Comments on: Fusible web management http://www.allaboutapplique.net/2009/01/10/fusible-web-management/ A Quilter's Ruminations • By Kay Mackenzie Fri, 10 Sep 2010 12:58:10 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Kay http://www.allaboutapplique.net/2009/01/10/fusible-web-management/#comment-9048 Kay Sun, 02 Aug 2009 03:24:04 +0000 http://www.allaboutapplique.net/2009/01/10/fusible-web-management/#comment-9048 Hi Jeanine! I do sew the edges of my machine appliqué, with a small machine blanket stitch, and Wonder Under does not gum up the needle. As to which fusible is better, it's a matter of choice so try each one and see which you prefer. The reason for removing the centers of the templates is to reduce stiffness, which I prefer. For a decorative wall piece, if you don't mind it being stiff, you can leave the centers in if you feel it might make the pieces stay better when not finishing the edges. I really feel it's better to either finish the edges or quilt over the motifs (or both). In either of those cases you don't need the motif fused in the middle. There are certain fusing techiques where the fabric is pre-fused, and then the shapes are cut out. In that case, you can't remove the center of the fusible. That's the way Laura Wasilowski works... see my post of August 1, 2009. Cheers, Kay Hi Jeanine!

I do sew the edges of my machine appliqué, with a small machine blanket stitch, and Wonder Under does not gum up the needle. As to which fusible is better, it’s a matter of choice so try each one and see which you prefer.

The reason for removing the centers of the templates is to reduce stiffness, which I prefer. For a decorative wall piece, if you don’t mind it being stiff, you can leave the centers in if you feel it might make the pieces stay better when not finishing the edges. I really feel it’s better to either finish the edges or quilt over the motifs (or both). In either of those cases you don’t need the motif fused in the middle.

There are certain fusing techiques where the fabric is pre-fused, and then the shapes are cut out. In that case, you can’t remove the center of the fusible. That’s the way Laura Wasilowski works… see my post of August 1, 2009.

Cheers,
Kay

]]> By: Jeanine http://www.allaboutapplique.net/2009/01/10/fusible-web-management/#comment-9046 Jeanine Sun, 02 Aug 2009 00:52:08 +0000 http://www.allaboutapplique.net/2009/01/10/fusible-web-management/#comment-9046 Kay--FANTASTIC page, just the kind of helpful tips I was looking for. A couple questions: Do you machine sew over your applique, and if so, does the Wonder Under give your needle a tough time? I saw the comment about Heat n Bond not gumming--any opinion which one is better?? Also, you recommend cutting the centers out of the large pieces of fusible--would you recommend that if people are NOT planning to sew over the applique (other than a little stippling during the regular quilting process)? In other words, if I'm not planning to embroider an edge around my applied piece, should I go ahead and fuse the whole thing down? I'm so worried that even though this is for a wall hanging, the ironed-on stuff will fall off or fray... Finally, I have a suggestion for those annoying backing-won't-separate issues: I've never done this on fusible web, but on other peel-apart stuff, you can often get an ornery backing to come off if you grab both ends of the item and rub it, shoeshine-style, over a curved surface (like a pencil). I think it works on that same law of physics that you mentioned earlier, with the rolled-up towels. I've gotten many a kid's tattoo to come off the backing that way--give it a try! Kay–FANTASTIC page, just the kind of helpful tips I was looking for. A couple questions: Do you machine sew over your applique, and if so, does the Wonder Under give your needle a tough time? I saw the comment about Heat n Bond not gumming–any opinion which one is better?? Also, you recommend cutting the centers out of the large pieces of fusible–would you recommend that if people are NOT planning to sew over the applique (other than a little stippling during the regular quilting process)? In other words, if I’m not planning to embroider an edge around my applied piece, should I go ahead and fuse the whole thing down? I’m so worried that even though this is for a wall hanging, the ironed-on stuff will fall off or fray…

Finally, I have a suggestion for those annoying backing-won’t-separate issues: I’ve never done this on fusible web, but on other peel-apart stuff, you can often get an ornery backing to come off if you grab both ends of the item and rub it, shoeshine-style, over a curved surface (like a pencil). I think it works on that same law of physics that you mentioned earlier, with the rolled-up towels. I’ve gotten many a kid’s tattoo to come off the backing that way–give it a try!

]]> By: Help wanted ~ fusible web : All About Applique http://www.allaboutapplique.net/2009/01/10/fusible-web-management/#comment-7970 Help wanted ~ fusible web : All About Applique Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:43:50 +0000 http://www.allaboutapplique.net/2009/01/10/fusible-web-management/#comment-7970 [...] got this comment from Joleen on my Fusible web management post. I’m bumping her question to this new post. Hi [...] [...] got this comment from Joleen on my Fusible web management post. I’m bumping her question to this new post. Hi [...]

]]> By: Kay http://www.allaboutapplique.net/2009/01/10/fusible-web-management/#comment-7969 Kay Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:28:08 +0000 http://www.allaboutapplique.net/2009/01/10/fusible-web-management/#comment-7969 Hi Joleen! So glad you're enjoying the site. I'm going to bump your question to a new post so we can get other appliqué enthusiasts to chime in. Kay Hi Joleen! So glad you’re enjoying the site. I’m going to bump your question to a new post so we can get other appliqué enthusiasts to chime in.

