Echidna Medium Softaway/Tearaway Stabilizer
20" x 10yds (50cm x 9m)
Echidna Softaway is a multipurpose tearaway stabilizer which is perfect to stabilize your designs when embroidering on woven or stable fabrics. It occupies a unique "hybrid" space in the embroidery world. Because it blends the properties of wood pulp (natural, stiff) with polyester (synthetic, soft, durable), it offers several advantages that a standard 100% cellulose (paper-like) tearaway cannot match. While it might not give that satisfying "paper snap" when torn, here are the primary benefits:
Superior Softness Against The Skin
This is an important benefit for our Softaway product. Standard tearaways can leave behind stiff, scratchy edges that irritate the skin, especially after the first few washes. The polyester fibres ensure that the remaining stabilizer (under the stitches) stays soft. This makes it ideal for baby clothes, lingerie, and lightweight t-shirts.
Multi-Directional Stability
Traditional crisp tearaways are often directional—they tear easily in one direction but resist in the other. The wetlaid process in Softaway/Tearaway creates a random fibre orientation. This provides more uniform "hoop stability," meaning the fabric is less likely to shift or distort during high-stitch-count designs compared to a cheap, linear tearaway.
Resistance to "Needle Perforation"
If a design is very dense, a traditional crisp tearaway can sometimes "perforate" (like a postage stamp) and fall out of the hoop before the design is finished.The polyester fibres in Softaway/Tearaway act as a reinforcement. They hold the embroidery stitches securely in place even during heavy fill stitches, preventing the "pop-out" effect that ruins alignment.
Better Laundering Durability
Wood pulp breaks down significantly in water. If a design relies solely on a paper-like tearaway, the stitches can lose their foundation after a few washes, leading to puckering. The polyester component in Softaway/Tearaway doesn't wash away. It provides a permanent, yet flexible, foundation that keeps the embroidery looking crisp for the life of the garment.
Reduced Fabric Stress
Because it doesn't "snap" aggressively, it puts less stress on the embroidery thread and the fabric fibers when the excess is being removed. It is much safer for delicate knits or performance fabrics where a violent "rip" might cause the fabric to run or the stitches to distort.
Pro-tip for best results: Because Softaway is reinforced for durability, it does not "snap" like a piece of paper. To maintain the beauty of your stitches, simply use a bit of extra care during removal—support the stitches with one hand while gently pulling the stabilizer away with the other. This small step ensures your fabric stays pristine and your embroidery remains soft.
| Feature | Traditional Tearaway | Softaway (Polyester/Pulp) |
|---|---|---|
| Tear Cleanliness | Excellent/Crisp | Moderate/Slightly Fuzzy edge |
| After-Wash Feel | Can be scratchy | Remains soft |
| Stitch Density | Better for light/medium | Handles high density better |
Roll size: 20" x 10yds (50cm x 9m)
Two bulk rolls available:
20" x 50yds (50cm x 45m) →
10" x 109yds (25cm x 100m) →
Compare stabilizers
Read our stabilizer guide to compare stabilizers and find out which one to use with your project.
Barcode: 785459687957
Easy to use
By: Lyn on 21 May 2023An easy to use product that’s reliable
(5)
Great bulk buy
By: Lisa on 24 January 2023I love these rolls of stabiliser. Makes it so much easier to store and cut. Unlike other tear away stabilisers I’ve found this one harder to tear when embroidering or fixing mistakes, and at the same time easy to tear away once you have finished.
(5)
Softaway/Tearawa Stabilizer
By: Debbie on 15 December 2022As I am new to the craft of embroidery , I've found the echidna range of stabilizers invaluable. The descriptions for use of their products are excellent as are the performance of the stabilizers especially the medium softaway/tearaway. I'd recommend this product to any new or experienced embroiderer. Thank you Echidna
(5)
Stabilizer Guide
Stabilizers are an essential part of machine embroidery. These thin layers of backing material keep your fabric from stretching or puckering during the stitching process. Knowing which stabilizer to use for your projects is a skill which you can master with practice. In our stabilizer guide below...
Read more
Echidna is Australia’s expert in Brother machines and supplies, offering a wide range of high-quality products, including our own designs for sewing, embroidery, and crafts, ensuring a seamless experience.
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