Best Cutaway Stabilizers for Machine Embroidery
The best cutaway stabilizers for machine embroidery include the HBI Cut Away Roll for medium to dense lettering, the New brothread No Show Mesh for light colored knits and polos, and the New brothread 10 in Cut Away Roll for 4x4 and 5x7 hoops.
On this page (9 sections)
- The 7 best cutaway stabilizers for machine embroidery in detail
- Side by side: size, weight and use
- How we picked these seven cutaway stabilizers
- Solid cutaway or no show mesh: which cutaway stabilizer to buy
- Weight, width and length: how to size your roll
- How to hoop, cut and trim a cutaway stabilizer
- Common mistakes with cutaway stabilizer
- Match the cutaway stabilizer to your fabric
- Verdict: the best cutaway stabilizer for your fabric and hoop
A cutaway stabilizer is a backing that stays in the finished piece, so it supports the design for good. It suits knits, fleece, denim and any fabric that stretches or moves.
This roundup compares seven rolls, sheets and mesh options by size, weight and use, so you can match one to your fabric and your hoop. If you're new to the machine side, start with embroidery machines for beginners.
Cutaway stays in the piece, while tear away comes off after stitching, so check the difference in cutaway vs tearaway stabilizer if you're unsure which you need.
Our picks at a glance
-
1
-
2
-
3
- 4
Check itNew brothread 12 in Cut Away Roll
Best for everyday knits, fleece and denim - 5
Check itNew brothread Precut Cut Away Sheets
Best for small projects with no cutting - 6
Best for a first try at no show meshCheck it - 7
Best for wide pieces on light fabricCheck it
The 7 best cutaway stabilizers for machine embroidery in detail
The HBI Cut Away Roll scores highest because it supports medium to dense designs, such as lettering and logos, on knits, fleece and denim. The HBI no show mesh in 15 in scores lowest because it's built for wide pieces on light fabric, a narrower job than everyday hoop work.
HBI Cut Away Roll
- 12 in x 50 yd roll
- 2.5 oz medium weight
- Firm backing against puckering
- Works with knits, fleece, denim and stretch fabric
A firm 2.5 oz roll for medium to dense stitch patterns. HBI says it prevents puckering and distortion.
Pros
- Supports lettering, logos and appliqué
- Cut custom sizes for small and large hoops
- Pairs with fusible interfacing or layered fabric
Cons
- It's permanent, so it stays inside the finished piece
The HBI Cut Away Roll is the pick for medium to dense designs, including lettering, logos and appliqué. HBI calls it a 2.5 oz medium roll that gives firm backing to prevent puckering and distortion.
It's 12 in wide and 50 yd long, so you can cut custom sizes for small and large hoops. HBI says it works on knits, fleece, denim and stretch materials, and names logos, monograms, patches and appliqué as the jobs it suits.
HBI also says it pairs with fusible interfacing, fusible fleece or layered fabric when a project needs extra stitch support. It's the one solid roll here that names medium to dense patterns, while New brothread names light to medium density.
The drawback is that it's permanent, like every cutaway in this roundup, so it stays in the finished piece. If the backing would show through a light fabric, choose a no show mesh instead.
New brothread No Show Mesh
- 12 in x 50 yd roll
- Semitransparent embossed nylon
- Hides the backing on light fabric
- Light build for light stitching
A semitransparent mesh that keeps the backing from showing through light colored knits. New brothread says it suits chest logos and pique knits.
Pros
- Hides show-through on light fabric
- Soft against the skin, New brothread says
- One layer handles light stitching
Cons
- Light weight, so denser designs need a tear away underneath
The New brothread no show mesh is a semitransparent cutaway for light colored knits, polo shirts and tees. Its sheer mesh keeps the backing from showing through a light fabric.
New brothread says it suits chest logos, pique knits, silk and satin, and calls the 100% embossed nylon soft, acid free and lead free. The roll is 12 in wide and 50 yd long, and the brand compares it to Sulky Soft 'n Sheer.
For a light design, New brothread says one layer under the fabric is enough. For heavy stitches, denser designs or thicker fabrics, the brand suggests a light tear away underneath, which you tear off after stitching to leave the soft mesh.
New brothread also says the mesh removes the bulk, stiffness and shadowing of other permanent stabilizers, and that the embossing adds stability in every direction.
The drawback is the light build, so dense designs need that extra tear away layer.
New brothread 10 in Cut Away Roll
- 10 in x 50 yd roll
- 2.5 oz (70 g) medium weight
- Cut 8 x 10 in for a 4x4 hoop
- Cut 10 x 12 in for a 5x7 hoop
A 10 in roll with cut sizes for two common hoops. New brothread gives 8 x 10 in for a 4x4 hoop and 10 x 12 in for a 5x7 hoop.
