Best Water Soluble Stabilizers for Machine Embroidery
The best water soluble stabilizers for machine embroidery include the HBI Wash Away Water Soluble Roll for most home embroidery projects, the Sulky Solvy Water Soluble Stabilizer for design templates and pattern guides, and the HBI Wash Away Clear Topping Film for towels, fleece and velvet.
On this page (11 sections)
- The 7 best water soluble stabilizers for embroidery in detail
- Side by side: form, size and dissolve method
- How we picked these seven water soluble stabilizers
- Topping or backing: which water soluble stabilizer does your project need?
- Which water soluble stabilizer for which fabric or job?
- How each water soluble stabilizer dissolves: cold water, warm water or steam
- Width, length and thickness: how much roll to buy
- How to hoop, stitch and rinse water soluble stabilizer
- Common mistakes with water soluble stabilizer
- Pair water soluble stabilizer with a cutaway backing
- Verdict: the best water soluble stabilizer for embroidery depends on your fabric
A water soluble stabilizer dissolves in water after you stitch, so no backing stays in the finished piece. Use it as a topping on towels and velvet, or as a light backing for lace and delicate fabric.
This roundup compares seven rolls, films and sheets by form, size and dissolve method, so you can match one to your fabric and your hoop. If you're new to the whole setup, start with embroidery machines for beginners.
Not sure a project needs stabilizer at all? Our guide on whether you need stabilizer for embroidery covers that first.
Our picks at a glance
-
1
Best for most home embroidery projectsHBI Wash Away Water Soluble Roll
9.2/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for design templates and pattern guidesSulky Solvy Water Soluble Stabilizer
9.0/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for towels, fleece and velvetHBI Wash Away Clear Topping Film
8.9/10 our score
See it on Amazon
- 4
Check itNew brothread Water Soluble Topping Film
Best for velvet and corduroy on a budget - 5
Check itPoolin Water Soluble Topping Film
Best for medium and large embroidery areas - 6
Check itNew brothread Sticky Water Soluble Sheets
Best for small pieces like pockets and cuffs - 7
Check itNew brothread Wash Away Stabilizer Roll
Best for free standing lace and light designs
The 7 best water soluble stabilizers for embroidery in detail
The HBI Wash Away roll scores highest because it's a 12 in roll that dissolves completely and also works with transfers and patterns. The New brothread wash away roll scores lowest because it's the lightest option, so it suits light to medium designs best.
HBI Wash Away Water Soluble Roll
- 12 in x 25 yd roll
- Dissolves completely after use
- Multi-type embroidery backing
- Works with iron-on transfer paper
A 12 in roll that dissolves completely. HBI calls it a multi-type backing that also works with transfer paper and water soluble patterns.
Pros
- Dissolves completely after stitching
- Wide enough to cut pieces for your hoop
- Works with transfer paper and water soluble patterns
Cons
- On towels and velvet, a topping film is the usual pick because it keeps stitches from sinking in
The HBI Wash Away roll is the one to buy if you want a single roll for most home projects. It's 12 in wide and 25 yd long, and HBI calls it a multi-type embroidery backing.
HBI says it dissolves completely after use, so nothing stays behind on delicate fabric. It also works with iron-on transfer paper and water soluble patterns, so one roll covers transfers as well as backing.
HBI also says it works alongside cutaway stabilizers and suits layered fabric projects. The 12 in width lets you cut pieces to fit your hoop, with room to spare on smaller hoops.
The drawback is fabric with a pile. On towels and velvet, a topping film is the usual pick because it keeps stitches from sinking in, so start with the HBI clear topping film below if those are your main fabrics.
Sulky Solvy Water Soluble Stabilizer
- 12 in x 9.5 yd roll
- Lightweight film
- Design template and pattern guide
- Acid free
The original lightweight Solvy film. Sulky says it suits designs where no stabilizer should show on top or bottom.
