How Do You Use Sulky Sticky Fabri-Solvy

Image of a stabilizer, so How Do You Use Sulky Sticky Fabri-Solvy Besides the nicely alliterative name, Sulky Sticky Fabri-Solvy is a stabilizer rich in features that make it crucial in embroidery, quilting, and others that require stitching patterned designs. It is a fabric-like, printable, wash-out fabric stabilizer that couples the feel of a fabric with the properties that made water-soluble stabilizers so famous. Learning how to use this product is, therefore, essential to the upcoming fabric decorator. So, the question remains, how do you use Sulky Sticky Fabri-Solvy.

There are three primary ways to use your Sticky Fabri-Solvy stabilizer. You can either use it as a fabric topping, a backing, or as a temporary fabric. In each of these uses, this stabilizer performs admirably and performs as advertised.

Among the main reasons for making a water-soluble stabilizer is to act as a stabilizer for highly textured fabrics and as a foundation for free-standing lace. This article explores how Sulky Sticky Fabri Solvy fulfills these roles and others and the best way you can use it for maximum efficiency.

Table of Contents

How To Use Sulky Sticky Fabri-Solvy.

There are three primary ways in which you can use a Sulky Fabri-Solvy stabilizer. These methods include:

Using it as the temporary fabric
Using it as a wash-away topping
Using it as fabric backing

Method 1: Use Sulky Sticky Fabri Solvy

One of the most impressive features of Sulky Fabri-Solvy is that you can use it as the fabric in specific projects. For example, when embroidering works such as free-standing lace, you can stitch the lace design directly onto the Sulky Fabri-Solvy. After washing away the water-soluble stabilizer, what remains is a breathtaking, airy pattern of stitches.

In addition, you can use the Sulky Fabri-Solvy that does not have adhesive on one side when doing free-standing lace designs. Below is a guide on how to achieve this using Sulky Fabri-Solvy.

Step 1: The thread

Ensure that the thread you are using is the right choice for the design you plan to create and the Sulky Fabri-Solvy. Check if the design you are making requires any special or particular thread and acquire it beforehand. For example, some designs will call for thicker, higher weigh threads, while others will need a specific thread material to get the best designs.

Also, check your stabilizer package to see which threads you can and cannot use on them. You can confirm any information on the manufacturer’s website.

Most embroiderers recommend using rayon thread as it works beautifully for decorative stitching and digitized and free-motion embroidery. After choosing your thread, you can then wind several bobbins with the thread you plan to use.

Step 2: The needles

For free-standing lace, experts recommend a sharp needle with a relatively narrow shaft. These features will help the needle stitch while minimizing perforations in the stabilizer.

Step 3: Hoop the stabilizer

Hooping is crucial when embroidering designs onto other fabrics to prevent puckering and design distortion, and it is no different for fabric stabilizers. For example, free-standing lace is especially susceptible to gaps appearing between the inner netting of the design and the border.

This separation is more frequent when dealing with more stitches. Hooping the stabilizer will keep it from shifting and prevent gaps from forming to give the best possible designs.

When choosing the hoop size, choose the smallest possible size that will work for the size of the design you plan to create. To hoop, the Sulky stabilizer cut a piece that is a bit larger than the hoop and hoop it tightly.

Get the stabilizer to be taut without being overstretched or distorted. The greater the tension you can get without destroying the stabilizer, the sturdier a foundation you will have for your stitches.

Step 4: Stitch away!

Once you thread your machine and load the design file (using a computerized machine), you can attach the hoop and begin stitching. If you are not using a computerized machine, Sulky Fabri-Solvy is an excellent option for this project as you can print your designs out on it and use it as a template to guide you as you embroider.

Step 5: Finishing

After you finish stitching your design, tear away the excess stabilizer around the edges of your design and rinse away the remaining stabilizer according to the manufacturer’s direction. You can then allow the lace to dry. If you want it to have a sturdier feel, spray it using heavy starch and mold the lace into the design you desire.