Kay

]]> By: Joleen http://www.allaboutapplique.net/2009/01/10/fusible-web-management/#comment-7960 Joleen Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:35:35 +0000 http://www.allaboutapplique.net/2009/01/10/fusible-web-management/#comment-7960 Hi Kay, I LOVE your site! I am new to sewing and living in a non English speaking country. I have, due to much hard work and determination, found some sort of fusible web at the local fabric market. I have it in two forms...a small tape ( like scotch tape) and by the meter sheet. However, I am REALLY confused by how to use it. There is NO backing paper..... I would be so grateful for any tips of hints you can give me on how to use this stuff.... Hi Kay,

I LOVE your site!
I am new to sewing and living in a non English speaking country. I have, due to much hard work and determination, found some sort of fusible web at the local fabric market. I have it in two forms…a small tape ( like scotch tape) and by the meter sheet. However, I am REALLY confused by how to use it. There is NO backing paper…..

I would be so grateful for any tips of hints you can give me on how to use this stuff….

]]> By: Kay http://www.allaboutapplique.net/2009/01/10/fusible-web-management/#comment-4554 Kay Sat, 07 Mar 2009 02:11:59 +0000 http://www.allaboutapplique.net/2009/01/10/fusible-web-management/#comment-4554 Hi Debbie, sorry to hear you're having trouble. Sounds like heat problems to me. Not being able to get the paper backing off can result from having your iron too high or pressing it too long, and the product all coming off happens when the heat is too low. Try experimenting with iron settings. If that's not it, the product could be old or a bad batch. Let us know what happens! Kay Hi Debbie, sorry to hear you’re having trouble. Sounds like heat problems to me. Not being able to get the paper backing off can result from having your iron too high or pressing it too long, and the product all coming off happens when the heat is too low. Try experimenting with iron settings. If that’s not it, the product could be old or a bad batch.

Let us know what happens!
Kay

]]> By: Debbie http://www.allaboutapplique.net/2009/01/10/fusible-web-management/#comment-4553 Debbie Sat, 07 Mar 2009 02:02:37 +0000 http://www.allaboutapplique.net/2009/01/10/fusible-web-management/#comment-4553 I use wonder under, but I have the problem of getting it off of the piece I'm working with. It either doesn't want to come off, or it all comes off and no wonder under is on the fabric. I follow the directions... I use wonder under, but I have the problem of getting it off of the piece I’m working with. It either doesn’t want to come off, or it all comes off and no wonder under is on the fabric. I follow the directions…

]]> By: Kay http://www.allaboutapplique.net/2009/01/10/fusible-web-management/#comment-4467 Kay Sun, 01 Mar 2009 17:09:16 +0000 http://www.allaboutapplique.net/2009/01/10/fusible-web-management/#comment-4467 Barbara, thank you so much for this information. Your recommendation goes a long way with me... you do the best appliqué! (Readers, go check it out now if you missed my post on <a href="http://barbarabrandeburg.typepad.com/photos/easy_applique_tutorial/basketblocks_1.html" target=blank rel="nofollow">Barbara's photo tutorial</a>.) Next time I'm at the store I'll get another hunk of this and give it another try. Cheers, Kay Barbara, thank you so much for this information. Your recommendation goes a long way with me… you do the best appliqué! (Readers, go check it out now if you missed my post on Barbara’s photo tutorial.) Next time I’m at the store I’ll get another hunk of this and give it another try.

Cheers,
Kay

]]> By: barbara brandeburg http://www.allaboutapplique.net/2009/01/10/fusible-web-management/#comment-4453 barbara brandeburg Sun, 01 Mar 2009 01:55:17 +0000 http://www.allaboutapplique.net/2009/01/10/fusible-web-management/#comment-4453 I've used heat n bond lite for over a decade. I gave up on wonder under because of the separation problems. Heat n Bond can be rolled up too. I've never had needle gum up problems with this product. I’ve used heat n bond lite for over a decade. I gave up on wonder under because of the separation problems. Heat n Bond can be rolled up too. I’ve never had needle gum up problems with this product.

]]> By: Kay http://www.allaboutapplique.net/2009/01/10/fusible-web-management/#comment-4355 Kay Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:57:37 +0000 http://www.allaboutapplique.net/2009/01/10/fusible-web-management/#comment-4355 Hi Linda! Hi Lisa! Thanks for stopping by! Linda, if I'm understanding your question, it seems as though you're thinking of machine appliquéing all the way through all three layers of the quilt. Actually, the appliqué is done only on the quilt top. It isn't until the appliqué is complete and the top is all sewn together that I start thinking about what's going to show on the back during the quilting process. Then I decide what threads I'll use for quilting, and, if I'm using a variety, how to disguise the different colors with a busy back. Does that help? Cheers, Kay Hi Linda! Hi Lisa! Thanks for stopping by!

Linda, if I’m understanding your question, it seems as though you’re thinking of machine appliquéing all the way through all three layers of the quilt. Actually, the appliqué is done only on the quilt top. It isn’t until the appliqué is complete and the top is all sewn together that I start thinking about what’s going to show on the back during the quilting process. Then I decide what threads I’ll use for quilting, and, if I’m using a variety, how to disguise the different colors with a busy back.

Does that help?
Cheers,
Kay

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