Buy for the first project, not every possibility
Start with one tear-away for stable woven fabric, one cut-away for knits or other projects that need lasting support, and one wash-away for designs that call for it. Add temporary adhesive for positioning and curved scissors for trimming close to the work.
Needles, thread, and bobbin thread depend on the machine and design. Follow the manual and design instructions before buying those supplies.
Five useful starter supplies
These are starting points, not universal requirements. Check the design and stabilizer directions before choosing a material or removal method.
- Tear-away: Sulky Tear-Easy is an 8-inch roll for stable woven projects when temporary backing is appropriate. A precut sheet format is another way to handle repeat cuts.
- Cut-away: Sulky Soft & Sheer or the New brothread cut-away roll are options to compare for projects that need permanent support.
- Wash-away: Sulky Ultra Solvy is a film for designs that call for water-soluble support or topping. A narrower 8-inch format is available to compare against your measured cut.
- Temporary adhesive: Odif 505 can hold fabric in position over hooped backing. Follow its label and protect the work area.
- Curved scissors: Double-curved embroidery scissors can help reach close to the fabric while trimming. Use any suitable sharp scissors you already own.
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Starter product formats
Tear-away backing · Sulky
Sulky Tear-Easy, 8 in × 11 yd
Consider this temporary backing for stable woven fabric when the design instructions allow tear-away. Keep permanent backing for projects that need it.
View Tear-Easy on AmazonCut-away backing · Sulky
Sulky Soft & Sheer, 12 in × 11 yd
A lightweight cut-away format to consider when a garment or other project needs lasting support.
View Soft & Sheer on AmazonWash-away film · Sulky
Sulky Ultra Solvy, 12 in × 8 yd
Use this format when the design calls for firm, water-soluble film. Follow the project's removal directions.
View Ultra Solvy on AmazonTemporary adhesive · Odif
Odif 505 Spray & Fix
For positioning fabric over hooped backing when direct hooping is awkward. This spray helps position material; it does not replace stabilizer.
View Odif 505 on AmazonTrimming tool · Gingher
Double-curved embroidery scissors, 6 in
Curved blades can make it easier to trim jump stitches or appliqué close to the work. They are optional if your current scissors do the job.
View curved scissors on AmazonPrecut tear-away · New brothread
Tear-away, 10 in × 12 in precut sheets
Compare a sheet format when it fits the full cut your hooping method requires.
View precut sheets on AmazonOptional supplies for specific projects
Buy these when a fabric, hooping method, finish, or appliqué design gives you a reason. Check fabric care and product directions before using adhesive or heat.
Self-adhesive tear-away · Sulky
Sulky Sticky Plus sheets
Useful to consider when you need a sticky surface to hold a hard-to-hoop item. Adhesive does not change the support requirements.
View Sticky Plus on AmazonCut-away mesh · New brothread
No-show mesh, 12 in × 50 yd
A permanent backing option to compare when lower visibility matters and the fabric and design can use a light mesh.
View no-show mesh on AmazonIron-on garment backing · Sulky
Tender Touch iron-on backing
A comfort layer placed over finished stitches; it is not a substitute for stabilizer under the fabric while stitching.
View Tender Touch on AmazonAppliqué adhesive · HeatnBond
HeatnBond Lite iron-on adhesive
This fusible web joins fabric for appliqué. It is not an embroidery stabilizer. Choose package size to suit the projects you expect to make.
View HeatnBond Lite on Amazon Compare the larger bolt listingTear-away backing · New brothread
Tear-away, 15 in × 50 yd
Compare a wider roll only when your measured cut benefits from the extra width and the project suits tear-away.
View wide tear-away on AmazonCut-away backing · New brothread
Cut-away, 12 in × 50 yd
A larger roll format to compare for projects that need lasting backing. Confirm that the weight and measured cut suit your work.
View cut-away on AmazonWash-away film · Sulky
Sulky Ultra Solvy, 8 in × 8 yd
A narrower format to compare when the design calls for this film and the measured cut fits the width.
View narrow Ultra Solvy on AmazonCheck hoop fit and cut size before buying
A 4 × 4 hoop and a 5 × 7 hoop describe embroidery fields; your stabilizer cut also needs room for the hooping method. Check the machine's supported hoop and design limits in its manual, and measure the full rectangle you need.
Roll width and precut dimensions are different constraints. A 12-inch roll does not guarantee a suitable cut, and a sheet must fit the whole required rectangle. Use the stabilizer roll-width guide to compare usable cuts before choosing a package.
Choose the backing material in the stabilizer guide, compare by fabric in the fabric guide, and check model-specific hoop limits on the Brother machine lookup.