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

by Christine Baker

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.

The Dreamweaver XE from Brother -  tutorial on how to make quilt labels using machine embroidery and ribbons

The Dreamweaver XE

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.

An embroidered ribbon label sewn into the binding of a quilt -  tutorial on how to make quilt labels using machine embroidery and ribbons

Ribbon label

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.

Assorted ribbons to be embroidered with the Dreamweaver XE from Brother -  tutorial on how to make quilt labels using machine embroidery and ribbons

Ribbons

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.

Sulky Sticky + self adhesive stabilizer is great for embroidering oddly shaped items -  tutorial on how to make quilt labels using machine embroidery and ribbons on the Brother Dreamweaver XE

Sulky Sticky +

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!

The Sulky Sticky + is labeled so that you know which side to hoop facing up before embroidering with the Dreamweaver XE. A tutorial on how to make quilt labels using machine embroidery and ribbons.

Hoop this side up

Step 2

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

After it is hooped, score the paper top sheet of the Sulky Sticky + with a pin or sharp knife. A tutorial on how to make quilt labels using machine embroidery and ribbons using the Brother Dreamweaver XE

Score paper

Step 3

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

Remove the paper from the stabilizer, exposing the sticky side of the Sulky Sticky +. A tutorial on how to make quilt labels using machine embroidery and ribbons using the Brother Dreamweaver XE

Remove paper

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.

Use the alignment marks on the sides of the Dreamweaver XE hoop to stick the ribbon to the stabilizer in a  straight line. A tutorial on how to make quilt labels using machine embroidery and ribbons using the Brother Dreamweaver XE

Alignment marks on hoop

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

The first ribbon is centered across the Dreamweaver XE hoop and stuck to the stabilizer. A tutorial on how to make quilt labels using machine embroidery and ribbons using the Brother Dreamweaver XE

Ribbon centered on stabilizer

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

The embroidery hoop with stabilizer and ribbons is locked into the carriage of the Dreamweaver XE. A tutorial on how to make quilt labels using machine embroidery and ribbons using the Brother Dreamweaver XE

Lock in the hoop

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.

This is part 1 of 5 in this series.

Go to part 2: Adjusting machine embroidery fonts to the hoop – Dreamweaver XE

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2 comments

Maggie A Drafts February 18, 2019 - 10:39 am

I have embroidered on ribbon for years, and mine always gives a wrinkled appearance after taking it off the stablizer; could you please tell me how yours did when using the SULKY sticky stablizer?
Thanks,

Reply
MaryBeth Little February 18, 2019 - 7:53 am

I’m looking forward to seeing the rest of this series!

Reply

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