Method 2: Use Sulky Sticky Fabri Solvy While Working With Felt

Felt is one of the best fabrics you can use for machine embroidery. It is a versatile material that can be made using various products, from wool to recycled plastics. Some of its great features include its ease of use, soft texture, and thickness, which gives it a sturdy base and firm structure necessary for machine embroidery.

Sulky sticky Fabri-Solvy is a great asset when working with felt and other napped or irregularly woven fabrics. But, first and most importantly, you could use the Sulky Fabri-Solvy as a topping for the felt and other materials like it. As the term ‘topping’ implies, they are used on the top of your fabric to control the fabric’s nap.

Toppings are a common sight when embroidering on fabrics with an irregular weave or on napped fabrics such as velveteen, towels, and knits. They work to prevent the fabric’s nap from poking through the sewn stitches.

On the felt, toppings are used if the material is particularly dense and the stitches you make sink into the fabric. The Sulky Fabri-Solvy is applied by first securing it to the fabric using the adhesive on one side. If the stabilizer doesn’t stick properly to the felt, you can use pins or painter’s tape to secure it (place these out of the stitching area). Next, embroider your design on the fabric and wash away the topping after you finish.

Toppings are a great option when embroidering as they add clarity to the designs you make. Any fine lettering and detail embroidery you do on your felt will also look crisp and sharp.

Second, you can use it in transferring complex designs that you could not recreate by hand. Using it as a transfer paper will ensure that you get accurate designs, no matter how intricate. You need to peel the paperback and stick it to the felt, then rinse away when you are done.

Method 3: Use Sulky Sticky Fabri Solvy As a Fabric Backing

Besides being used as a topping and a replacement for fabric in some projects, you can also use it as fabric backing. You can use this product when you do not want a trace of the stabilizer to remain on the fabric once you are done.

This need is often the case when embroidering sheer fabrics and fabrics that you intend others to view on the front and back. Consider the design carefully you plan to embroider as this stabilizer does not support stitches that are as dense as, say, tear-away or cut-away stabilizers.

You can choose from stabilizers of different weights depending on various factors. Some of the features you should consider before investing in a Sticky Fabri-Solvy stabilizer or any other water-soluble stabilizer include:

The fabric weight should be compatible with the weight of the stabilizer you plan to use. For example, heavier fabrics need heavier stabilizers, while lighter fabrics can use a much lighter stabilizer.
The embroidery design- If you must use a water-soluble stabilizer, then choose your design accordingly. If your design has more stitches, then you will need a heavier stabilizer. Other factors in the design that you should consider are the design density-which relates to the stitch count and design size.
Test! – Before embroidering the actual design, test the Sulky Sticky Fabri-Solvy on a piece of scrap fabric so that you will know what to anticipate. There are several variables when embroidering could make the final product unexpected such as the fabric and design quality. Even if you follow all the guidelines, the design may not come out as expected. Replicating a smaller design will allow you to anticipate any problems and adjust the elements accordingly to get the intended design.
The back appearance- Apart from helping you preclude any problems, testing the stabilizer will allow you to see how well the stabilizer washes off. There have been some complaints from unsatisfied customers about the stabilizer not washing off properly after they are done stitching- a problem that could be devastating. You can avoid such problems by testing first and, if the stabilizer does not peel properly, finding out if the problem is with the manufacturer or if your batch was faulty.

When using Sulky Fabri-Solvy as a fabric stabilizer, you may encounter too small items for you to hoop on your embroidery machine. For such items, you can hoop the Sticky Fabri-Solvy with the release sheet up.

Score this release sheet and remove it from inside the hoop, and then attach and smooth the item on the adhesive side of the stabilizer that is inside the hoop. We also recommend basting or basting your fabric before you embroider.

