Water-soluble stabiliser – Aqua Web & Aqua Web Plus

Water-soluble fabric stabiliser is embroiderers’ little secret: one of those wonder products you wonder how you ever lived without.

It’s not necessary for mending, but it is magical!

These are just some of the ways you can use it for mending: 

• Taming stretchy things: Apply it to T-shirts, leggings and other stretchy things (over or under the area to be mended) to reduce curling and prevent wonky, warped stitches – without the extra bulk you might get from fusible web or fabric patches. Stitch through the fabric and stabiliser together, then dissolve the stabiliser with water when you’re done.
• Fancy stitching: Trace a stitch design or sashiko grid onto stabiliser. Stitch fabric and stabiliser together and dissolve the stabiliser in water when you’re done. (See an example here.)
• Mending jeans: Use stabiliser instead of a fabric patch when machine darning crotch holes, to avoid excess bulk and stiffness. Make sure the damage is completely covered with thread, then dissolve stabiliser in water when you're done.
• DIY lace patches: Stitch onto stabiliser only (by hand or machine), then dissolve everything but the stitched threads. Lace makes great patch material, and DIY lace allows you to make as much or as little as you need, with more creative possibilities. (Click here for a fantastic example by Staci Katie.)

Choose from two options:

• Aqua Web needs to be temporarily fastened to fabric with stitches, pins and/or an embroidery hoop.
• Aqua Web Plus has a sticky side that adheres to fabric (no stitches, pins or hoops required) and disposable backing paper.

Or try both and see which you prefer. Aqua Web Plus's adhesive backing makes it easier and quicker to use but less environmentally friendly (because of the backing paper).

Because this product dissolves in water, it’s nearly always sold in plastic packaging to keep it dry, and in large quantities. To provide the most environmentally friendly option possible, I purchase it in bulk rolls, cut to size (21x25cm sheets) and wrap it in 100% recycled aluminium foil when I pack your order to keep it dry (multiple sheets can fit in one foil packet).

NOTE: Aqua Web dissolves completely in water. Make sure your hands are dry before handling.

Made in Taiwan and repackaged in Australia (by me) in 100% recycled aluminium foil.

For larger quantities (or if Aqua Web Plus is sold out), try Sulky Stick 'n Stitch.

For stabiliser with preprinted stitch patterns, try Sewing with Kate’s sashiko-inspired mending kit or Wrenbirdart’s moth mending transfers.

🔴 2024/2025 holiday deadlines 🔴

17 December 2024:
Last orders for Christmas delivery in Australia

HOLIDAY BREAK: 18 December 2024 to 12 January 2025
Postal orders placed during this time will ship the week of 13 January, when I'm back at work. Gift vouchers will be available for purchase 24/7 and delivered automagically by email.

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Weekly dispatch

This shop dispatches orders once a week so I can do alllll the things – including running this shop and running after two tiny tots – and enjoy my life. Your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated.

I have a new work and childcare schedule for 2024 and am still working out the best schedule for postal dispatches; please allow approximately one week from time of purchase while I figure it all out.

Shipping carrier

I ship via Australia Post. If you select Express Post at checkout, it will speed up Australia Post's delivery timeframe but won't speed up my process.

After your order has been packed, you will receive an email notification with your Australia Post tracking number, which you can use to check on the delivery status of your order.

International customers: click here for current Australia Post international delivery timeframes.

Shipping fees

Shipping is currently a flat rate of $12 within Australia ($17 Express Post); international shipping is calculated at checkout. Gift vouchers are delivered electronically and do not require shipping. 

NEW: Modern Mending has partnered with Mateship to offer free shipping and cash back when you combine orders with your mates and have them sent to one location. Save money, carbon emissions and packaging waste!

Modern Mending customers have been combining orders informally for ages; Mateship makes it official and easier for me to coordinate, and rewards you for your efforts. Win win.

How it works:

1. Check out as usual.
2. A pop-up will appear to sign up to Mateship.
3. Invite mates to your order. They have 8 hours to join your order.

Note: Mateship only works with standard shipping, not Express Post, and only in Australia at the moment.

International shipping

I ship worldwide with the exception of the UK, due to VAT regulations that came into effect on 1 January 2021. If you are in the UK you can order the UK edition of my book from your local bookshop.

Local delivery

Customers in Northcote, Thornbury and nearby suburbs (subject to capacity) can select local delivery at checkout. Local delivery is extra-slow and coincides with my pram-walking / kid-wrangling schedule, up to one week after purchase.
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I choose to reuse

When shipping orders my first priority is to reuse packaging materials whenever possible – boxes, padded mailers, cardboard, paper, tissue paper, bubble wrap and egg cartons from neighbours, second-hand shops and recycling centres. I cannot guarantee the materials used to ship your order will be plastic-free for this reason.

I buy recycled packaging

If I don’t have suitable second-hand packaging to use for your order, my next priority is packaging made from recycled materials. It's important to me to support Australian companies making good products from our recyclables, and to make sure that material gets a second life.

Tape

I use compostable, gummed kraft-paper tape to seal my parcels whenever possible. I have a second-hand tape wetter that I love, purchased from my local op shop. Gummed paper tape is available at most art-supply shops if you want to make the switch yourself!

Express Post orders will have official plastic "Express Post" tape added.

International orders with many items will have a plastic pocket taped to them, to accommodate additional paperwork required by customs.

Individual product packaging

Every item for sale on this website has its packaging components listed and in most cases photographed, so you can make an informed decision.

Upstream packaging

When I speak to my suppliers I specifically ask that my orders be supplied to me without plastic packaging, whenever possible, to avoid waste and single-use plastic. This isn’t always possible, but I’ll keep asking, forever.

Here's how one of my suppliers has my name recorded in its database: