Embroidery Backing Options Explained

When setting up an embroidery project, it is important to select the right embroidery backing and topping for the material and design to be used.  The stability of the fabric, stitch density, material color, stitch length, stitch speed, size of the embroidery, and expected laundering of the final garment are some of the consideration when selecting the right embroidery backing. The following provides an overview of the embroidery backing and topping options available. 

BASIC CUT AWAY STABILIZERS

E-Zee Cut® Basic Cut Away stabilizers are non-woven and soft. They are ideal for use with non-stable fabrics such as knits, sweaters, fleece and other fabrics with stretch. Cut Away stabilizers provide a softness that reduces irritation when worn next to the skin and will remain throughout the life of the garment. Basic Cut Away stabilizers are available in light, medium and heavy weight to fit your embroidery needs. All are available in white with some options available in black.
View Madeira’s E-Zee available Basti Cut Away stabilizers here. 

BASIC TEAR AWAY STABILIZERS
E-Zee Tear® Basic Tear Away stabilizers are non-woven and easy to tear. They are ideal for use with stable woven fabrics such as denim, canvas, jacket backs and other stable fabrics. They provide stability during the embroidery process. When torn away, little to no excess stabilizer remains. Basic Tear Away stabilizers are available in light, medium and heavy weight to fit your embroidery needs. All aravailable in white with some options available in black.
View Madeira’s E-Zee available Basic Tear Away stabilizers here.

CAP STABILIZERS
E-Zee Cap® Tear Away stabilizers are cut specifically to fit within Cap Frames and are easy to tear. Ideal for structured caps that are hooked on round cap frames. Cap Tear Away stabilizers provide stability during the embroidery process. When torn away, little to no excess stabilizer remains. All are available in white with some options available in black.
View Madeira’s E-Zee available Cap stabilizers here.

WATER SOLUBLE STABILIZERS
E-Zee Washaway non-woven stabilizers are removed to varying degrees with the use of water. Used alone for free-standing lace, Cutwork and Heirloom embroidery, or as a stabilizer to hold fabric in place while embroidering. Both Tear Washaway and Cut Washaway versions are offered. All are available in white.
View Madeira’s E-Zee available Crinoline here.

PERFORMANCE STABILIZERS
E-Zee Performance is a selection of low profile, sturdy Cut Away stabilizers. They are available in non-woven and woven versions to fit your embroidery needs and preferences. These thin stabilizers are the solution to quality embroidery on thin, slippery performance wear and other lightweight stretchy fabrics.
View Madeira’s E-Zee available Performance stabilizers here.

E-Zee Cut® Extra Stable – with inlaid grids for extra stability
E-Zee Cut® Extra Stable 2.5 oz. is a medium weight, Cut Away stabilizer with an inlaid grid core for added stability. It is a low profile backing with grids within the core to provide extra stability without the extra bulk of a lofty backing. The softness of this backing makes it ideal for us on garments that will be worn against sensitive skin. Use for high stitch count designs with medium to heavy weight fabrics. Cut Away backings should be used for unstable and knit fabrics. Available in white and black.
View Madeira’s E-Zee available Extra Stable Cut Away stabilizer here.

E-Zee Tear® Stick-On – for hard to hoop items
E-Zee Stick-On 1.5 ounce backing is a tear away, adhesive backing with a release paper on one side. One side is coated with 2 mil of adhesive. Use for hard to hoop or small items such as pockets, socks, cuffs, belts and collars. Use when hoop burns are a concern such as with velour or brushed corduroy. Use for very stretch fabrics like bicycle shorts and swim wear. Also used with Fast Frames.
View Madeira’s E-Zee available Stick-On stabilizer here.

E-Zee Tear® Waffle Just Right – for delicate designs and fabrics
E-Zee Tear® Waffle Just Right 1.8 oz. is a lightweight, soft Tear Away stabilizer. It is ultra soft and has perforations that allow it to be torn away easily without adding stress to the design or fabric. It is ideal for lightweight woven and knit fabrics and delicate designs.
View Madeira’s E-Zee available Waffle stabilizer here.

E-Zee Flame Resistant Weblon Mesh – to meet safety standards.
E-Zee Flame Resistant Weblon Mesh 1.6 oz. is made of polyester fibers. It is Children's Sleepwear (Fabric Testing) -16 CFR Part 1615 & 1616 certified. This soft, mesh Cut Away stabilizer is great for infant and children's wear. Use when flame resistance is required for safety. To complete your flame resistant embroidery, use Madeira’s Fire Fighter embroidery thread and Fire Fighter embroidery bobbins.
View Madeira’s E-Zee available Flame-Resistant stabilizer here.

E-Zee Appliqué Magic – no need for additional adhesives
E-Zee Cut® Appliqué Magic 1.2 oz. is a double-sided adhesive backing used for appliqué embroidery. It eliminates the need for heat seals, spray adhesives or glue. One side has a heat-activated adhesive that is lightly fused directly to the appliqué fabric with an iron or heat press. The other side has a release paper and pressure sensitive adhesive that is used to adhere the die cut fabric piece to the garment prior to embroidering.
View Madeira’s E-Zee available Appliqué Magic stabilizer here.

WATER SOLUBLE TOPPINGS
E-Zee water soluble toppings dissolve easily and completely when a mist of water is applied. Used as a topping, stitches are kept from sinking and getting lost when embroidering on lofty fabrics like fleece, terry, heavy knits, corduroy and soft knits. An enhanced crispness can be achieved with the use of a topping for any design, especially when using the thinner 60 and 75 weight threads. Embroidery for stand View Madeira’s E-Zee available Water-Soluble Toppings here.

3D PUFF FOAM
E-Zee 3D Puff Foams are available in a 3mm thickness. Raised embroidery is typically done on thick, woven fabrics like caps and canvas material. Designs are digitized specifically for 3D in order to perforate the foam for easy removal. Available in white, black and many other colors.
View Madeira’s E-Zee available 3D Puff Foam here.

EMBROIDERY COVER-ALL BACKING FINISHERS
E-Zee Backing Finishers cover the underside of finished embroidery. They are soft, smooth stabilizers with heat activated adhesive. Used for infant and children’s wear, for those with sensitive skin, or to give a finished appearance to the back side of embroidery.
View Madeira’s E-Zee available Cover-All backing finishers here.

HEAT LAMINATE AND HEAT SEALS
Heat Laminate & Heat Seals are heat-activated seals. Double-sided heat seals are used to permanently bond badges and emblems to garments. Additionally used for appliqué. A heat laminate is available to seal up the under-side of finished embroidery on weather resistant garments.   
View Madeira’s E-Zee available Heat Laminate and Heat Seals here.

CRINOLINE
E-Zee Crinoline is a woven mesh material that 
is used to add stiffness to badges, patches and emblems.
View Madeira’s E-Zee available Crinoline here.