and did not really like but will use up someday. I do lots of ITH and FSL so I use Vilene and Tear-Away the most. I have no show mesh cut-away that I use for clothing (fusible) and quilting designs (non-fusible). I have a topper (regular solvy). I don't hoop so I also have sticky vilene to use with the cut-away for clothing and towels, etc. I have a regular cut-away (fusible and not) that I got in the beginning and that I really don't use anymore. I have a wash-away / tear-away that I don't like - I have used it as ITH tear-away to get rid of it. I have a wet-n-stick tearaway that I really like but it is way too expensive for making things to sell.

I have learned which thing to use when so that has not been an issue for me lately. Maybe a little trick to consider - use wash-away when you want no remnants of the stabilizer left; use tear-away when you want stabilizer left under the design (and where it is okay if there could be little pokies left and where it could break down with use); use cut-away when you need stabilizer left under/around the design that will not break down quite like a tear-away will over time.

Stabilizers? Every time I shop I see a new one...just have to try it, so it's like my fabric and thread collection. However, I do use them all. I love the wash-away types for ITH and FSL as the finished project looks so unique. Depending on the project I use both cut-away and tear-away and have both black and white. I see a new skintone on the market and when I need to restock I may try one of those...maybe it has a wider usage. Any ideas to help me with this? Just a note -- when I take the outer wrapper off my roll I re-roll it tightly and stick it INSIDE the roll so that I know which kind it is and what the instructions are that go along with it.

Iron on - tear away, sticky, two different wash aways, regular cut away, iron on cut away, iron on fiber (keeps knit from stretching in the hoop) I really like the Iron on kind... It hoops better for me so I use that a lot.
MJDG

I have seven different stabilizers and I tend to use the tear-a-way the most. As far as knowing which ones to use on which project. It's been trial and error, Cuties help, a friend, online tutorials and the dealer.

I have tear away,ight and med. Cut a way, light and med and no no show poly-mesh. WSS, vilene, ultra solvy, badgemaster, and a thinner WSS for top of t-shirts and towels. Just got some wash a way but haven't tried it yet. Been using a lot of vilene right now for ITH projects. Hugs..Carol

wow I haad no idea that there were sew many different kinds of stabilizers! I am not sure that I understand about the no show mesh? what do you use it for............the back of a towel sew the stitches don't show? Is it like tuille but clear in color? I think that I am more confused then ever But I will bookmark this page & come back & re-read it till it makes sense to me Thanks to all &****** 2 Hugs Loralye