Stabilizer for performance fabric

For performance fabric, use no-show mesh plus light cut-away for a typical logo, no-show mesh, fusible if possible for light designs and medium cut-away (2.5 oz), fusible for dense ones. Topping: not usually needed. Needle: 70/10 or 75/11 ballpoint. Hoop gently or float the garment on sticky backing; magnetic hoops avoid hoop burn.

A navy piqué polo shirt with a small logo embroidered on the left chest
Backing for performance fabric by design density
DesignExamplesBacking
LightText, outlines, open designsNo-show mesh, fusible if possible
MediumA typical logoNo-show mesh plus light cut-away
DenseFull fills, patches, big logosMedium cut-away (2.5 oz), fusible

Topping

Not usually needed

Needle

70/10 or 75/11 ballpoint

Hooping

Hoop gently or float the garment on sticky backing; magnetic hoops avoid hoop burn.

Good to know

Keep designs lighter on thin athletic fabric: heavy fills make it stiff and can pucker.

In the digitizer

Settings tuned for performance fabric

Pick the Stretch (performance, jersey) fabric setting and Embrizo adjusts density, underlay and pull compensation for you before it makes the stitches.

Fill spacing
0.45 mm
Satin spacing
0.44 mm
Pull compensation
0.35 mm
Underlay
Heavy

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Designs made for performance fabric

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FAQ

Stabilizer questions

The quickest way to see what it does with your artwork is to try it. With a free account, digitizing and previewing cost nothing and take about a minute.

What stabilizer should I use for performance fabric?

For performance fabric, use no-show mesh plus light cut-away for a typical logo, no-show mesh, fusible if possible for light designs and medium cut-away (2.5 oz), fusible for dense ones. Topping: not usually needed. Needle: 70/10 or 75/11 ballpoint. Hoop gently or float the garment on sticky backing; magnetic hoops avoid hoop burn.

Do I need a topping on performance fabric?

Not usually needed. A water-soluble topping keeps stitches from sinking into piled or textured fabric and rinses away after sewing.

What needle is best for embroidering performance fabric?

70/10 or 75/11 ballpoint. Change it every 8 to 10 hours of sewing, or sooner if it starts to skip or snag.

How do I know if a design is light, medium or dense?

Light designs are mostly lettering, outlines and open line art; a typical logo with some fills is medium; patches and designs filled edge to edge are dense. The stitch count chart shows typical counts by size.

What digitizer settings suit performance fabric?

In Embrizo, pick the Stretch (performance, jersey) fabric setting: fill rows 0.45 mm apart, 0.35 mm pull compensation and heavy underlay, tuned for this kind of fabric.

Sizes for performance fabric

Other fabrics

Read: How to embroider a polo shirt

Ready to stitch on performance fabric?

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