4 simple steps to using Sulky Sticky + self-adhesive stabilizer

This week on QUILTsocial, I’m using the Brother Dreamweaver XE to do a couple different embroidery techniques that I’ve been wanting to try for a while now. The first technique is embroidering on ribbon and the second is making a badge by doing embroidery on felt or felted wool.

I’ve been using embroidered ribbon labels to label my quilts for a long time now. The ones I have were commercially embroidered and I ordered them online. I sew them into the binding of a quilt which is a super fast and easy way to label a quilt. But they’re kind of small – about ½” x 2½” – so they don’t really stand out on anything bigger than a table runner.

So, I thought I’d try embroidering some of my own using the Dreamweaver XE and some 1″ and 1½” ribbons that I have on hand.

Since these ribbons are so narrow, they can’t be hooped like regular cotton fabrics I’ve used in past embroidery projects. So I’ll try Sulky Sticky + which is a self-adhesive, tear-away stabilizer. It’s ideal as a backing stabilizer when doing computerized embroidery, especially when embroidering small pieces of ribbon, fabric, caps, etc. that do not fill a hoop.

It’s also perfect for napped fabrics like velvet, velour, fleece, etc. After finishing the embroidery, the excess tears away easily.

Step 1

First cut off a piece of the Sulky Sticky + that is slightly larger than the hoop. It’s labeled so it’s easy to know which side to hoop facing up. This is an awesome feature!

Step 2

After it’s hooped, score the paper top sheet of the Sulky Sticky + with a pin or sharp knife.

Step 3

Remove the paper from the stabilizer, exposing the sticky side of the Sulky Sticky +.

Step 4

Use the alignment marks on the sides of the Dreamweaver XE hoop to stick the ribbon to the stabilizer in a straight line. If you happen to place it incorrectly don’t worry – you can easily reposition the ribbon as the stabilizer stays sticky even after fabrics, etc. are peeled off of it.

Here’s my first ribbon, centered across the hoop and stuck to the stabilizer.

Now I just have to lock the embroidery hoop with stabilizer and ribbons into the carriage of the Dreamweaver XE.

Now that the ribbons are hooped, join me tomorrow as I set the embroidery design on the LCD screen of the Dreamweaver XE from Brother.