The Skinny on Solvy: what is it and why do I need it?

The Skinny on Solvy: what is it and why do I need it?

Sticky Fabri-Solvy™ is the stuff embroidery dreams are made of. Seriously.

I’m going to take you through Sulky Sticky Fabri Solvy, how you use it, why you would use it and why it just makes life better.

what is Sticky Fabri-Solvy?

Sulky USA is the company that manufactures a variety of fabric stabilizers, the one I’m focusing on is the one I have the most experience using – Sulky Sticky Fabri Solvy™, also known as Stick n’ Stitch™. Two different names, with different branding, that are the EXACT SAME product (I have actually emailed them to ask – from their side it all sits under one product number!). So despite difference in appearance,

This version comes in 8 1/2 x 11″ sheets, is made to be fed through a printer, and one side is sticky so it can adhere very well onto felt and fabrics (my main use). After you pull it off of the sticky backing, it’s similar to a lightweight interfacing so it really sits nicely on the fabric for stitching (as opposed to a paper version which I have tried without much success). It’s nice and thin so it’s easy for a needle to get through, and it’s adequately sticky. After you have completed your embroidery, the stabilizer dissolves in water. Afterwards, you just lay your work flat to dry and then it’s ready for any next steps.

If you are like me, and enjoy creating your own images for embroidery using a computer, or if you have found a pattern online and would like to follow it exactly, this stuff is for you!

how can i use it?

A friend asked me to design her an Angel Tree Topper Doll made of fabric and such. I wanted to add some embroidered snowflakes and some embroidered lettering so I created my design on the computer, printed on the Fabri-Solvy and completed the stitching so professionally!

  You can see this photo top left is from before I washed away the Solvy.

I designed my Nativity Scene Series with the help of Solvy, to get all of the detailed embroidery and beadwork just right! Even for cutting out precise and small shapes out of fabric and felt, it really gives your scissors something to grip on!

    

These are some Nativity characters from my Nativity Scene pattern series. All of the small pattern pieces, embroidery and beadwork were completed using Sulky!

Tips & Tricks

Some useful things I have learned when working with Sticky Fabri-Solvy:

* It is important to have your printer in draft mode. It’s a nice preventative that you don’t risk any ink transferred to your fabric.

* Be careful if you get clammy hands – I find when I’m embroidering outside in the summer heat, if my hands get sweaty enough it can almost start to break down the Solvy prematurely!

* Around french knots and any bead or sequin work, you may need to gently use your finger nail to coax off Solvy hiding underneath.

*If you don’t have a printer, I have had success transferring designs using a pencil (not too sharp or it could rip through the stabilizer) to hand-create the design and then used the Solvy as instructed.

* I have left it adhered onto wool felt for almost a year, then went back to the project and it was just fine, though I can’t speak for other fabrics!

* Keep it stored flat and in a plastic bag. Longterm exposure to the air could cause the edges to curl and make it difficult to feed through your printer.  That's why I always ship it in a resealable bag!

Looking for Solvy? I retail it in my Etsy shop and ship to worldwide locations!

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