New Brothread Tear Away Stabilizer Roll Review
The New brothread tear away stabilizer is a 12 inch by 50 yard roll for firm woven fabric. It suits cotton, linen and other natural fibers, but it is the wrong pick for stretchy knits.
On this page (14 sections)
- Who the New brothread tear away stabilizer suits
- Specs at a glance
- Strengths
- Drawbacks
- How to use the roll
- What a good result looks like
- What the 1.8 oz weight covers
- Fit and sizing for common hoops
- Compared with the cut away roll from the same brand
- Who should skip it
- Before you buy: a short checklist
- Other New brothread rolls to consider
- Where it fits in a starter stabilizer set
- Verdict on the New brothread tear away stabilizer
The New brothread tear away stabilizer is a 12 inch wide, 50 yard roll of medium-weight polyester stabilizer for firm woven fabric. It works under cotton, linen and canvas, and it's the wrong pick for stretchy knits.
This review covers who the roll suits, its specs, its drawbacks and when a cutaway is the better choice. New brothread describes it as temporary support for embroidery.
Who the New brothread tear away stabilizer suits
This roll suits home embroiderers who stitch on firm woven fabric and want a stabilizer that comes off after stitching.
New brothread Tear Away Stabilizer, 12 in x 50 yd
- 12 in x 50 yd roll
- 1.8 oz medium weight
- 100% polyester
- Tears away after stitching
A medium-weight tearaway roll for woven cotton, linen and other natural fibers. New brothread says the 12 inch width fits most hoops.
Pros
- 12 in width cuts pieces for many hoop sizes
- Medium weight for light to medium stitch density
- New brothread says the 100% polyester is acid and lead free
Cons
- Not for stretchy knits, where the design can distort
- Denser designs can need more than one layer
New brothread says its tear away is best on firmly woven fabrics and fabrics made from natural fibers. That covers woven cotton shirts, linen napkins, canvas totes and similar projects.
If you're still choosing a machine, our embroidery machines for beginners guide covers that side. The stabilizer depends mostly on the fabric you stitch, so start there.
Specs at a glance
The roll is 12 inches wide and 50 yards long, and New brothread calls its 1.8 oz weight medium.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Tear away |
| Size | 12 in wide, 50 yd roll |
| Weight | 1.8 oz (50 g), medium weight |
| Material | 100% polyester |
| Best on | Firmly woven fabric and natural fibers |
| Stitch density | Light to medium, with more than one layer for denser designs |
| Model number | NB-ES-TA-5008 |
New brothread also lists hoop embroidery, applique and computerized lace embroidery among the uses.
Strengths
The main strengths are the wide width, the medium weight and a clear job on woven cloth.
- Wide 12 inch width: New brothread says it fits most hoops, so one roll cuts pieces for many sizes.
- Medium weight: At 1.8 oz, it suits light to medium stitch density, which covers many everyday designs.
- Tears away easily: The brand describes it as temporary support that tears away easily while still giving adequate stability.
- Long roll: At 50 yards, the roll is 150 feet long, which cuts hundreds of 6 inch squares.
- Applique and lace: New brothread lists applique and computerized lace embroidery among its uses, so the roll covers more than plain monograms.
- Material: New brothread describes it as 100% polyester that is acid and lead free.
Drawbacks
The biggest drawback is that it's built for woven fabric, so stretchy knits are a poor fit and dense designs need an extra layer.
- Not for stretchy knits: A tearaway can't hold the design steady as the fabric stretches, so T-shirts and polos are better with a cutaway.
- Dense designs need more layers: New brothread says denser designs can take more than one layer, so heavy fills add a step.
- Tearing takes care: Pull too fast or too hard, and small or fine stitches can lift with the stabilizer.
- Check your hoop: The 12 inch width doesn't tell you the inside size of your hoop, so check your cut piece against your own hoop before you start.
How to use the roll
Cut a piece a little larger than your hoop, hoop it under the fabric, stitch, then tear the extra away.
Cut a tear away stabilizer piece for your hoop
Cut the piece a little larger than the hoop, so its edges stick out past the ring on every side.
Keep cut-off scraps away from pets, and bag them up after each project.
Hoop it with the fabric
Lay the stabilizer under the fabric and hoop both layers together, so the cloth sits flat under the design.
Pull the fabric taut in the hoop, but avoid stretching it, since stretching can warp the design on woven cloth.
Stitch and tear the extra away
After the design is done, tear the stabilizer away slowly, starting at the outer edge and working toward the stitching. Hold the fabric near the design as you pull, so the stitches don't lift.
Use snips to clear any small bits left in the stitches.
What a good result looks like
A good result has flat stitches, a design that hasn't shifted, and a back you can clear with a few snips.
Stitches should lie flat on the front, with no pulling or loose loops. Check the back once the stabilizer is off, and trim any stray fibers you can see.
Fixing puckers on woven fabric
When woven fabric puckers or shifts, check the hoop and the stabilizer size before you blame the roll.