Pros
- Works as a template and pattern guide
- Leaves no stabilizer showing on top or bottom, Sulky says
- Acid free
Cons
- A light film, so denser designs need a backing underneath
- The shortest roll in this roundup at 9.5 yd
The Sulky Solvy is the pick when you want a lightweight film that also works as a design template. Sulky calls it the original lightweight water soluble stabilizer, and it's a 12 in roll, 9.5 yd long.
Sulky says you can use it as a design template, a pattern guide and a stitch support, and that it dissolves in water. It's also named as a transfer agent, so you can mark a design on the film before you stitch.
Sulky says it's ideal when you don't want any stabilizer to show on top or bottom, and it names monogramming, cutwork, buttonholes and heirloom sewing among its uses.
Sulky also calls it acid free, and it's a good first roll if you mostly stitch small, decorative pieces. The drawback is that a light film gives less support under dense stitching, so pair it with a backing for heavy designs.
At 9.5 yd, it's also the shortest roll in this roundup, so it suits a handful of projects rather than a long run.
HBI Wash Away Clear Topping Film
- Clear topping film
- 12 in x 15 yd roll
- Dissolves in warm water or steam
- Converted and packaged in the USA, HBI says
A clear film that keeps stitches visible on towels, fleece and velvet. HBI says it dissolves fully with no residue.
Pros
- Keeps lettering and details sharp on textured fabric
- Hoop it over the fabric or float it on top
- Excess tears away clean by hand
Cons
- HBI names warm water or steam for a full dissolve, so cold water is not the plan
The HBI clear topping film is for fabrics that swallow stitches, such as towels, fleece, velvet and corduroy. HBI says it keeps lettering and details sharp and visible on those textured fabrics.
It's a 12 in by 15 yd roll, and you can hoop it directly over the fabric or float it on top. HBI says it dissolves fully in warm water or steam with no residue, and the excess tears away clean by hand.
HBI also calls it a light stabilizer for washable projects, and says you can layer several sheets for added support. The continuous roll lets you cut exactly what each job needs, which HBI says reduces waste.
The drawback is the dissolve method. HBI names warm water or steam, so plan on a warm rinse rather than a cold one.
New brothread Water Soluble Topping Film
- 10 in x 10 yd roll
- 25 micron film
- Dissolves in cold or warm water
- Cut it to any size
A thin topping for high pile fabrics such as velvet, corduroy, terry and fleece. New brothread says it dissolves completely in cold or warm water.
Pros
- Built for velvet, corduroy, terry cloth and fleece
- Dissolves in cold or warm water
- Non-toxic, acid free and lead free, New brothread says
Cons
- Topping only, so it gives little support under the fabric
- The 10 in width leaves less room to cut than the 12 in rolls
The New brothread topping film is the budget pick for velvet, corduroy and other high pile fabrics. It's a 10 in by 10 yd roll of 25 micron film, and New brothread says it dissolves completely in cold or warm water.
New brothread says to use it on top of towels, velvet, corduroy, terry cloth, sweaters and fleece, where it keeps stitches from sinking in. You hoop it or lay it on the fabric, stitch, then put the finished piece in water.
The brand calls the roll economical and says you can cut it to any size, so cut each piece large enough to cover the whole design with room past the stitching. It also says the film is non-toxic, acid free and lead free.
The drawback is that it's a topping only, so it gives little support under the fabric. The 10 in width also leaves less room to cut than the 12 in rolls.
Poolin Water Soluble Topping Film
- 12 in x 25 yd roll
- 35 micron film
- Hoop it or pin it in place
- Warm water speeds the rinse, Poolin says
A 35 micron topping film for larger areas. Poolin says you can hoop it with the fabric or pin it on top.
Pros
- Wide roll for towels, apparel, lettering and logos
- Can be hooped or pinned in place
- Warm water speeds the rinse, Poolin says
Cons
- The 12 in width leaves more film to trim for a small hoop
The Poolin topping film is a 12 in by 25 yd roll for medium and large embroidery areas. Poolin describes it as a 35 micron film that helps reduce premature tearing and shifting while you stitch.
