Applique question
 

I don't do a lot of applique, but when I do it's usually needle turn. I am starting a baby quilt where I'll use fusible applique. My question- what fusible product do you think has the "softest" finish? Since it is a baby quilt, I don't want the applique pieces to be too stiff. Thank you for your advice.

I like Steam a seam lite. Then cut out the center of the fusible before applying it to the fabric. You will only have the fusible around the outer edges of the appliqué piece

I use Heat n Bond light because that is what is easily available for me. On larger application, I cut the center portion out leave 3/8' for the outside edge.

Misty Fuse is definitely the least stiff. I source it from Amazon. Also, be sure to window your fabric. Here's how: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_m84NtcyUk

Honestly, though, I usually just get Pellon 805 Wonder Under at JAF & never get complaints because I wash twice before gifting it. The thing that makes the most difference in stiffness in my experience is the thread build-up from satin stitching. I do a 1/8" blanket/button hole stitch.

PS- I've never used it personally, but I've heard Bon-Ash 007 Bonding Agent is even lighter. They are crystals that you sprinkle on fabrics. I haven't tried it because I don't know what's in it & I wonder if it is more difficult to achieve perfect bonding with it. I can't speak to that one way or another. I have had many happy (high end) baby quilt customers with Pellon 805 so that's what I stick with when if I'm using fusible.

Misty fuse is very light. Fusible washes away when the quilt is laundered, so even if you use heat n bond lite and it feels a little stiff, it's going to disappear when you launder the quilt upon completion.

I like Soft-fuse. http://www.amazon.com/Soft-Fuse-Prem...dp/B004KYTNBO/

Never heard of Misty Fuse, but looks like I'm gonna have to try it too. Always looking for the lightest fusible, but with paper backing that stays put until I'm ready to peel.

I love soft fuse too. Very soft and easy to handle.

Very few fusibles claim they wash-away & I'm not sure that would be desirable. The only double-sided fusible I know of that washes away is Dritz Wonder Tape which I've used for hemming pants -- but with hemming, you're working with a turned or serged edge, not a raw edge that can fray. If you want a temporary adhesive for satin stitched or turned edge applique, I'd go with Elmer's Washable School Glue rather than Wonder Tape.

Fusibles are designed to permanently fuse the 2 pieces of fabric together. If you apply it properly & launder as indicated, one should never be able to separate the 2 fabrics where the fusible is applied (and even if they do separate due to user error, the fusible will still be on the fabric). Each fusible has different instructions for application. Read & follow them very carefully. I use a muslin pressing cloth to make sure I'm not overdrying the fusible when adhering it with the iron. Then, I always tell clients/recipients to wash in cold water on the gentle cycle and tumble dry on low heat -- no bleach or fabric softener. If you do all those things, the fusible should form a strong permanent bond between your fabrics that becomes softer with each wash but doesn't break down and separate. Fusible will allow you to do a generous 1/4" stitch around your applique without worrying about it fraying.

I just found the best video on YouTube under the Fat Quarter Shop series. Edyta Sitar showed how to use Heat and bond lite.

http://youtu.be/G3-2M5II9sE

I like tricot

such a cute block. Very enjoyable to watch.

Misty fuse--and until you really press it with steam you can even reposition on the 2nd fabric.

Most definitely Mistyfuse! You can't even tell there's a fusible on your piece. And with this tutorial
http://suebleiweiss.com/blog/mistyfu...ard-technique/
You don't even have to reverse your shapes! Mistyfuse is my go-to fusible. While I like SAS, Mistyfuse has a much softer hand in my quilts.....

I think all the fusible products are stiff and don't really like to use them. So I turn my pieces under, sometimes with the seam allowance over freezer paper shapes, iron/starch well, and machine applique that way.

That was a great video! Thank you for posting it!

Misty Fuse has no paper backing, but I iron parchment paper to it and use that as a peel away backing!

I know that this does not answer your question, but please give this some thought.

Since it is for a baby and will be washed many, many times please consider using something like the Eleanor Burns method of appliqué. I use the same fabric, right side to right side and sew around it. Then slit it in the back and turn right side out. Now you have an enclosed appliqué piece that you can sew down and it won't unravel. You can also put a piece of batting on it before you sew it to make it puff a little, and then cut off the batting outside the seam line.

Just a thought over coffee.....

I like Steam a Seam Lite best, but have used Heat & Bond too with no problem.

And this is a great Edyta Sitar video on choosing fusible web for applique. She should know - she does a LOT of applique!
http://youtu.be/35NgfVRtGKo

I use Wonder Under a lot, but have learned on larger pieces to cut the center out, leaving 1/2" to 1" around the outside of the applique, this way you won't have the stiffness if you applique it with the entire piece, and then I use the center cut outs on smaller pieces.

Thanks so much for sharing. I really enjoy Edyta. I'll look for more of her on YouTube.

Or use a discarded dryer sheet instead of a second layer of fabric. Turn right side out and either whip stitch it down being sure to use the fabric (not the dryer sheet) for your stitches or machine stitch it in place.

Wow! Now I'm wondering if I can print on the parchment paper prior to fusing to the fabric, cut and fuse down? That'd be awesome!

It's freezer paper that has a paper side & is printable, not parchment paper. I don't think parchment paper would print well because both sides are identical and coated with silicone. If you don't mind a 2-step process, you could print the design on freezer paper & iron to the right side of the fabric (make sure the design is not reversed), then add the Misty Fuse to the back. Peel away your parchment paper & then cut on the lines on the front. When you're finished, the freezer paper would easily peel away and you could keep reusing the parchment sheet since it's not cut to size.