How to Use Stick and Stitch Embroidery Patterns: A Complete Guide

What are Stick and Stitch embroidery patterns and why use them?

Our popular stick and stitch patterns are pre-printed on water-soluble stabilizer, then cut out by hand, creating ready-to-stitch designs that are easy to apply and easy to wash away. And you get to avoid the hassle of having to hand-trace designs onto your fabric, which can often lead to uneven or imprecise stitch lines. These printed lines stay sharp and clear, providing reliable guides for stitching. Plus, if you make a mistake tracing that ends up being outside the design, it might be hard to cover up with stitches.

As a bonus, these dissolvable stickers also help stabilize your fabric while you work, and they’re ideal for projects where tracing is tricky, like on dark fabric, or clothing and tote bags.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Using Stick and Stitch Patterns

Applying Stick and Stitch to Fabric

Peel off the backing from the pre-printed stabilizer and place the sticky side directly onto your fabric. Press down firmly, making sure to smooth out any bubbles or edges that might lift. To ensure a secure bond, press around the entire sticker for at least 10 seconds. The friction and warmth from your hands will help with adhesion.

Embroidering the Design

Place your fabric into an embroidery hoop if possible to keep it taut (unless stitching on clothing, see below for more on that).

Shorter stitches are ideal for detailed designs and will prevent the fabric from bunching. Keep your thread tension even for smooth results - too tight and the fabric may pucker; too loose and the stitches will look limp.

Some people find stick-and-stitch paper slightly harder to pierce than fabric alone. Using a sharp needle and making sure the stabilizer is firmly adhered to the fabric - with no gaps between the pattern and fabric - will make stitching much easier.

Rinsing Off Stick and Stitch Stabilizer

Once your embroidery is complete, trim away any excess stabilizer around the edges of the design. Soak your fabric in warm water for 5 to 15 minutes to dissolve the remaining stabilizer. Running water over the design and gently rubbing stubborn areas will help remove any remaining pieces. Let your project air dry flat, or place it in the dryer if the fabric allows.

If your stitches feel stiff after drying, give the project another rinse to soften them.

Embroidering on Clothing

Choose Simple Designs

Start with smaller, simple patterns to avoid stretching or distorting the fabric. Use shorter stitches, as they will be less likely to catch and will hold up better over time.

Using a Hoop

To avoid leaving a hoop ring on your fabric, keep the fabric slightly loose when tightening it in the hoop. If a ring does still remain, a quick press with an iron or a gentle wash usually does the trick to remove it.

Protect You and Your Work

Secure your stitches with tight knots to prevent unraveling during washing. For added durability, apply an iron-on stabilizer to the back of your embroidery. For sensitive skin, use a soft-touch stabilizer to cover your stitches.

Use Quality Thread

High-quality embroidery thread, like DMC, prevents colors from fading or bleeding in the wash. Cheaper threads can ruin your design and your garment.

More Stick and Stitch Tips

Keep a consistent stitch tension

This applies even if you aren't using stick and stitch, and may take a little practice, but it's like Goldilocks and her porridge temperature - you don't want your stitches too tight or too loose.

Securing the pattern

To keep the stabilizer in place on stretchier fabrics, small areas, or large designs that take time to stitch, add a few running stitches around the edges. If the stabilizer starts to lift, this will help secure it.

Once you're done, snip those stitches before rinsing off the stabilizer. If small holes remain, gently rub the eye of a needle across them to help the fabric recover - just make sure your fabric is self-healing before adding the stitches.

Avoid humid conditions

In hot or humid weather, the stabilizer may become more difficult to work with, and your needle may resist going through the stabilizer and fabric smoothly. Try working in a cool, dry environment if possible.

Fixing sticky needles

If your needle does becomes sticky, simply clean it with a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a small cloth and ensure it’s dry before continuing.

Stick 'n Stitch stabilizer is a product of Sulky of America, Inc.