In recent years, fabric stabilizers have risen in popularity. These stabilizers are helpful when you're stitching complicated projects or stitching on light-weight materials. Many stitchers like to use stabilizers when they machine cross stitch, but you'll also find them helpful when you cross stitch by hand. Stabilizers reinforce the fabric so it is stronger and able to resist tears and maintain its shape.

You'll find stabilizers categorized by the method you use to remove them. For instance, you need to wash some stabilizers out of the fabric after you complete your project. Another type of stabilizer many stitchers use attaches to the fabric, and then you cut away any excess after stitching your design.

Similar to the cut-away type of stabilizer is one you attach and then simply tear away the excess. Finally, you can find stabilizers that you remove with heat by ironing. All of these stabilizers are fairly easy to use.

When you're stitching a project on thin or delicate material, you'll definitely want to consider a stabilizer. The stabilizer will give the material strength and keep it from puckering as you stitch. For instance, if you're stitching a design on a t-shirt or other knit fabric, the lightweight material may sag and even tear under the weight of a cross stitch design. You can use a stabilizer to strengthen the fabric while you stitch the pattern. A good choice with a knit fabric is a stabilizer that you cut away once you complete the stitching.

Here are some additional thoughts to keep in mind about stabilizers:

* Because several options exist, do research before you buy a particular type of stabilizer. Consider not only the material you're stitching but also whether the project will be displayed or worn. Some stabilizers remove more completely than others. Washable stabilizers completely disappear, while tear-away and cut-away stabilizers don't.

* If you are creating a complicated pattern with many stitches, you'll want to consider a heavy-weight stabilizer to keep the fabric stiff and prevent pulling. Another option is to use several layers of the stabilizer to reinforce the fabric.

* If you are working on a fabric that has a pile, such as terry cloth, you'll want to use a stabilizer that goes on top of the fabric. This will help you keep the pile stable while you stitch.

* Many experts recommend you use stabilizers that tear away when you are working with cotton or soft fabrics. If, however, you're working with a thin or delicate fabric, you may be better off with a stabilizer you cut away or a washable stabilizer.

* You may want to test the stabilizer on a small sample of the fabric before you start a large project. Adhere the stabilizer to the fabric and stitch a few sample stitches. Then remove the stabilizer, and see how the fabric appears once the stabilizer has been removed.

* Don't be intimidated by all of your choices when it comes to stabilizers. If you're unsure which stabilizer to use and your pattern doesn't contain any information, ask for help at your local craft store. You also can find additional information about each stabilizer on the product itself.

When it comes to stabilizers, be creative and have fun. Stabilizers can help you produce cross stitch projects using fabrics you may have been reluctant to try before now. Thanks to the many options, you can easily stitch on an assortment of materials. If you take advantage of the choices, you'll be able to produce unique and unusual cross stitch projects that will really showcase your stitching talents.