Pros
- Clear cut sizes from the brand
- Permanent support for knits and fleece
- Keeps its shape after repeated washing, New brothread says
Cons
- At 10 in wide it's narrower than the 12 in rolls, so larger pieces have less room to cut
The New brothread 10 in roll is the pick when you want cut sizes for two common hoops. New brothread says to cut 8 x 10 in for a 4x4 hoop and 10 x 12 in for a 5x7 hoop.
It's a 2.5 oz medium polyester roll, 50 yd long, and the brand says it's used on knits, fleece and denim. It also suits hoop embroidery, appliqué and decorative stitch sewing, New brothread adds.
The brand calls it a permanent stabilizer that helps the design keep its shape after repeated washing. Those cut sizes make it easy to plan pieces for a beginner machine.
The drawback is the 10 in width, which is narrower than the 12 in roll, so larger pieces leave less room to cut.
New brothread 12 in Cut Away Roll
- 12 in x 50 yd roll
- 2.5 oz (70 g) medium weight
- Polyester
- Cut into sizes for most hoops
A permanent 2.5 oz polyester roll for knits, fleece and denim. New brothread says it keeps the design's shape through repeated washing.
Pros
- Long 50 yd roll for many projects
- Cut into sizes for most hoops
- Keeps the design's shape after washing, New brothread says
Cons
- It stays in the finished piece for good, so it isn't the pick when you want no backing at all
The New brothread 12 in roll is the everyday choice for knits, fleece and denim. It's a 2.5 oz medium polyester roll, 12 in wide and 50 yd long.
New brothread calls it a permanent stabilizer that stays affixed to the embroidery, and says it helps the design keep its shape after repeated washing. The brand also says it suits fabric that is unstable, moves or distorts when tugged.
New brothread says the 12 in width fits most hoops on home and commercial machines, so you can cut it to size. It names hoop embroidery, appliqué, lace embroidery and decorative stitch sewing as other uses.
The drawback is that it stays in the finished piece for good, and the brand says it suits light to medium stitch density, with more layers for denser designs.
New brothread Precut Cut Away Sheets
- 100 precut sheets
- 8 x 8 in squares
- 2.5 oz (70 g) medium weight
- Trim close to the stitches
100 precut 8 x 8 in squares, so you skip measuring and cutting. The brand gives a simple hoop and trim method.
Pros
- No cutting before you hoop
- Medium weight for light to medium density
- Clear trim steps from the brand
Cons
- The 8 in squares are small, so bigger designs need a roll
The New brothread precut sheets are 100 squares of cutaway at 8 x 8 in, so you skip measuring and cutting. Each sheet is 2.5 oz medium weight polyester, and the brand says it suits knits, fleece and denim.
New brothread's steps are simple: hoop the sheet with the fabric, stitch, roughly cut the excess, then trim close to the stitches with sharp scissors. The brand says the sheets suit light to medium stitch density, with more layers for denser designs.
A pack of 100 covers a long run of small pieces.
The drawback is the small 8 in square, so a design that needs a bigger piece calls for a roll instead. Keep a roll on hand for larger hoops.
HBI No Show Mesh 12 in Roll
- 12 in x 25 yd roll
- Embossed texture
- Thin profile
- Suits all types of embroidery machines, HBI says
A shorter 25 yd no show roll for light fabrics. HBI says its invisible design keeps embroidery crisp and reduces puckering.
Pros
- Hides the backing on light fabric
- A 25 yd roll is a smaller commitment than the 50 yd rolls
- Thin profile adds stability without stiffness, HBI says
Cons
- The thin profile gives less support for dense designs, so add a tear away for heavy stitching
The HBI no show mesh in 12 in by 25 yd is the shorter of the two HBI mesh rolls, so it's the easier first try at no show mesh. HBI says its invisible cutaway design keeps embroidery crisp on light fabrics.
The embossed texture reinforces the fabric and helps prevent distortion, HBI says. Its thin profile adds stability without stiffness, so finished garments stay comfortable against the skin.
HBI says the roll suits all types of embroidery machines, and that a continuous roll lets you cut exact piece sizes. The 25 yd length is a smaller commitment than the 50 yd rolls.
The drawback is that the thin profile gives less support for dense designs. For heavy stitching, layer a light tear away under the mesh, as New brothread suggests for its own mesh.
HBI No Show Mesh 15 in Roll
- 15 in x 25 yd roll
- Embossed texture
- Invisible cut away design
- Widest roll in this roundup
The widest roll here at 15 in, for larger pieces on light fabric. HBI says it suits all types of embroidery machines.
Pros
- Room for wide pieces
- Keeps the design crisp on light fabric, HBI says
- Thin profile adds stability without stiffness, HBI says
Cons
- A 15 in roll leaves more to trim when you only need a small piece
The HBI no show mesh in 15 in by 25 yd is the widest roll in this roundup, made for wide pieces on light fabric. It has the same embossed, thin build as the 12 in HBI mesh.