Make sure the stabilizer extends past the outer ring, since a short piece can slip under the hoop as you stitch. If the fabric still shifts, tighten it in the hoop without stretching it, and test on a scrap before you stitch the real piece.
What the 1.8 oz weight covers
The roll is medium weight, which New brothread says suits light to medium stitch density.
At 1.8 oz (50 g), it's 0.7 oz lighter than New brothread's 2.5 oz cut away. New brothread lists the heavier cut away for knits, fleece and denim.
For much denser designs, New brothread says you can use more than one layer. Doubling up stretches the roll to heavier work, but it also uses the roll faster.
Fit and sizing for common hoops
New brothread says the 12 inch width fits most hoops, but you still need to measure your own.
Measure the inside opening of your hoop, then add room so the stabilizer extends past the outer ring on every side. Our guide to embroidery hoop sizes lists the common ones.
A 12 inch strip gives you room to cut pieces for several hoops from one length. Mark each cut piece with the hoop it's meant for, so you don't mix them up.
Compared with the cut away roll from the same brand
New brothread's 12 inch cut away roll is the same size as this tear away, so the difference is weight and fabric use.
Both rolls are 12 inches wide and 50 yards long, and both are 100% polyester.
| Spec | Tear away (this roll) | Cut away (12 in x 50 yd) |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 12 in | 12 in |
| Length | 50 yd | 50 yd |
| Weight | 1.8 oz, medium | 2.5 oz, medium |
| Material | 100% polyester | 100% polyester |
| Best uses | Firm woven fabric | Knits, fleece and denim |
The cut away is heavier at 2.5 oz, against 1.8 oz for this tear away, and New brothread lists it as a best use for knits, fleece and denim.
Choose this tear away when the fabric is woven and you want the stabilizer to come off. Choose the cut away when the fabric stretches or you want permanent support in the garment.
If you buy both rolls, label each one by type, since the two come off in different ways.
Who should skip it
Skip this roll for stretchy knits, for very dense designs without a second layer, and for any project that needs permanent support.
- Knit tees and polos: T-shirts and polos stretch, so a cutaway keeps the design steady.
- Heavy fills: Dense designs need extra layers, so plan for more stabilizer per project.
- Permanent support: If you want the stabilizer to stay in the garment and help the design hold its shape after washing, choose a cutaway instead.
The cutaway vs tearaway comparison explains the switch, and our best cutaway stabilizers roundup lists options.
Before you buy: a short checklist
Check the fabric, the hoop and the design before you order a roll.
- Fabric: Does it stretch when you pull it? If it does, this roll is the wrong type.
- Hoop: Do you know the inside size of your hoop, and will the cut piece extend past the ring?
- Design: Is the stitch density light to medium? Dense designs need a second layer.
- Caps: Home machines need a cap hoop or cap frame, sold separately, so check that it lists your exact model.
Other New brothread rolls to consider
If your projects include knits, light-colored shirts or towels, New brothread sells rolls made for those jobs.
- Cut away, 12 in x 50 yd: A 2.5 oz roll that suits knits, fleece and denim.
- No show mesh: A soft, sheer mesh that New brothread says suits light-colored knits.
- Water soluble topping film: A clear film that goes on top of towels, velvet and corduroy.
For a wider look at knit and hat picks, see the best embroidery stabilizer for knits, towels and hats.
If you're new to stabilizer, read do you need stabilizer for embroidery before you buy any roll. Our fabric guide walks through matching each type to your cloth.
Where it fits in a starter stabilizer set
A tear away for woven cloth, a cut away for knits and a water soluble topping for towels cover most beginner projects. This roll handles the first job.
Our guide to how to use water soluble stabilizer covers the topping, and the cutaway roundup covers the knit side. Buy the second and third rolls only when your projects call for them.
Verdict on the New brothread tear away stabilizer
Pick this roll if you stitch cotton, linen or canvas and want a 12 inch medium-weight tear away on hand. Pick a cutaway instead if most of your projects are knit shirts, fleece or denim.
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. This roll scores 8.3 because it does one job well, and that job is firm woven fabric.
Frequently asked questions
Is New brothread tear away stabilizer good for beginners?
Yes, for woven fabric, because the job is simple: cut a piece, hoop it under the fabric, stitch, then tear the extra away. Stick to firm cloth like cotton and linen, and use a cutaway for stretchy knits such as T-shirts.
What fabric is tear away stabilizer best for?
New brothread says its tear away roll is best used on firmly woven fabrics and fabrics made from natural fibers, which covers cotton, linen and canvas. Skip it on stretchy knits, since the design can pull and pucker as the fabric moves.
Does a 12 inch roll fit my hoop?
New brothread says the 12 inch width lets you cut pieces to fit most hoops. Cut the stabilizer a little larger than your hoop so the edges stick out past the ring, then check the piece against your own hoop before you stitch.
How do you remove tear away stabilizer?
Tear the extra stabilizer off by hand after stitching, starting at the outer edge and working slowly toward the design. Pull gently near the stitches so they don't lift, and use snips to clear any small bits that stay in the stitches.
