The layer that makes the difference
A collar that sits neatly. A bag that holds its shape. Embroidery that stays beautifully supported. The right interfacing or stabiliser helps your fabric do the job you have in mind.
Start with your project, then choose the kind of support it needs.
Support without the bulk
An extra layer inside your fabric adds body, helps edges hold their shape and supports details such as collars, cuffs, facings and pockets.
Choose fusible to bond with an iron, or sew-in to stitch in place. Match the weight and feel to your fabric and pattern.
Explore interfacing →
Shape, softness & structure
Foam gives bags and pouches soft, cushioned body. Firmer supports help baskets, wallets and other shaped projects keep their form.
Soft structure and firm structure feel different. Check whether your pattern calls for foam, Decovil or an ultra-firm support such as Peltex.
Explore bag & craft support →
Give your stitches a foundation
A backing supports fabric during stitching. Choose it to suit the fabric, design and whether support needs to remain afterwards.
Cut-away stays behind the stitches. Excess tear-away is removed. Wash-away rinses out. A topping has a separate job above the fabric.
Explore embroidery support →Project illustrations show possible uses. Finished projects, fabrics and patterns are not included with the support products.
Now you see it…
Some stabilisers are only needed while you stitch. Water-soluble products dissolve when rinsed, leaving your work free of that temporary layer.
For hand stitchery: printable, self-adhesive sheets can carry your design onto fabric. Sulky Stick N Stitch is a useful place to start.
For machine embroidery: OESD AquaMesh is a wash-away backing used for projects such as freestanding lace. The design must be made for that technique.
For towels and fluffy fabrics: Stitch2O topping sits on top to help keep stitches from sinking into the pile. It does not replace the backing underneath.
Use wash-away only when the fabric and threads can be rinsed safely. Test first, follow the removal directions and rinse out the residue thoroughly.
A useful starting point
These are starting points, rather than automatic substitutes. Your fabric, pattern and embroidery design determine the final choice.
| I’m making… | Look for… | Explore these options |
|---|---|---|
| Collars, cuffs, pockets or a cotton pouch | Interfacing for body and a neat finish; choose the weight and fusible or sew-in method your project needs. |
Pellon SF101 woven fusible Lightweight sew-in interfacing |
| A softly structured bag, pouch or organiser | Foam for cushioned shape. Check one-sided, double-sided fusible or sew-in construction. |
ByAnnie Soft and Stable — sew-in Pellon one-sided fusible foam |
| A shaped basket, structured wallet or craft project | Firm support. Flexible Decovil and ultra-firm Peltex give different results. |
Decovil Light fusible Peltex sew-in ultra-firm |
| Embroidery on a knit or stretchy fabric | A suitable cut-away backing that keeps supporting the stitches after excess is trimmed away. |
Cut Away Plus midweight OESD StabilStick CutAway |
| Embroidery on a stable woven fabric | A suitable tear-away can provide temporary support; match its weight and layers to the design. |
Stitch N Sew tear-away OESD fusible tear-away |
| Hand stitchery with a design to follow | Printable or traceable wash-away sheets, when the whole project can be rinsed. |
Sulky Stick N Stitch Print-Stitch-Dissolve |
| Embroidery on a towel or other fabric with pile | A topping above the fabric, plus suitable backing underneath. | Stitch2O topping |
A soft pouch, a shaped wallet and a standing basket need different support. Start with the feel you want, then check the pattern’s recommended product.
Foam adds cushioned body; firm stabilisers add shape. They are not interchangeable just because both help a project stand up.
Find support for bags & crafts →
Printed grids can help arrange fabric pieces and plan accurate layouts. Fusible grids hold pieces for the next sewing steps, following the product’s method.
Check the grid size before choosing. Tracing and fitting grids are a different tool—Pellon 810 Tru-Grid is for pattern planning, rather than a fusible patchwork backing.
Explore grids & printed panels →The names, made simpler
Fusible products have an adhesive that bonds with heat. Sew-in products are held by stitching. Fusible does not mean washable-away: these are separate features. Follow the product’s pressing instructions, including cooling time.
Woven interfacing has a fabric-like construction and a grain to follow. Non-woven interfacing has bonded fibres and comes in many weights. Neither name tells you the firmness on its own—check the individual product and test the feel with your fabric.
Cut-away remains under the design after excess is trimmed. Excess tear-away is carefully removed after stitching. Wash-away dissolves in water. Choose the removal method to suit both your fabric and the embroidery, rather than choosing only by price or appearance.
A backing supports the fabric from underneath. A topping sits above the fabric to help stitches stay visible on textured surfaces such as towelling. A topper usually works with an appropriate backing, rather than taking its place.
One-sided fusible foam bonds to fabric on one face. Double-sided foam can bond to fabric on both faces. Sew-in foam has no heat-activated adhesive. Match the construction method to the pattern before choosing.
Pellon: Shape-Flex · Pellon: Decovil Light · ByAnnie: Soft and Stable · OESD: stabiliser basics · Sulky: water-soluble stabilisers