HBI says the invisible cutaway design keeps embroidery crisp on light fabrics, and that the embossed texture reinforces the fabric and prevents distortion. HBI also says the roll suits all types of embroidery machines.
The thin profile adds stability without stiffness, HBI says, which matters on a garment you'll wear. As with the 12 in roll, you cut the exact piece size you need from the continuous roll.
The drawback is that a 15 in roll leaves more to trim when you only need a small piece, so it suits larger projects. Trim it close to the stitches, as you would with any cutaway.
Side by side: size, weight and use
Size and weight tell you whether a roll fits your hoop and how much support it gives, so check them first. The use column shows which fabrics each brand names.
| Product | Best for | Size | Weight | Use | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HBI Cut Away Roll | medium to dense lettering | 12 in x 50 yd | 2.5 oz (medium) | Knits, fleece, denim and stretch | 8.9 |
| New brothread No Show Mesh | light colored knits and polos | 12 in x 50 yd | Light | Light knits, polos and tees | 8.8 |
| New brothread 10 in Cut Away Roll | 4x4 and 5x7 hoops | 10 in x 50 yd | 2.5 oz (70 g) | Knits, fleece and denim | 8.7 |
| New brothread 12 in Cut Away Roll | everyday knits, fleece and denim | 12 in x 50 yd | 2.5 oz (70 g) | Knits, fleece and denim | 8.6 |
| New brothread Precut Cut Away Sheets | small projects with no cutting | 8 x 8 in, 100 sheets | 2.5 oz (70 g) | Knits, fleece and denim | 8.5 |
| HBI No Show Mesh 12 in Roll | a first try at no show mesh | 12 in x 25 yd | Light | Light fabrics and knits | 8.3 |
| HBI No Show Mesh 15 in Roll | wide pieces on light fabric | 15 in x 25 yd | Light | Light fabrics and knits | 8.0 |
Three of the seven are no show mesh rolls, and they're the ones to pick when a solid backing would show through light fabric. The other four are solid cutaway rolls and sheets, and the brands name knits, fleece and denim for them.
How we picked these seven cutaway stabilizers
We compared each stabilizer's type, weight, width and length, then checked which fabrics the brand names.
Type came first, because a solid cutaway and a no show mesh do different jobs on light fabric. Width came next, since it decides how much you can cut for each hoop.
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. Products with clear cut sizes or a clear use scored higher, and the picks lean on what each brand says about its own product.
Solid cutaway or no show mesh: which cutaway stabilizer to buy
Pick a solid cutaway when the design needs firm backing, and pick a no show mesh when the backing would show through a light colored knit.
When a solid cutaway is the right choice
The HBI roll and the three New brothread cutaway products are the solid picks for everyday knits, fleece and denim. The HBI roll is the one to pick for medium to dense lettering and appliqué.
If you sew on both dark and light knits, keep one solid roll and one mesh roll on the shelf. The solid roll handles dark garments, and the mesh handles light ones where show-through is the concern.
When no show mesh is the right choice
No show mesh suits light colored knits, polos and tees, where a solid backing would show through. Its light weight means denser designs need a tear away underneath, so plan for that before you stitch.
Layer a tear away under no show mesh for dense designs
New brothread's method is to put one layer of light tear away under the mesh, hoop them with the fabric and stitch together. After the design is done, tear off the tear away and leave the soft mesh behind the stitches.
Test the combination on scrap fabric first, since a dense design may still need an extra layer.
Weight, width and length: how to size your roll
Choose the weight for your stitch density, the width for your hoop and the length for how often you stitch.
Weight: medium or light
The solid cutaways here are 2.5 oz medium weight, which New brothread ties to light to medium stitch density and HBI ties to medium to dense designs. The mesh rolls are light, so plan on a tear away underneath for dense work.
Width for your hoop
The 12 in rolls leave the most room to cut for home hoops, and the 15 in mesh is the widest here. The 10 in roll and the 8 in sheets suit smaller work, and the 10 in roll comes with cut sizes for a 4x4 and a 5x7 hoop.
Length for how often you stitch
The 50 yd rolls last longer than the 25 yd rolls, so they suit someone who stitches often. The 100 precut sheets fit occasional small projects, since you don't need to measure or cut first.
For scale, a 50 yd roll is 1,800 in long, so it gives about 180 pieces cut 10 in long.
How to hoop, cut and trim a cutaway stabilizer
Hoop the stabilizer with the fabric, stitch the design, then cut the excess close to the stitches. Use sharp scissors and keep your fingers clear of the blades.