What to Keep In Mind While Doing Sulky Sticky Fabri Solvy

Below are some tips and tricks that will help you work more efficiently when using Sulky Sticky Fabri-Solvy.

If the adhesive on the stabilizer is not attaching to the fabric or creates a weak bond, you can reinforce the attachment using some temporary spray adhesive or pins and tape.
The quality of the stabilizer you use will affect the final outlook of your project. A single layer of high-quality stabilizer will work better than multiple layers of a sub-standard product. When buying, make sure that the product you are buying is authentic and not a cheap do-over.

Why Do Sewing Professionals Use Sulky Sticky Fabri Solvy?

Sulky Sticky Fabri-Solvy has many unique features that make it the go-to stabilizer for fabrics. We take a comprehensive look at just what exactly makes this brand so popular.

1. It is printable

This feature is perhaps the most important in Sulky Fabri-Solvy. Transferring the embroidered design onto the fabric can be one of the most painstaking processes when preparing for embroidery.

Drawing a complex or even simple design can be incredibly frustrating for an experienced artist. For an amateur, it may well be impossible to capture the design as is. While you can use other techniques to transfer the designs, printing them on is the most efficient and effective.

You can print any design you send to your inkjet or laser printer from your computer on your Sulky Sticky Fabri-Solvy. This method saves you time and energy, making the embroidery process much smoother.

2. It is versatile

As seen in the various methods you can Sulky Fabri-Solvy for, versatility is among its most outstanding features. Apart from using it as a stabilizer to provide structure to the fabric, you can use this product for many other varied reasons.

For example, you can use it as a fabric topping to get clear and sharp embroidery designs on heavily textured fabrics and napped fabrics such as terrycloth and velveteen. You can also use it as the fabric when embroidering products such as free-standing lace, where it leaves behind exquisite designs.

3. It is easily removable

Since the Sulky Fabri-Solvy has no paper component, you can easily wash it away after each use. Soak in warm water for some time as recommended by the manufacturer and agitate a bit, and it comes right off with no struggle. After you dissolve this product, it leaves behind no residue that may irritate your skin.

The comfortable design against your skin makes this product perfect for embroidering children’s clothes and fabrics for those whose skin is sensitive.

4. Easy application

The self-stick back is another great feature of the Sticky Fabri-Solvy. You can easily access the part of the stabilizer with the adhesive by removing the release sheet and attaching it to your fabric, ready for printing. This adhesive holds items in place for when you want to do reversible or hoop-less embroidery.

5. Non-toxic and acid-free

Sulky guarantees that all the stabilizers they make are non-toxic (lead-free) and acid-free. This factor is crucial for a product that may encounter your skin. So you can use it freely without worrying about any side effects on your health.

6. Heavyweight

This stabilizer comes with the feel and sturdiness of fabric, allowing you to use it for sturdy designs and thick fabrics. Its sturdy feel is also what allows you to use it as a fabric in projects such as free-standing lace, as it provides adequate support.

Is the Process Of Sulky Sticky Fabri Solvy Difficult? And How Long Does It Take?

The process of using Sulky Sticky Fabri Solvy is not at all problematic. As long as you fully understand what you need to do and do it well, you should not have much difficulty. Below are the steps in the Sticky Fabri Solvy process.

Step 1: Gather your tools and materials.

This step is always the first in any project you undertake. It is a great way to ensure that you will move on smoothly without interruptions to get the things you forgot once you start working. In the Fabri Solvy process, the tools and materials you will need include:

The Sulky Sticky Fabri- Solvy stabilizer- Choose the form that will be most convenient for you; sheets that are easier to print or rolls for non-standard sizes.
Thread and needle
The printer if you need to print out the design.
The fabric you plan to sew on.
Thread conditioner

Besides just collecting materials, do some research and ensure that the tools and materials you plan to use are compatible.

Step 2: Transfer the design.