Poolin names towels, fleece, velvet and knits as the fabrics where it keeps stitches visible. You can hoop it with the fabric, or cut a piece to cover the design and pin it in place.
After stitching, Poolin says to remove the excess film and rinse the stitched area, and that warm water speeds up the process. Its 35 micron film is thicker than the 25 micron New brothread film.
At 25 yd, the roll covers a lot of towels or lettering jobs, which suits repeat work. The drawback is the 12 in width, which leaves more film to trim when you only need a small hoop.
New brothread Sticky Water Soluble Sheets
- 6 sheets, 8.5 x 11 in
- Self-adhesive back
- Print, copy or draw on it
- Dissolves in cold or warm water
A self-adhesive sheet for pockets, cuffs and collars. New brothread says it helps avoid hoop marks on napped fabric.
Pros
- No basting spray needed
- You can print, copy or draw the design on it
- Works as backing or topping, New brothread says
Cons
- Printer ink may not dissolve, so use a water erasable pen on light fabric
- Only six sheets in a pack
The New brothread sticky sheets are for small pieces that shift or leave hoop marks. Each of the six 8.5 x 11 in sheets has a self-adhesive back, so you can hold a piece in place without basting spray.
New brothread names pockets, cuffs, collars and socks as good jobs. It also says the sheets help avoid hoop marks on velvet, corduroy, towel and fleece.
You can print, copy or draw a design on the sheet, then peel off the release sheet and stick it in place. The sheets dissolve in cold or warm water, and New brothread says they work as a backing or a topping.
The brand adds that they help get hand embroidery, cross stitch and quilting patterns onto a project fabric.
The drawback is printer ink, which New brothread says may not dissolve completely. On light fabric, draw with a water erasable marking pen instead, and note that six sheets is a small pack.
New brothread Wash Away Stabilizer Roll
- 10 in x 25 yd roll
- 1.5 oz (40 g) weight
- Dissolves in cold or warm water
- Works as backing or topping
A light 1.5 oz roll for light to medium stitch density. New brothread says it's most widely used for free standing lace.
Pros
- Light and easy to cut and hoop
- Dissolves completely in cold or warm water
- Works as both backing and topping, New brothread says
Cons
- Denser designs need more than one layer
The New brothread wash away roll is the lightest option, made for free standing lace and light to medium designs. It's 10 in wide and 25 yd long, and New brothread calls it a 1.5 oz (40 g) stabilizer.
New brothread says it dissolves completely in cold or warm water and works as a backing or a topping. The brand names washable fabric and high pile fabric such as terry cloth, towels and fleece, and says it's most widely used for free standing lace.
New brothread sells it as a cut to size roll for machine embroidery and free standing lace. For much denser designs, the brand says you can use more than one layer.
The drawback is that same light build, since a dense design on a single layer may not get enough support.
Side by side: form, size and dissolve method
Form decides whether a roll works as a topping or a backing, and the dissolve method decides how you rinse it. Check both before you look at size.
| Product | Best for | Size | Form | Dissolves in | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HBI Wash Away Water Soluble Roll | most home embroidery projects | 12 in x 25 yd | Wash away roll | Water | 9.2 |
| Sulky Solvy Water Soluble Stabilizer | design templates and pattern guides | 12 in x 9.5 yd | Lightweight film | Water | 9.0 |
| HBI Wash Away Clear Topping Film | towels, fleece and velvet | 12 in x 15 yd | Clear topping film | Warm water or steam | 8.9 |
| New brothread Water Soluble Topping Film | velvet and corduroy on a budget | 10 in x 10 yd | Topping film | Cold or warm water | 8.5 |
| Poolin Water Soluble Topping Film | medium and large embroidery areas | 12 in x 25 yd | Topping film | Water, warm is faster | 8.4 |
| New brothread Sticky Water Soluble Sheets | small pieces like pockets and cuffs | 6 sheets, 8.5 x 11 in | Sticky sheets | Cold or warm water | 8.2 |
| New brothread Wash Away Stabilizer Roll | free standing lace and light designs | 10 in x 25 yd | Lightweight roll | Cold or warm water | 8.0 |
Three of the seven are topping films for towels, velvet and fleece. The other four are backing rolls, a lightweight film and sticky sheets.