Cut the stabilizer large enough to reach past the hoop edge on every side, so the fabric sits on a full layer. Check that it lies flat before you start the machine, since a wrinkle can show up in the stitches.
Trim close without cutting the stitches
Cut the rough excess first, then trim close to the stitches, taking care not to snip the stitches themselves. Keep stabilizer scraps away from pets, and sweep up trimmed bits as you work.
Hoop the cutaway stabilizer with the fabric
Hoop the stabilizer with the fabric so both sit flat in the hoop. HBI says its roll prevents puckering, and New brothread says its roll keeps a design's shape after washing.
Common mistakes with cutaway stabilizer
Most mistakes come from picking the wrong type or the wrong weight for the design.
- Using tear away where you need cutaway. A tear away comes off after stitching, while a cutaway stays for good, so pick cutaway when the design needs support that stays with the garment. Our New brothread tear away stabilizer review shows where tear away fits instead.
- Skipping the mesh on light knits. A solid backing can show through a light colored knit, so use a no show mesh there.
- Using one layer on a dense design. New brothread says more than one layer works for much denser designs, so add a layer and test on scrap fabric first.
- Buying a width that's too narrow. A narrow roll leaves little to cut around a larger hoop, so check the width against the hoop you use most.
Match the cutaway stabilizer to your fabric
Start with the fabric, then the design, then the hoop. The table below pairs common jobs with the product that fits each one best.
| Fabric or job | Weight | Pick from this roundup |
|---|---|---|
| Knits, fleece and stretch fabric | Medium | HBI Cut Away Roll or New brothread 12 in roll |
| Denim | Medium | New brothread 12 in roll or HBI Cut Away Roll |
| Lettering, logos and appliqué | Medium | HBI Cut Away Roll |
| Light colored knits, polos and tees | Light | New brothread No Show Mesh |
| 4x4 or 5x7 hoop with set cut sizes | Medium | New brothread 10 in roll |
| Small quick projects | Medium | New brothread Precut Sheets |
| Wide pieces on light fabric | Light | HBI No Show Mesh 15 in |
Knits, fleece and denim are the fabrics both brands name for their solid cutaway rolls, and those are the jobs where a permanent backing earns its place. Denim is heavier than a light knit, so the medium weight rolls fit it, while a light knit is where the no show mesh keeps the backing out of sight.
If you're not sure a project needs stabilizer at all, do you need stabilizer for embroidery covers the basics first. For a fabric-by-fabric chart, read how to choose an embroidery stabilizer by fabric.
Towels and other pile fabrics are a different job, since stitches sink into the loops. Use a topping there, and see the best water soluble stabilizers for embroidery for the options.
For knits, towels and hats side by side, the best stabilizer for knits, towels and hats covers each fabric.
Verdict: the best cutaway stabilizer for your fabric and hoop
The HBI Cut Away Roll is the best cutaway stabilizer if your designs are medium to dense, and the New brothread 12 in roll is the everyday pick for knits, fleece and denim. Pick another when your fabric or hoop points elsewhere.
- Pick the HBI Cut Away Roll if your designs are medium to dense lettering, logos or appliqué.
- Pick the New brothread No Show Mesh if light colored knits and polos are your main fabrics.
- Pick the New brothread 10 in roll if you want cut sizes for a 4x4 or 5x7 hoop.
- Pick the New brothread 12 in roll if you want one solid roll for everyday knits, fleece and denim.
- Pick the New brothread Precut Sheets if you want to skip cutting for small projects.
- Pick the HBI No Show Mesh 12 in roll if you want to try no show mesh on a shorter roll.
- Pick the HBI No Show Mesh 15 in roll if your pieces are wide and the fabric is light.
If you're still unsure, name your fabric first, then the design density, then the hoop you use.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
-
1
-
2
-
3
Frequently asked questions
What is a cutaway stabilizer?
A cutaway stabilizer is a backing that stays in the finished piece and supports the design for good. You hoop it under the fabric, stitch, then trim the extra close to the stitches, which suits knits, fleece, denim and other fabric that stretches or moves.
Is no show mesh a cutaway stabilizer?
Yes, no show mesh is a cutaway stabilizer made of a soft, semitransparent mesh, so the backing doesn't show through light colored knits, polo shirts or tees. It's light, so New brothread suggests a layer of light tear away underneath for denser designs.
Which cutaway weight should you buy?
The solid rolls here are all 2.5 oz medium weight, which New brothread ties to light to medium stitch density and HBI ties to medium to dense designs. Match the weight to your design, and add layers for much denser work, as New brothread suggests.
Should you use cutaway or water soluble on towels?
Use a water soluble topping on the surface of a towel, since it keeps stitches from sinking into the loops and rinses away. Cutaway is a permanent backing that stays inside the piece, so it's the pick for knits, fleece and denim rather than a topping.
