Why is there a piece of paper inside my embroidered T-shirt?
If you have just received your Maison Plumarius embroidered T-shirt , you may have noticed a small "piece of paper" inside, just behind the design.
Don't worry: this isn't an oversight or a defect . Quite the opposite—it's the sign of true professional embroidery , built to last.
It’s not a paper… but a stabilizer!
What you are looking at is actually an embroidery stabilizer , a key technical element in any quality embroidery. It is a special non-woven fabric (often called "antissé") that is attached to the back of the T-shirt during embroidery to keep the fabric taut, prevent distortion and ensure a crisp, long-lasting design .
At Maison Plumarius, we use two layers of stabilizer , with very specific functions:
🧷 1. A rigid layer for the structure
This first layer serves to stabilize the fabric during the embroidery process . It prevents the cotton from wrinkling or stretching, which could distort the design. It is essential to ensure a precise and consistent shape .
🧵 2. A soft layer for comfort
The second layer is softer and more pleasant to the touch , as it remains in contact with the skin. It reinforces the embroidery while protecting your T-shirt from friction during washing.
Why don't we remove them completely?
We do our best to cut the stabilizer as close to the pattern as possible , but it is important to leave some.
Why? Because it’s what allows the embroidery to remain strong over time .
🧼 Without stabilizer, the embroidery pulls directly on the fabric. After a few washes (often less than ten), the fabric begins to weaken, tear, or warp.
By maintaining a thin stabilization base , we ensure:
- better pattern retention over time ,
- better resistance to washing and ironing ,
- and better wearing comfort , without a rough feeling or irritation.
Why do some embroidered T-shirts not have stabilizer?
That's a good question!
With some brands, you will not see any stabilizer . This can mean two things:
1. The pattern is ultra simple
Very simple decorative embroidery (a few stitches, low density) can sometimes be done without stabilizer. But it is often superficial, not very durable , and provides neither relief nor texture .
2. A logic of economy
Stabilizer is an additional cost: in materials, labor, and time . Some brands choose to do without it to save a few cents per piece ... at the expense of quality .
Unfortunately, without stabilization, embroidery almost always ends up weakening the fabric and wearing out prematurely .
Plumarius House: zero compromise on quality
At Maison Plumarius, each T-shirt embroidered in France is designed to last you for years , not just a few months.
This is why we invest in:
- high quality stabilizers ,
- a double-layer technical embroidery ,
- repeated tests on each pattern ,
- and precise hand finishing , so that what you wear is beautiful on the outside as well as on the inside.
✨ In summary
- This "paper" is actually an essential technical element : the stabilizer.
- It protects the fabric , ensures the perfect hold of the pattern , and increases the life of the embroidery .
- We use two layers of stabilizer: one for strength, the other for comfort.
- It is a quality choice , consistent with our values of slow fashion and French know-how .