How we picked these seven water soluble stabilizers
We compared each product's form, size and dissolve method, then checked the uses each brand names.
Form came first, because a topping film and a backing roll do different jobs. Dissolve method came next, since some products name cold water and others name warm water or steam.
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. Products that name a clear use and a dissolve method scored higher, since those two details decide whether a stabilizer fits your project.
The picks lean on what each brand says about its own product, so check the package before you rinse.
Topping or backing: which water soluble stabilizer does your project need?
Pick a topping when the fabric has a pile that swallows stitches, and pick a backing when the design needs support under the fabric.
Toppings for towels, velvet and fleece
A topping sits on the fabric, so stitches stay on the surface of terry cloth, velvet and corduroy. The HBI clear film, the New brothread 10 in film and the Poolin film all fit this job.
Tear off the bulk of the film after stitching, then rinse until the surface is clear. For knits, towels and hats together, see the best stabilizer for knits, towels and hats.
Backing rolls and sheets for light designs and lace
A backing sits under the fabric and holds it steady while the design stitches. The HBI roll is the general pick, the Sulky Solvy adds a built-in template, and the New brothread wash away roll suits light designs and lace.
Free standing lace is stitched on stabilizer alone, so the stabilizer has to wash out completely when you're done. New brothread says its wash away roll is most widely used for lace, and that it dissolves completely and leaves no backing behind.
Layering a water soluble stabilizer for denser designs
Two brands mention layers. HBI says you can layer several sheets of its clear film for added support, and New brothread says more than one layer of its wash away roll suits much denser designs.
Test on scrap fabric first, then add layers until the stitches look clean.
Which water soluble stabilizer for which fabric or job?
Match the fabric or job to the form first, then pick the roll that fits your hoop.
| Fabric or job | Use it as | Pick from this roundup |
|---|---|---|
| Towels and terry cloth | Topping | HBI clear topping film |
| Velvet and corduroy | Topping | New brothread topping film |
| Fleece and larger lettering areas | Topping | Poolin topping film |
| Pockets, cuffs and collars | Sticky backing | New brothread sticky sheets |
| Delicate or washable fabric | Backing | HBI Wash Away roll |
| Free standing lace | Backing | New brothread wash away roll |
| Design templates and pattern guides | Template | Sulky Solvy |
How each water soluble stabilizer dissolves: cold water, warm water or steam
Only the New brothread products name cold water, while HBI names warm water or steam for its clear film. Check the method before you buy, because the products here don't all rinse the same way.
- Cold or warm water: the New brothread wash away roll, topping film and sticky sheets.
- Warm water or steam: the HBI clear topping film.
- Warm water speeds the rinse: the Poolin topping film.
- Water, with no temperature named: the HBI Wash Away roll and the Sulky Solvy.
If you'd rather rinse in cold water, pick a New brothread product. For the others, rinse in warm water and check the stitches afterward.
Width, length and thickness: how much roll to buy
Width sets the largest piece you can cut, and length sets how many projects one roll lasts.
Width for your hoop
The HBI, Sulky and Poolin rolls are 12 in wide, which leaves the most room to cut. The New brothread rolls are 10 in wide and the sticky sheets are 8.5 x 11 in, so check the width against the largest hoop you use.
Length for how often you stitch
The three 25 yd rolls last longest, the HBI clear film is 15 yd, and the New brothread topping film is 10 yd. The Sulky Solvy at 9.5 yd and the six sheets suit occasional projects.
For a sense of scale, a 25 yd roll is 900 in long, so it gives about 90 pieces cut 10 in long. The 9.5 yd Sulky roll gives about 34 pieces of the same length.
Film thickness is stated for two products. Poolin's film is 35 microns and New brothread's topping film is 25 microns.