Next, transfer the design onto the stabilizer sheets. As discussed in detail below, you can do this by printing out these designs on a printer after sending them from a computer or tracing the design onto the stabilizer (for more straightforward, less complex designs). If you decide to trace the design, ensure you use a water-soluble marker.

Step 3: Apply the stabilizer.

After transferring the design to the stabilizer sheet, you can now apply it to the fabric. Remove the release sheet to expose the surface with adhesive and stick it to the fabric you plan to embroider.

You can place it on the back if it will primarily act as fabric backing or at the top of it is to act as a fabric topping. If you plan to use the stabilizer as a piece of fabric, you can also hoop it in preparation for sewing.

Step 4: Start sewing.

Once your stabilizer and fabric have been hooped- if necessary- you can then start stitching your design following the patterns you printed out.

Step 5: Finishing

The final step in using Fabri Solvy is finishing. After you are done stitching, you can then remove the stabilizer from the fabric using the widely discussed process.

The process of using Fabri-Solvy is not constant for all projects. The time varies depending on various factors, such as the complexity of the design and the type of fabric- if any- being sewn on. The speed of the worker also influences, to some extent, how long the process can take.

You should also note that when using Sticky Fabri-Solvy, you may feel that your needle has started getting gummed up and feel sticky. This feature will also depend on the climatic factors around you, such as humidity and temperature. When this happens, fear not. Many embroiderers swear by ‘Thread Heaven and other thread conditioners.

You can also quickly solve this problem by using household products such as nail polish remover. Soak it into a cotton pad and run it through the needle after a few minutes of sewing.

How Do You Print from Sulky Fabri Solvy?

The ability to print designs on the Sulky Fabri Solvy is a significant reason it is so convenient to use. You can follow the steps below to print your designs on the stabilizer.

Place your design in a copy machine or send the design to your printer, be it laser or inkjet, from your computer.
Put the Sulky stabilizer on your machine’s paper tray. You can buy Sulky Fabri Solvy stabilizer packaged in sheet form, which is easier to print on, or packaged in rolls that you will have to cut from. When doing this, be careful to place it so that the design will print on the stabilizer side and not on the side with the release sheet.
Set your machine to a light (draft) setting and start the printing process.
After the design has been printed on your stabilizer, you can remove the release sheet by slowly peeling it off.
Smooth the printed embroidery design onto your fabric, in place for quilting, hand embroidery, or any project that needs an illustrated pattern, whether hand or machine work.

You can also use a water-soluble marker to trace your design on the Sticky Fabri-Solvy. Then, remove the release sheet and smooth the stabilizer down onto the fabric. However, it is more challenging to get accurate, precise, and complex designs than when using the printer.

With a computerized embroidery machine, you need not go through printing the design on the fabric. Instead, you can transfer the digital design to your machine’s storage and start embroidering.

If the design you plan to sew is custom, you can use software to transfer an uploaded design into a digitized file to load on your embroidery machine.

How Do You Dissolve Fabri Solvy?

Removing Fabri Solvy after you finish stitching is a simple and straightforward process. It is a wash-away stabilizer; hence you need to remove it using some water. To remove this stabilizer first, cut away any excess Fabri Solvy. Cutting away the excess reduces the amount of stabilizer that needs to dissolve, allowing you to remove the stabilizer faster.

You can then remove any remaining stabilizer by submerging the fabric in warm water. Agitate the fabric as it is submerged. After the remaining stabilizer is dissolved, rinse the fabric thoroughly and then air dry it in a dryer or on a towel, whichever is best for your project.

If the project is dry, there are stills some residual stiffness. You can redo the process until any remaining stabilizer has dissolved entirely.

Watch the video below on dissolving Fabri solvy

Final Thoughts

If used carefully and with the proper skills, Sulky Sticky Fabri-Solvy is an invaluable tool. Its versatility ensures that it is an excellent investment with its excellent performance in all these varied areas helps you work more efficiently and effectively. Still, the main question remains,