OESD AquaMesh Wash Away Embroidery Stabiliser
Create freestanding lace and embroider delicate fabrics with clean, removable support. OESD AquaMesh Wash Away Embroidery Stabiliser is an opaque, mesh-style water-soluble stabiliser designed for projects where the backing must be rinsed away after stitching.
AquaMesh is particularly useful for freestanding lace, freestanding appliqué and embroidery on sheer or lightweight washable fabrics such as batiste. Its mesh construction provides a hoopable foundation while you stitch, then dissolves under warm running water so permanent backing does not remain behind the design.
- Water-soluble support:Â rinses away under warm running water after embroidery.
- Made for freestanding work: suitable for properly digitised freestanding lace and freestanding appliqué designs.
- Useful on delicate fabrics:Â ideal when a permanent cut-away or visible backing would detract from a sheer or lightweight project.
- Opaque mesh format:Â easier to handle and hoop than a very thin water-soluble film.
- Not sensitive to air humidity:Â designed to resist drying out or absorbing atmospheric moisture.
- Flexible purchase options:Â available from Two Petals in 50cm cut lengths or as a complete 10-yard roll.
Choose a 50cm Cut or Full Roll
The manufacturer’s nominal roll width is 20 inches, equivalent to approximately 50.8cm. A quantity of one cut unit provides 50cm of length across the full roll width. Select additional units where offered if you need more material, or choose the full roll for regular embroidery and larger projects.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | OESD |
| Product | AquaMesh WashAway |
| Manufacturer product code | HBWAM-20 |
| Stabiliser type | Wash-away, water-soluble mesh |
| Appearance | Opaque mesh |
| Nominal width | 20 inches (approximately 50.8cm) |
| Cut option | 50cm length across the full width |
| Full-roll option | 10 yards (approximately 9.14m) |
| Removal method | Warm running water |
| Primary applications | Freestanding lace, freestanding appliqué and embroidery on sheer or lightweight washable fabrics |
What Can AquaMesh Be Used For?
Freestanding Lace
AquaMesh creates a temporary foundation on which a freestanding lace design can be stitched. OESD recommends hooping two layers together for freestanding lace because these designs are generally dense and must remain supported until stitching is complete.
Always confirm that the embroidery file has been digitised specifically as freestanding lace. A conventional lace-look design intended to be sewn onto fabric may not hold together when stitched only onto water-soluble stabiliser.
Freestanding Appliqué
Use AquaMesh when the instructions for a freestanding appliqué design call for a water-soluble foundation. After the appliqué fabric and embroidery have been secured, the surrounding stabiliser can be trimmed and rinsed away.
Sheer and Lightweight Fabrics
AquaMesh is a useful choice for batiste and other lightweight, washable fabrics when visible backing is undesirable. It can support the embroidery during stitching without leaving a permanent layer behind the fabric.
Because removal requires water, check that the fabric, embroidery thread, dyes and any embellishments used in the project are suitable for rinsing before you begin.
Other Wash-Away Applications
It may also be used for cutwork, reverse appliqué and similar embroidery techniques when the individual design instructions specify a wash-away stabiliser. The correct stabiliser quantity and embroidery setup can vary with the stitch density, fabric and design.
How to Use AquaMesh on Lightweight Fabric
- Cut AquaMesh approximately 2 inches (about 5cm) larger than your embroidery hoop.
- Lightly apply a suitable temporary spray adhesive to the stabiliser.
- Position AquaMesh against the wrong side of the fabric, centred beneath the embroidery area.
- Hoop the project securely without stretching or distorting the fabric.
- Embroider the design. Some designs may require a second layer of AquaMesh for additional support.
- Remove the finished project from the hoop and follow the removal instructions below.
How to Use AquaMesh for Freestanding Lace
- Confirm that your selected design is specifically digitised for freestanding lace or freestanding appliqué.
- Cut two hoop-sized pieces of AquaMesh.
- Place the two layers together and hoop them as one, keeping the stabiliser smooth and secure.
- Stitch the design according to its supplied colour chart and instructions.
- For jewellery, ornaments, bookmarks and other projects where both sides will be visible, matching the bobbin thread to the upper thread can produce a more coordinated reverse side.
- Remove the completed embroidery from the hoop, trim the excess stabiliser and rinse as directed.
Trimming, Rinsing and Drying
- Carefully trim away the excess AquaMesh, leaving approximately 1/4 inch or 6mm around the embroidery. Take care not to cut connecting stitches or the outer satin-stitch edge.
- Rinse the remaining stabiliser under warm running water.
- For softer lace, rinse thoroughly. If a firmer result is preferred, OESD advises rinsing for a shorter time so a small amount of dissolved stabiliser remains within the stitching.
