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 Disintegrating Stabilizer
- Q: What is Sulky Heat-Away?
- A: Heat-Away is a heat disintegrating temporary stabilizer. Once your project is stitched, simply adjust your iron or ironing press to the temperature for linen (no steam, approximately 430 degrees F). Protect your ironing surface from the ash with a Teflon press cloth or brown bag. Protect delicate fabrics and uncoated irons with a press cloth between the Heat-Away and the iron. Iron (press) on the garment for 10-15 seconds, moving the iron slightly to compensate for steam holes, until the Heat-Away turns brown. Gently brush away the ash with a soft bristle brush (like an old soft toothbrush). If making Needlelace, place in a zip-lock bag to catch the ash and gently massage to remove the Heat-Away from the stitching. NEVER, NEVER EXPOSE TO LIQUIDS until all of the Heat-Away has been disintegrated. Any liquid will loosen the chemical that causes Heat-Away to disintegrate, allowing it to travel into your thread or fabric, making it disintegrate as well when a hot iron is applied.
- Q: When would I use Heat-Away Stabilizer?
- A: In cases where you would use a removable water soluble stabilizer like Sulky Solvy that does not require tearing, but when water removal is not an option. For techniques requiring a firm, fabric-like foundation. Do not use on fabrics or with fibers that cannot tolerate the heat necessary to disintegrate the Heat-Away.
- Q: Where would I use Heat-Away?
- A: Use it as a "topper" in machine embroidery or buttonholes when a water soluble stabilizer cannot be used -- such as on velvet and velveteen, and any dry cleanable fabric that has a nap. Some wearable art designers use it for battenburg lace and as a foundation for special free-motion work like machine spun lace (needlelace), bobbin lace, and faux weaving by machine. It's great to use as "the fabric" when making computerized embroidery motifs into "fabric-free" pins, magnets, etc.
- Q: Why would I use Heat-Away instead of another kind of Sulky Stabilizer?
- A: When you don't want to run the risk of either tearing out threads, having a permanent cut-away showing or when water removal is prohibited.
- Q: Are there any hints for removing and storing Heat-Away Stabilizer?
- A: Use a craft embossing or heat gun to remove any Heat-Away "pokies". Always cut away as much of the excess Heat-Away as possible before applying the iron for removal. Heat-Away must be protected against moisture, heat and sun -- store unused portions in a sealed zip-lock bag. Embroidered designs where Heat-Away is not removed at once should also be stored in a sealed zip-lock plastic bag.
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