How to hoop, stitch and rinse water soluble stabilizer
Hoop the stabilizer with the fabric or lay a topping on top, stitch the design, then rinse the piece. For the full steps, read how to use water soluble stabilizer for embroidery.
Cut the stabilizer larger than the hoop so the fabric sits on a full, flat layer. For a small area, cut a topping piece to cover the design and pin it in place, as Poolin describes for its film.
Keep pins outside the stitching area, and pull them before the needle reaches them.
Rinse a water soluble stabilizer until the film is gone
Remove the extra film, then rinse the stitched area until the film is gone and let the piece dry flat. Check the stitches for leftover film and rinse again if you see any.
Keep stabilizer scraps away from pets, and sweep up trimmed bits as you work.
Common mistakes with water soluble stabilizer
Most problems come from printing with ink, skipping the rinse or asking a light film to do too much.
- Printing with a home printer. New brothread says printer ink may not dissolve completely, so use a water erasable marking pen on light fabric.
- Skipping the rinse. Leftover film is easy to miss, so rinse until the stitched area is clear.
- Using a topping as the only support. A topping gives little support under the fabric, so add a backing when the design is dense.
- Cutting the piece too small. A short piece can slip in the hoop, so leave a clear margin past the hoop edge.
Pair water soluble stabilizer with a cutaway backing
A water soluble film gives little support under the fabric, so a dense design on a knit or stretchy fabric often needs a cutaway backing with the film on top. Our roundup of the best cutaway stabilizers for embroidery covers the permanent options.
The rule of thumb is simple: the topping handles the surface, and the backing handles the support. If a project needs only one, choose by fabric first.
Verdict: the best water soluble stabilizer for embroidery depends on your fabric
The HBI Wash Away roll is the best water soluble stabilizer for embroidery if you want one roll for most home projects. Pick another when your fabric or design points elsewhere.
- Pick the HBI Wash Away roll if you want one 12 in roll for backing, transfers and patterns.
- Pick the Sulky Solvy if you need a design template or want no stabilizer to show on top or bottom.
- Pick the HBI clear topping film if towels, fleece or velvet are your main fabrics.
- Pick the New brothread topping film if velvet or corduroy is your focus and you want a budget roll.
- Pick the Poolin topping film if your embroidery areas are medium or large and you want a 12 in roll.
- Pick the New brothread sticky sheets if you're stitching small pieces that shift under the hoop.
- Pick the New brothread wash away roll if your designs are light to medium, or you stitch free standing lace.
If you're still unsure, name your fabric first, then the design density, then your hoop. The chart in how to choose an embroidery stabilizer by fabric walks through each fabric.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
-
1
Best for most home embroidery projects
HBI Wash Away Water Soluble Roll
9.2/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for design templates and pattern guides
Sulky Solvy Water Soluble Stabilizer
9.0/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for towels, fleece and velvet
HBI Wash Away Clear Topping Film
8.9/10 our score
See it on Amazon
Frequently asked questions
What is water soluble stabilizer used for?
A water soluble stabilizer supports fabric while you stitch, then dissolves in water so no backing stays in the finished piece. Use it as a backing under delicate fabric or lace, or as a topping on towels and velvet so stitches don't sink in.
Does water soluble stabilizer dissolve in cold water?
Some do, but it depends on the product: New brothread says its wash away roll, topping film and sticky sheets dissolve in cold or warm water, while HBI names warm water or steam for its clear topping film. Rinse until no film is left in the stitches.
Can you use water soluble stabilizer on towels?
Yes, a water soluble topping film is the usual choice for towels because it keeps stitches from sinking into the loops. The HBI clear film, the Poolin film and the New brothread 10 in film all name towels, and you rinse away what's left after stitching.
How big should the stabilizer be for a hoop?
Cut it larger than the hoop, so the fabric sits on a full, flat layer with a margin on every side. The 12 in rolls leave the most room to cut, and the sticky sheets suit small pieces that would otherwise need basting spray.