- Shape the embroidery while damp and allow it to dry completely. Laying freestanding lace flat with the right side facing down can help reduce curling.
Test your rinsing method on a sample whenever the project includes delicate fabric, colour-sensitive thread, metallic thread or unfamiliar embellishments.
Which OESD Stabiliser Should I Choose?
- Choose standard AquaMesh when you need a non-pressure-sensitive, hoopable wash-away mesh for freestanding lace or lightweight fabric.
- Choose AquaMesh Plus Adhesive Washaway Stabiliser when a pressure-sensitive surface would help hold a difficult-to-hoop item. OESD particularly recommends the Plus version for lower-stitch-count work such as monograms and whitework.
- Consider OESD BadgeMaster for patches, badges or freestanding structures that need heavier water-soluble support and additional stiffness.
- Choose PolyMesh Cut Away when the finished embroidery needs permanent support through repeated washing and wearing, particularly on garments.
Explore more options in the Two Petals Interfacing & Stabilisers range, and coordinate both sides of freestanding projects with colours from the machine embroidery thread collection .
Compatibility and Buying Guidance
AquaMesh is a consumable stabiliser rather than a model-specific machine accessory. Its suitability depends on the embroidery design, hoop dimensions, fabric and removal requirements—not on a particular embroidery-machine brand.
- Check that the cut width will accommodate your selected hoop with enough material extending beyond every hoop edge.
- Use a design specifically digitised for freestanding work if no fabric will be present.
- Follow the design creator’s instructions if they specify a particular number or combination of stabiliser layers.
- Choose a different stabiliser when the project cannot tolerate water or requires permanent backing.
- Buy a 50cm cut for occasional designs and sampling, or select the full roll for frequent lace work, multiple hoopings and larger projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does OESD AquaMesh wash away completely?
AquaMesh is designed to rinse away under warm running water. How thoroughly you rinse will affect the firmness of freestanding lace: a complete rinse gives a softer result, while a shorter rinse can leave some dissolved stabiliser in the stitches for added body.
How many layers do I need for freestanding lace?
OESD recommends two layers of AquaMesh for freestanding lace. If your design’s instructions specify another setup or a combination of stabilisers, follow those instructions.
Can any embroidery design be stitched directly onto AquaMesh?
No. A design stitched without fabric must be specifically digitised as freestanding lace or freestanding appliqué so its stitches connect and support one another. Ordinary lace-style embroidery may fall apart after the stabiliser is removed.
Is AquaMesh self-adhesive?
This standard AquaMesh product is not the pressure-sensitive AquaMesh Plus version. For lightweight fabric, OESD’s instructions recommend lightly applying temporary spray adhesive before positioning the stabiliser against the wrong side of the fabric.
Can I use AquaMesh with a Brother, BERNINA, Bernette, Baby Lock or another embroidery machine?
AquaMesh is not restricted to a listed machine model. It can be used with an embroidery-machine hoop when the material fits the hoop and the design calls for this type of water-soluble stabiliser. Check the design, hoop size and machine instructions before stitching.
Can AquaMesh be used on batiste, organza or other sheer fabrics?
OESD specifically identifies AquaMesh for sheer and lightweight fabrics such as batiste when the backing must be removed. For organza or other delicate materials, first confirm that the fabric, thread and colour are water-safe and make a test sample where possible.
Is AquaMesh suitable for washable garments?
It can be used when temporary support is required and the item can be rinsed. However, embroidery on a garment that needs ongoing structural support may be better matched with a permanent cut-away stabiliser. Base the choice on fabric stretch, design density and the design creator’s directions.
How much material is supplied in one cut unit?
One cut unit is 50cm long across the nominal 20-inch roll width. A complete roll contains 10 yards. Select the required option before adding the product to your basket.
What is the difference between AquaMesh and AquaMesh Plus?
Both are opaque, water-soluble mesh stabilisers. Standard AquaMesh is suited to hooping, freestanding designs and lightweight fabrics. AquaMesh Plus adds a pressure-sensitive adhesive surface, making it useful for hard-to-hoop items and lower-stitch-count designs.
Should I buy a cut length or a full roll?
A 50cm cut is convenient for trying the product or completing a small number of hoopings. A full roll is the practical choice for frequent machine embroidery, large hoops, multi-piece lace projects or regular workshop use.
A Practical Wash-Away Foundation for Detailed Embroidery
OESD AquaMesh combines hoopable mesh support with water-soluble removal, making it a dependable choice for freestanding lace and delicate embroidery where permanent backing is not wanted. Select a 50cm cut for an upcoming project or keep a full 10-yard roll ready for regular machine embroidery.
