I use Steam A Seam Lite 2 all the time and it softens when washed. I'm using it right now in a snowman quilt. It feels stiff until washed. A lot of people cut the center out of the fusible and just leave it around the edges. I haven't done that yet. I'm use to doing it my way and don't know if I'll change the way I do it. It seems to work fine for me.