Hi I have a question: when I sew around my appliques & I have used the fusible webbing, the adhesive makes my needle sticky. and it will keep breaking the thread. Does it make sense to clean the needle or use a new one? What would I use to clean the needle?

I appreciate any & all response sandy

I had that problem too. I used quilters wax on the needle and it seemed to help a good bit.

Alchol works too, but that's why I don't use fusible very often, it's a pain.

I think I'd probably look into other brands of fusible web if that were happening to me. Not all of them gunk up the needle, machine or hand. Short term, I'd go with the alcohol (it cuts the gunk and evaporates quickly).

What brand of fusible are you using? Some types are not meant to be machine sewn.

I use steam a seam 2 and it works very well never had any issues with it, also something else you might want to look into are titanium needles. Chris

Steam a Seam 2 or Heat Bond Light won't gunk up the needle. I use Heat Bond Light. I took Pat Sloan class and she uses Heat Bond Light 95% of the time. She's known as the fusible queen of quilting. It's economical and available in most craft stores. WalMart here has it.

I only use Wonder under for fusible and never had a problem with it gunking up my needle or machine. Works for me Marge

If you are using the heavy duty Steam A Seam or Heat N Bond, it will gunk your needle up really quick, break the thread and completely ruin the needle. Ask me how I know?
Try the alcohol, that's what I had to do when I had my problem. Finally got the little project done and tossed the heavy duty stuff right into the trash!

I am a nurse and I had to look and see what the dirty needle was about, all I can say is throw it out!!!! LOL I used a fusible grid for a landscape quilt and it gunked up my needle, sewing machine and everything else. I will sew the little squares together without the grid fusible or I will sew on muslin....

Alcohol is the only remedy! I use makeup squares of cotton soaked in it and keep running the needle back and forth and thru it. Try storing a cotton square that is already soaked in the alcohol in an old medicine bottle by the machine. That way you don't have to worry about spillage...

I use the Steam a Seam 2 Lite. Never had an issue. I had fused it onto Satin (don't ask), and sewed all around it, and no issues with gunk

I used a heavier fusible webbing when I made my DD T shirt quilt. It gummed up my needle. It was horrible to work with. I cleaned the needle with alcohol and that helped some. I learned my lesson with that quilt and use Steam a Seam lite now. By the was I call that quilt "The quilt from He**." Oh well, she loved it.

I use heat & bond light with no problem.

Steam a Seam and Steam a Seam II are the best to use. I make appliqued towels and swear by the stuff. If you are using the heavier ones, they are not meant to be stitched down.

Alcohol will take any of the glue off the needle, but using a really good needle will also help. I only buy Schmetz--I tried using a Singer needle and a Kenmore needle once and they would get gummed up. I had not tried the beeswax on the needle yet, but am going to. Sounds like it would work.

Also make sure when you fuse to let the item completely cool off. If you try to stitch it right after steaming it on, the glue has not dried yet.

would Goo Gone also work?

Don't throw that heavy duty stuff away. Put it between two pieces of fabric and cut into book marks for the school or the library. I cut mine two inches by seven or eight inches. Then I use a paper punch and punch a hole in one end and tie a piece of ribbon, yarn, lace, or rick rack on it.

If you use kids prints, they really love them.

Hugs, Anne in AZ

I just finished a t-shirt quilt and I used a Pellon 950F ShirTailor, and sewing it was a dream. It gave the t-shirts a nice weight, was easy to handle and cut and no gunking up the needle on my machine.

Have you tried wiping the needle with a used fabric softener sheet? When I fuse something and get the adhesive on my iron, I just rub the warm iron with one of those. It should work on the needle, too.

I have read all your responses, & I have learned what not to use I have learned so much from this group & I appreciate all the help, makes my sewing all the more enjoyable thankyou,sandy

Looks like you have gotten your answer. I am sure it is the fusible that is the problem. I was in a hurry, last Christmas, finishing projects, ran out of my usual fusible and ran to Walmart to buy some. I had a terrible time with it gumming up my needle. Took me a while to realize it was the fusible.. Good luck. Quilter1234

It probably would, bearisgray, as would WD40, but they are both petroleum based products and might leave oil stains on the fabric. Goo Gone is great stuff, but I wouldn't risk it for this particular goo. :lol: