Fusible Appliqué vs. Elmer’s School Glue
01-26-2019, 05:37 AM
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Oregon City, OR
Posts: 1,016
The thing to remember about using fusibles like heat and bond, or wonder under, is that they are thin layers of heat activated glue, and that new unwashed fabrics are treated with sizing and other chemicals that can sometimes repel the glue, causing adhesion problems.
If you do not pre-wash your fabrics, or if you put your project in the washer in hot water, or into a hot dryer, the heat is going to re-melt the glue. That is why it comes loose. Cold water and line drying should cause no issues.
I used to use wonder under on fabrics with large Hawaiian style prints, cut out the individual flowers, and adhere them onto clothing. Then I would go around the edges and outlines with puffy paints. The only time I had any issues with adhesion was when I used unwashed clothing and/or fabric, or when I mistakenly tossed the shirts in a dryer. Some of my sweatshirts lasted for years when properly cared for.
Personally, I do not care for fusible when I am quilting. It comes out just too stiff for my liking. I also tend to have issues with it gumming up my needles. Yes, the fusible does keep the fabric edges from fraying, but I prefer to use some fray check for that if I need it. If I'm doing turned edge applique, I use Elmer's glue sticks.
If you do not pre-wash your fabrics, or if you put your project in the washer in hot water, or into a hot dryer, the heat is going to re-melt the glue. That is why it comes loose. Cold water and line drying should cause no issues.
I used to use wonder under on fabrics with large Hawaiian style prints, cut out the individual flowers, and adhere them onto clothing. Then I would go around the edges and outlines with puffy paints. The only time I had any issues with adhesion was when I used unwashed clothing and/or fabric, or when I mistakenly tossed the shirts in a dryer. Some of my sweatshirts lasted for years when properly cared for.
Personally, I do not care for fusible when I am quilting. It comes out just too stiff for my liking. I also tend to have issues with it gumming up my needles. Yes, the fusible does keep the fabric edges from fraying, but I prefer to use some fray check for that if I need it. If I'm doing turned edge applique, I use Elmer's glue sticks.
01-26-2019, 05:48 AM
#13
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,067
I will try the powder and post how it works with applique and also after being washed and dried. I was thinking a little will hold the fabric in place until stitched around. I may not like using the powder or I may love it. I won't know unless I use it so there is no reason not to try it.
01-26-2019, 06:17 AM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: NW Indiana
Posts: 386
>what is the purpose of using fusible at all. Does it help the fabric resist fraying for a period of time, or just make it easier to get the appliqué on the background and hold it in place for stitching around it? If it’s the second reason, why not just use Elmer’s<
In my opinion: Elmers is so much messier; fusible allows the piece to lie perfectly flat making them easier to stitch around; Elmers dries more stiff; fusible allows me to move my pieces if needed-just re-heat, un-stick and move. To each their own, but those are my reasons for using fusible over Elmers.
In my opinion: Elmers is so much messier; fusible allows the piece to lie perfectly flat making them easier to stitch around; Elmers dries more stiff; fusible allows me to move my pieces if needed-just re-heat, un-stick and move. To each their own, but those are my reasons for using fusible over Elmers.
01-26-2019, 06:48 AM
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: East Kootenays, BC
Posts: 947
Windowing is basically cutting the shape out in the fusible, then cutting out the centre of the fusible shape so that all that you have for fusible is about a half inch of it on the outside edge that you the then fuse to the fabric shape.
Last edited by Kwiltr; 01-26-2019 at 06:50 AM.
01-26-2019, 08:06 AM
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,857
Elmers glue is a water based pva glue, so it will also wash out after repeated washing. Either fusible interfacing or glue is to hold in place for stitching (and for awhile after). If doing large pieces, I like to do the small bit around the edging and turn it to save on the fusible. Then I stitch it down. Quilting will hold the rest. Note - if using the elmers, be sure to NOT use the blue glue - it does stain.
01-26-2019, 12:02 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: California
Posts: 441
In my opinion: Elmers is so much messier; fusible allows the piece to lie perfectly flat making them easier to stitch around; Elmers dries more stiff; fusible allows me to move my pieces if needed-just re-heat, un-stick and move. To each their own, but those are my reasons for using fusible over Elmers.
01-26-2019, 12:37 PM
#19
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
Fusible like heat n bond light hold your pieces in place so you can stitch them down - they wash away in the laundry. There are some heavy, very stiff fusible products that are permenant- they are heavy, stiff and No- sew.
Glue washes away too, just holds so you can stitch. I prefer heat n bond lite- for me Elmer’s is very difficult to stitch through. I do tons of appliqué and have tried many different products - the heat n bond lite is by far my favorite product.
Glue washes away too, just holds so you can stitch. I prefer heat n bond lite- for me Elmer’s is very difficult to stitch through. I do tons of appliqué and have tried many different products - the heat n bond lite is by far my favorite product.
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