Using two light layers of tearaway pulled off one at a time is a technique that can avoid a distortion problem. However, this procedure is relatively expensive and time consuming. Finally, in choosing a tearaway, most embroiderers consider ease of tear, cleanness of tear, hoop stability and perforation resistance as important factors in their selection process. Tearaways can be used on most items but, in general, should be used with caution on exceptionally delicate or stretchy fabrics such as loosely knit sweaters. Cutaways Cutaways are needed to provide a stable base for delicate and stretchy fabrics both during the stitching process and afterward.
Some fabrics are so stretchy that they can actually force themselves down the throat plate.
A cutaway not only helps maintain the crispness of a design's details during the embroidery process, but it also helps retain the design's shape after repeated washings. The experience of having an angry customer return a sagging or stretched design will help remind you of the advantages of cutaways. A quality embroiderer should insist that their cutaways are both washable and drycleanable. The accepted wisdom of cutaways is that you should not cut very close to the embroidery with your scissors and that a gliding scissor motion rather than a cutting one should be used. A cutaway that has some rigidity will enable a gliding scissor motion.