Favorite Applique Product?
 

What is your favorite applique product? I am just starting to applique and have been using handler since that is what the LQ shop was selling. What do you all like the best?

I have become an applique addict. I am always looking for something to applique. I love Pellon 805, it is lightweight and makes appliqueing so much easier.

Can you get this at Joann's? Thanks for sharing.

What is handler? What kind of applique do you do? I'm a wana be - I've tried needle turn, haven't tried machine applique, have done machine embroidery applique. I've got some beautiful kits and patterns to do - just need to take the plunge.

I, too, am adicted to Pellon 805 (aka Wonder Under). I do a lot of raw edge fusible appliqué and have never found anything better for the type of work I do. I buy it by the bolt from JoAnn's online, but I've heard they no longer sell it in most of the stores except in precut packages.

I had no idea this was wonder under. So glad you said that as I have rolls of it...lol. Going to grab it now! This board is great.

I do alot of fusible applique also, the only thing I use is Steam a Seam II. I like it because I can move it around on my back ground for placement and it stays there, also its very easy to needle. I use the buttonhole st. and do it by hand.

I always used Steam a Seam two, but have recently used the wonder under and like it better. It does not seem as stiff. Just my thought. Never tried needle turn.

I do machine applique and use Sharon Schambers's applique stabilizer.

http://www.sharonschamber.com/Produc...oductCode=SU01

i have not heard of this product. thanks for the link. i like the fact that it looks like trapunto when washed :thumbup:

i use wonder under now, never had any problems

I was a dedicated Wonder Under user until I took a class and the instructor had little kits with Heat 'n Bond lite. I don't think it's any softer but the edges of the applique are bonded better and you get a whole lot less edge fraying.

What is handler?

I've no idea what 'handler' is either, but then again, there's several products we name differently (e.g. wadding=batting), lol.

I like this better for machine appliqué than Steam a Seam Lite, which builds up gluey gunge on your needle.

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Handler is Handler Fusible Trans-Web. It's a paper backed fusible web.
http://www.createforless.com/Handler.../pid19238.aspx
They make interfacings and stabilizers as well.

I'm a big appliqué quilter and started out withWonder Under but now use Heat and Bond. There is a lightweight and heavyweight. I have found though especially with Wonder Under if you buy on sale it doesn't stay for several months as it loses its stickiness. That is mostly the reason I changed to another product even though it's hard to pass up when on sale and using a coupon at Joann's. Also the best way to store is rolled and upright, I put mine on a stand up paper towel holder.

Great info, thank you!!!!!

I've heard glowing praise of Sharon Schambers' stabilizer from someone at a local bee, and I was thinking of buying it at Festival. After reading around a while on the web, though, I got the idea that Floriani makes the same thing for a lower price.

By that time, though, I'd started a Baltimore Album class that involves learning needleturn, so that's so much research gone by the board.

(I wonder where "by the board" came from? Hmm.)

Thank you!

I've never found Wonder Under to 'go stale', at least not over a two plus year span. Mine is stored on the 35 yd bolt, lying flat in a dresser drawer. Scraps are tossed into a paper bag for later use. It always holds tight, never lifts at the edges, and remains supple. I can hand stitch through multiple layers without getting gunk all over my needle, can tack fuse to give me the ability of moving something if I'm not positive of the placement, can run it through my printer to print patterns instead of tracing them, and can use the release paper to transfer patterns directly to fused fabric so I don't have to cut through paper and dull my scissors. I've even been known to paint the glue side and fuse it to the top side of fabric as surface embellishment/texture on art quilts. I love the stuff!


About "go by the board"...board refers to the decking or side of a ship (like overboard). The literal phrase dates back to the 17th century and originally referred to sailing ships masts that had fallen either onto the deck or over the side of the ship. The figurative phrase dates to the mid-19th century. :)

I use Wonder Under exclusively. Heat & Bond is not meant for needling, but was designed for crafting. It's too stiff and almost impossible to hand needle. Steam a seam is also too gummy. There could be other products that work ok, but when I can get Wonder Under for $2.95/yd, minus my employee discount, I see no reason to spend more! I have a couple of little secrets for using Wonder Under. First of all, let it cool COMPLETELY before trying to peel off the paper. I have been known to pop my appliques into the refrigerator for a few minutes to speed up the process. Secondly, use a pin to score the paper and peel from the center of the shape, rather than from the edges. This eliminates fraying of fabric. I've been appliqueing for 30 years now, and I'm "sticking" to it! :)

I'd like to toss another product into the mix.... What does everyone think of Mistyfuse?

I use the wash away stabilizer similar to what Sharon Shaumber sells. I have tried every variety of appliqué technique I think and for hand work this gets the best results for me. It irons onto the back of the piece and provides a heavy enough edge that doing the needle turn under it is very crisp and sharp. There is no doubt where the edge is. Then when washed it dissolves and gives a bit of a raised look to the appliqué even before the quilting is done.

Heat 'n Bond LITE is perfect for raw-edge machine applique. When you 'window pane' the larger pieces, the finished product is soft and not stiff at all.

I really like Misty Fuse, it is light weight and does not gum up the needle.

I bought Wonder Under or Pellon (which really irritated me, trying to get it loose for the other side) because it was all I knew, tried Heat and Bond and found it is so much easier to use. Easier to peel, easier to press, etc. I bought it at Joann's and now they don't carry it anymore, but I found it cheap on eBay.

Joanns fabric does have 805 wonder under and heavy duty wonder under they do not carry heat and bond in the stores anymore that is only available online the Steam a Seam i believe changed name to something else by dritz

I just saw some applique tutorials by Christy F. (Sharon Schamber's daughter). She was using an applique material invented by Sharon. They sell it for $18.95 for 5 yards. It stays in the applique and adds to a trapunto look in the end.

I'm a Mistyfuse addict, too. So lightweight, and SO easy to iron your pattern onto without reversing the pattern!

Ifstamper, I sometimes use the used dryer sheets to back my applique pieces, it gives them a 3-d look.

I have also been doing this for more years than wonder under existed! I also use mostly WonderUnder, but there are times when i combine it with Misty Fuse. For large pieces I use freezer paper and Elmer's.

Very greatful this topic came up! I will definitely be changing my fusible applique product