In October, reader Shirley Clark asked, “What’s the best stabilizer to use for stitching on pillowcases or cotton fabric? I know I’ve played with this a lot, and even used a spray on stabilizer to keep it from puckering. Stitching on knits are easy, but cottons are always challenging.”
Shirley, it depends (great answer, right?) on the design and size of the project. When I’m adding embroidery – think full, dense designs – I often give cotton a little extra lift. I fuse interfacing to the wrong side of the cotton. When making pillows or quilt blocks, I interface the entire wrong side of the block or pillow front. Then I add tear-away stabilizer for the actual embroidery. The interfacing stabilizes the fabric and the tear-away stabilizes the stitches.
I’ve used Pellon’s ShirTailor fusible or tricot knit interfacing. The ShirTailor adds body to the cotton and makes it a bit stiff. I find it’s great for pillow fronts and whole cloth wall quilts (fused edge to edge). I started using it many years ago when I wrote my first quilt book, Contemporary Machine Embroidered Quilts. Since then, my style has evolved and I find I don’t really stitch heavy embroidery designs on quilt tops anymore but the technique still works.
Today, when I’m adding embroidery designs (fill stitches) to a quilt block, I fuse tricot knit interfacing to the wrong side of the block. This added layer of support won’t change the hand of the fabric but the embroidery definitely benefits from this addition.
Of course, another way to avoid puckers on cotton is to select a design that is appropriate for the lightweight cotton. Heavy dense stitches need a firmer substrate, one that can endure thousands of needle penetrations. If you select airy and open designs for stitching on cotton, you’ll be happier with your embroidery.
Always stitch a test of the stabilizer, fabric, interfacing and design combination. Use fabric of the same weight and fiber for the text. Make notes right on the sample if you don’t think you’ll use it in another project. If it’s a candidate for future use, write in pencil on the back. Down the road, you’ll know what changes were required.
Here’s your assignment this week:
I hope this information helped Shirley for stitching on cotton. Our blog sponsor this week is Graceful Embroidery. Please click on the banner below to visit their site and make sure to tell us what’s your favorite Graceful Embroidery design. Four commenters will be chosen to win a $30 voucher to Graceful Embroidery!
The winner of the last assignment answered the following question:
So tell me, how does your significant other show you that they are thinking of you? One comment will be chosen to win a $20 gift card to Designs in Machine Embroidery.
The winner is:
Joan: “This week, my husband cleaned and replaced the ceiling light panels in my sewing room. I’m afraid to let him in there for very long for fear he’ll get rid of some of my stash, though.”
62 COMMENTS
Sandi Cunningham
8 years agoI love all of her Celtic, oh heck I really love anything heirloom, so the whole site. One really beautiful one is the CELTIC ANGEL, though. I’d like to take my Mme Alexander doll (our angel) and make those wings and redo her skirt like this!
Hazel @ Graceful Embroidery
8 years agoHello Sandi
That sounds a perfect idea. I would love to see the result. In creating mu Celtic Angel I have tried to think of lots of ideas and projects that the designs could be used for but I never though of using them to give your a new outfit or wings!
Linda Pratt
8 years agoThis site is very unique and my favorite was the Celtic Christmas collection. Thank you for sharing !
Belinda Germain
8 years agoI love the Romantic crazy quilt patterns, they are very Victorian in style.
[email protected]
8 years agoGreat info on stabilizing cotton for embroidery on quilts, although I am just an amateur quilter, this info would be helpful on other projects, thank you. I love poinsettias during this and every Christmas season, so I have to say the Poinsettias Promises collection woul be my favorite.
Lynda
8 years agoNice site with beautiful designs. I like the heirloom designs but they are all very nice.
Wende Gennardo
8 years agoMy favorite design set is almost all of them, but as I must pick one I will say the Romantic Crazy Quilt 7. I really do love all her heirloom sets also, but like I said the entire site is beautiful. Thanks for a new place tro look for great designs.
Martha
8 years agoEvery time I thought I had found my favorite design I scrolled to the next one and loved it too! How can you expect us to pick a favorite?
Zoe
8 years agoAbsolutely love crazy patch, so I picked block #4 of the Crazy Patch.. I want to thank you for the stabilizing cotton information, would not have thought to fuse tricot knit to it. Love the new to me site.
Beth R
8 years agoI like the Poinsettia Promises collection!
Donna G.
8 years agoBeautiful designs! I especially like the Smoky Mornings collections.
Janny
8 years agoLove the Jane’s White Work collection!
Michelle H
8 years agoI really like the Celtic designs especially the Angle and Celtic Christmas
Maga
8 years agoThank you very much for this (for me) very apt blog post. I have done loads of stitch-outs of a design I want on a summer skirt but have not really come up with the right stabilizer for it to be drapey but yet make the embroidery just right. I will have to try the tricot knit interfacing. Off to search for it now. Season’s Greetings to everybody at DIME
Jeanne
8 years agoOmg, just too many to mention. I’m so glad you linked us to their site. They have soooo many gorgeous designs. But I think since I’m still in Christmas mode, I like the Holly Bells 4. Beautiful!
Gail Beam
8 years agoI love the Romantic Quilt blocks, but all of her designs are beautiful! I belong to her yahoo group and she gives some absolutely gorgeous designs to her yahoo group members.
Diana Slater
8 years agoI love the Embroider’s Prayer 3 collection.
Laraine Lewis
8 years agoAll of their designs are truly elegant and graceful but my favorite is the Bridal Lace Collection. I can definitely see myself making these to use on my Shabby Chic projects. Thank you for the link to this site, I know I will be ordering from them soon!
Karen
8 years agoAll the designs are lovey. I really like the snow flakes to come soon.
Dianne
8 years agoOh my! I did not know this web site existed. What lovely designs. I can’t wait to buy one. They look like quality work. Ok, but to my choice of design, Japanese Blossoms 1, BEAUTIFUL!
susan james
8 years agoi love the celtic angel design. i am a fan of anything angel related.
Barbara Grant
8 years agoI didn’t know about this designer. All her designs are gorgeous! I can’t possibly pick one, but I loved her Christmas design collections.
Judie
8 years agoI am loving the “Almond Silk Paisley” collection. I love heirloom work and thhis takes paisley to a whole new level. Thanks for the link.
Valerie
8 years agoI adore the Celtic Christmas collection
Genene
8 years agoOf all of Hazel’s designs I like the Una Petite Princess collection. It seems so nice for many projects and will work with many others, so that makes it a ‘go to’ design set for many people limited in funds available to spend on their hobby.
Paula
8 years agoI love the Grunge designs! Both the Fleur de Grunge and the Amore de Grunge. They’re very light feeling and would look great on a blouse.
Elizabeth C
8 years agoHow can I choose just one!!! The all of the Celtic designs are what first attracted me to this designer. But I have my set on starting the Romantic Crazy Quilt after the holidays.
Shirley Clark
8 years agoI think I saw my name up there! Thanks for the information. I will share it with my friends.
I’ve never seen that embroidery site either. I love a lot of those, but I am always smitten by paisley so I’ll have to say the Almond Silk Paisley collection.
eileenroche
8 years ago AUTHORYou did see your name, Shirley! Thank you for the question. I’m always on the lookout for blog subjects, so keep asking!
LindaW
8 years agoI discovered this wonderful designer several years ago. There are so many pretty designs on her site–it’s difficult to choose one favorite. I do especially like Le Babe Royale. The small eyelets can be cut out or filled with crystals–beautiful!
Nancy Stansbury
8 years agoThe Celtic Christmas Collection (all 4 sets) are just beautiful and will be perfect on my new tree skirt for a start.
Diane
8 years agoMy favorite on the Graceful Embroidery site was the project of the week – a Christmas Crazy Quilt….it was just beautiful and breath taking…..
DeAnna S
8 years agoBeautiful elegant designs. The Folk Roses are awesome!
JudiC
8 years agoAnother embroidery site that is new to me :o) All absolutely beautiful! My favorites are all the florals, simply beautiful.
Saundra Romanus
8 years agoThank you for your input on embroidering on cotton! I have had problem with puckering on a fill design on cotton 2 or 3 times and I thought it was because I used interfacing. I will definitely try it your way next time! Thank you soooo much!
Jody
8 years agoI love all her beautiful creations! If I have to pick a favorite it would be Cotton Candy 3. I want to do this on pillows for my bed.
Chris Lyon
8 years agoThe designs are lovely, but I found the site hard to navigate. Not quite sure what is included in each collection. I think my favorite would have to be Celtic Christmas, but that may change tomorrow. Too many beautiful choices.
Donna Morgan
8 years agoAll the designs are elegantly and beautifully designed I was, how ear, most inspired but the Elegant Christmas message collection.
Pamela McDonald
8 years agoHands down. The machine embroidery Crazy Quilt blocks. They are beautiful!!
Pamela McDonald
8 years agoAlso, thank you for that stabilizer tip as well!!
Barbara
8 years agoI loved the Harriet 2 designs.
Lois Van Ackern
8 years agoI am planning ahead for a Christmas Tree skirt for next year and fell for her Celtic Christmas Collection…….so beautiful
Simone
8 years agoI’m still a machine embroidery newbie, and I have to say I LOVED LOVED LOVED the Holly Bells collection. Maybe I’ll tackle some projects using those designs for next year!
Also, thanks for the stabilizing tip for cottons. I’m making some pillows for gifts tonight!
Debbie
8 years agoThe designs are beautiful but the celtic designs really appeal to me.
Tammy W.
8 years agoI love the Anastasias collection. That would make a beautiful quilt.
Kelly Sas
8 years agoI’m Irish and love her Celtic designs, but I also have my eye on the Embroiders Prayer collection too!
Dawn Miller
8 years agoI love the Celtic Grace Collection
Susan Hensel
8 years agoi love the Fleur de Grunge
debe
8 years agoOhh, I like all the Heirloom designs & go often to drool over them. My all time favorite design collection has to be the one shown- Poinsettia”s Promises. They are beautiful!! I’d love to win, lol.
Kathryn Barnhill
8 years agoThese are gorgeous! I’m going back for the free sample but I can see using many if there for my garments
I especially appreciate that they are not cutesy.
Kathy E.
8 years agoGraceful Embroidery’s site has so many pretty designs! My favorite is the Amore Grunge Collection. I also found many freebies that I liked and downloaded!
Barbara Wright
8 years agoI love the Romantic Crazy Quilt designs. I love crazy quilt projects of all kinds. These are really special and unique.
Sara Redner
8 years agoThank you for the great tips. I try so hard to hoop and stabilize right and get so frustrated when I still end up with puckers.
I loved all of the designs but being the week before Christmas probably influenced my decision of Poinsettia Promise as my favorite!
Doreen Linehan
8 years agoI like the Celtic Angel. She’s pretty
LeAnne L
8 years agoI really like her new Celtic Angel. I have a bunch of Hazel’s designs and love them all.
Paule-Marie
8 years agoI like the lace angel on the home page and the romantic crazy stocking
Linda De Angelis
8 years agoI love the Heirloom designs, especially the Sweet Innocence collections. I think I could make many items with those designs, including a beautiful sofa pillow.
Kati
8 years agoI appreciate all the great tips on embroidering on different fabrics!
Vicki B.
8 years agoI love Hazel’s designs. I was so happy when I found her website. Great info on stabilizing quilt blocks.
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Merlyn Gooden
8 years agogreat information you are sharing.
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8 years agoThanks a lot