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One of my favorite tricks for reusing non-sticky washable fabrics or water-soluble stabilizers (WSS) is to trim strips from the edge of a used piece of stabilizer and then baste them together to form a rectangle, just like cutting them off. After cutting the stabilizer from the back of the embroidered pattern, cut a wide strip off each of the four (4) sides of the remainder. A rotary knife and a ruler are helpful in this. This effectively trims uneven edges surrounding the center hole. After collecting a few of these strips, lightly overlap the edges and sew them together, both along and sometimes across, depending on the relative length of the strips, using 4-5 mm basting with water-soluble thread in the needle and spool. Once the piece is large enough to fit the hoop, this stabilizer patchwork can be reused, although this new piece is not as secure as the solid piece and should be used for lighter applications or covered with a nylon organza for an embroidered decoupage technique.
Another trick with WSS is to dissolve the scraps in water with a little rubbing alcohol to make a liquid stabilizer that can then be painted over the fabric to be embroidered. Any leftovers are best kept in a refrigerator in a covered glass jar, otherwise they may mold. This works for all different types of WSS, both fabric-like and plastic.
For serger overlock and souvenir sewing enthusiasts, the fabric-like form of the water-soluble stabilizer is handy and cut into strips. After removing the WSS from the embroidery, cut strips approximately 2 inches wide parallel to the edge of the remaining WSS. These strips can be used on a serger to create a blanket stitch or on a conventional machine to undo decorative stitches or to support edge stitches that may come off the edge of the fabric.
Small pieces of WSS-like plastic can be reused as overlays for other embroidery. Pieces that are too small even for this can be joined together in several different ways to create a larger, more useful piece.
One simple way is to slightly moisten the edges of the sections to make them sticky but not enough to dissolve them, and then apply these edges to the edges of the other sections, sticking them together. Let them dry before sewing or embroidering on the newly created sheet.
A second useful technique for making larger, thicker, and more durable pieces similar to WSS plastic is to squeeze the smaller pieces together with an iron. Place a plain piece of paper such as copy paper, parchment paper, or a brown paper bag on the ironing surface. Arrange the WSS overlapping pieces on this piece and cover with another plain piece of paper. You can also use applique or a Teflon sheet, but paper will do. Press the pieces together with the iron low. When cool, use just like a regular WSS sheet.
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Source by Sherilyn Roach