Spray glue, particularly products like 505, is a popular tool in embroidery for a number of reasons:
Temporary Adhesion: 505 is a temporary adhesive. This means it creates a light, repositionable bond that holds fabrics and stabilizers together without making them permanently stuck. This is crucial for embroidery, where you need to keep layers from shifting during the stitching process but also need to be able to remove them easily afterward.
Eliminates Hooping Difficulties: One of the most common uses for spray glue is to adhere the fabric to the stabilizer before hooping. This “hoopless” method is especially helpful for:
Stretchy or delicate fabrics: It prevents the fabric from stretching or distorting when you pull it taut in the hoop.
“Un-hoopable” items: You can adhere small or oddly shaped items, like a small piece of applique or a garment that’s difficult to hoop, directly to a hooped stabilizer.
Prevents Shifting and Bunching: By holding the fabric and stabilizer together as a single unit, the spray glue prevents them from shifting or bunching up during the high-speed movements of a machine embroidery needle. This ensures that the design is stitched cleanly and accurately, without misalignments.
No Residue or Gumming: A key feature of high-quality embroidery spray glues like 505 is that they are designed not to gum up your embroidery machine needle or leave a sticky residue on your fabric. This is a major concern for embroiderers who want to protect their equipment and finished projects.
Ease of Use: Using a spray adhesive is a quick and easy way to secure layers, eliminating the need for pins or messy basting stitches.
Washes Away: The temporary adhesive is typically designed to wash out of the fabric after the embroidery is complete, leaving no trace behind. This makes it suitable for projects that will be laundered, like clothing or quilts.
In short, 505 spray glue acts as a “third hand,” providing a reliable, temporary bond that helps ensure professional-looking results while protecting your fabric and equipment.