Kwiltr

Here I go again, trying to pick the best method for appliqué...

I’m planning to make a child’s quilt that will get washed often and that involves appliqué. I recently made some fusible appliqué table runners for Christmas gifts and used Pellon 805 aka Wonder Under. The pieces were smallish, and to be honest, until I just searched the topic of fusibles once again, never thought to “window” any of them as some people recommended for larger pieces. I don’t know why I never thought of doing that, as I’ve done it in turned appliqué using wash away appliqué paper ie. Beth Ferrier's product.

So here is my question(s). I was under the impression that if I used a fusible product like the Pellon 805 or Heat n Bond Lite or Steam a Seam 2 Lite, that the entire fused piece would be permanent, yet I have now seen and heard that it is not after washing. Taking into consideration now the “windowing” of the fusible, 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? I’m also thinking the windowing is a great idea for the larger pieces, especially if the fusible is going to 'let go' in an uneven fashion, I’d rather have it without any fusible beyond the 1/2” margin when windowed on larger pieces. Also, knowing that it’s not a permanent fuse to the fabric, I’d personally add more quilting to the surface of the appliqué.

Being this his is only my second fusible appliqué project, it would be nice to hear comments from the more experienced fusible appliqué pros .

Thanks!
Kathy

Watson

IMO, if you are going to wash something, you need to sew the edges, regardless of the fuseable you use. I use a lot of SaS2 Lite, but that's for collage and that will never see water. I did another collage with Elmers and found that the edges were even more rough. Again, without ever being washed.

So, some people may get away with doing runners and that without sewing around the edges, but I'm not sure how they do it, regardless of what they use to fuse it down.

Watson

Anniedeb

I'll closely monitor the answers here! I've used Heat and Bond Lite on all my baby quilts. I then always stitched around the edge, either hand or machine. Sometimes I use a decorative stitch, sometimes a straight stitch. I do this for visual appeal. I thought heat and bond was permanent! I'm currently trying turned edge, with no fusible, just using a few dots of Fabric Fuse to hold in place before hand stitching.

Onebyone

Have you seen this? I ordered some so can't wait to try it on applique.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYc9p4K8jGk

Tartan

I do a machine blanket stitch around appliqués done with wonderunder. I feel the wonderunder does help to prevent some of the edges from fraying but they do still fray from repeated washing. I have not had any appliqués come off from fraying.
If you want to use an Elmer’s glue stick to temporarily hold down an appliqué, I would recommend machine sewing a straight stitch inside the appliqué edge at about 1/8 inch. The edges past the 1/8 would fray but the straight stitching should hold the appliqué on with repeated washings.

QuiltnNan

looks nifty. Alex says the container will do one large quilt. the price is $19.99!
This product seems similar and is $9.79 https://www.amazon.com/Bo-Nash-2-Oun.../dp/B000W5JQKI

hobbykat1955

It is the same as Bo Nash which I've used...as she says in video Semi Permanent...I've used the Bo Nash for confetti wall hanging and was told you still need to quilt over the pieces...Nothing is permanent and in my opinion must always quilt down if applique using blanket stitches or decorative stitches or an overall quilting of the entire piece.

Onebyone

Quote:

the price is $19.99!

That's not the price I wanted to pay.

I bought the refill package (same amount) for $9.95 and will use a small salt shaker. Texas Quilt Barn online. Total with shipping was $14.94. I asked my local shop to order some since they sell Quilter's Select products. They owner had no idea they sold refill packages. I had to show her online where I bought one. ? I hope she stays in business longer then the other shop. LOL

It is not like Bo Nash. Bo Nash turns hard after pressing and is very permanent. It's great for repairs on upholstery or carpet and such.

Kwiltr

Okay. That’s kind of what I suspected. When I used it on my Christmas project, I did do a blanket stitch around everything and on this current project I was planning on doing a straight stitch by machine close to the appliqué edges. In searching the forum for this topic, I came upon the “windowing” suggestion, which made me think to question the expectation of the fusible's purpose. A) to stop fraying or B) to adhere the appliqué ? I realize there are different fusible products depending on the application, I.e. a quilt for use or a wall hanging or other item. Something to be washed often or not at all. However, I guess I was under the impression all the fusibles were more or less permanent. But when I saw an item after being washed several times, that was indeed stitched around the edges, the appliqué was unevenly still fused in some places not others. I didn’t like the look of it. So my conclusion is, that if I use a fusible such as heat n Bond lite or Pellon 805 (wonderunder)or similar products, there isn’t much point in using fusible for anything but the edges of the appliqué to perhaps help with fraying, and I’ll be sure to quilt the body of them down so I don’t get a baggy look, if you know what I mean. I don’t want the stiffness of a heavier fusible as this quilt is intended for a child's quilt. I know ELmers glue isn’t going to stop fraying and it certainly isn’t permanent, but if the need of the fusible was merely to hold the appliqué in place just while stitching, rather than impact the fabric fraying, then why bother with fusible at all?

Thanks everyone one for helping me sort this out in my head .

As as for the fusible powder, I think I’d find it difficult to keep it only where you want it when shaking it out and more so if a small area. I also question the application of it on batting rather than fabric, as with batting being textured, I suspect you would use more because it would fall into the fibers and be less effective, not to mention being able to see white powder sprinkled on white batting. But, I haven’t tried it or anything like it, this is just what crossed my mind after watching the demonstration.

JJBlaine

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.