Fusible Applique Question
 

When doing fusible applique, do you fuse the interfacing to the entire piece, or just to the perimeter of the piece you are adhering? Example: You want to fuse a triangle to a background. Do you put fusible on the entire triangle or just around the perimeter of the triangle? I want to make a Sunbonnet Sue using fusible applique, but I am not sure how to fuse the pieces of Sue to each other and then to the background.

I hope this is clear. Thanks in advance for your help.

It depends a lot on what fusible you are using. Some fusibles stiffen up applique pieces quite a bit. I would classify Wonder Under and regular Heat n Bond as stiff. When using these, especially on large pieces, you want to "window" the fusible, leaving it only around the edges. A soft fusible such as MistyFuse does not stiffen the applique pieces, so there is no need to "window".

MistyFuse is a very lightweight fusible web that does *not* come with a paper backing. However, it's pretty easy to add one. Just iron the MistyFuse between two pieces of parchment paper and then, while the fusible is still warm, peel off one of the pieces. You now have paper-backed fusible! I have not done this recently, so I'm not sure what kind of marker would work on parchment paper. Maybe someone else knows. I would probably cut out the shapes I want in freezer paper and iron those on the right side of the fabric before cutting out. When you are ready to fuse the applique to the background fabric, peel off the paper backing of the fusible.

If you are not sure how stiff a fusible will be, buy several and compare practice pieces. You can tell quickly whether the fused applique is stiff or not, and how stiff.

Edit: Are you intending to sew around the applique edges? The fusibles that don't require this are generally quite stiff. If you use something like MistyFuse, you really need to sew around the applique edges.

Thanks Prism. I have used mainly Steam-a-Seam2 Lite and it does get somewhat stiff. I have a package of Mistyfuse and will try that, especially with adding a paper backing. Thanks for the idea!

I should add the step where you fuse the MistyFuse to the wrong side of the applique fabric before cutting out your shapes.

It is well worth the time to (window) just leave the perimeter and cut away the centre, if the shape is large enough. It leaves the applique feeling much softer. I usually get all motivated picking my fabrics when I start a project and forget to cut them out though. It's not a disaster with the steam a seam 2 light, it is quite soft (haven't tried misty fuse). But wonder under was stiff as a board and very noticeable on the finished quilt.

Once Wonder-Under has been washed, it softens considerably. Even so, I window large pieces. (Windowing also lets you make the most economical use of the fusible.) I hated Steam-a-Seam. It gummed up the needle somethin' awful.

I will chime in that I have used wonder under, and steam a seam lite. But I am doing a BOM with Sue Pelland and she does raw edge using misty fuse only- as mentioned above- you MUST fuse the fabric before fussy cutting the shapes, but it comes out soft as butter. I don't think I will ever go back to using a fusible with a release paper- it's so much easier and softer! There is no gumming on the needle at all either. Now what to do the whole roll of wonder under I have lol!

Try soft fuse. It comes with backing on one side. I use it for wool applique and it does not gum up the needle. You do have to use a good bit of steam to adhere it though

Yikes!!!! What an excellent tip. Now I want to run and get some MistyFuse. I have never used it.

Iceleopard, I have just finished working on a fused quilt using steam a seam 2 lite. I followed the video on their website instead of reading the instructions. BIG MISTAKE! She does not steam it and only irons it for a few seconds. Broken needles, frayed thread and much hair pulling later, finally I read the proper instructions- If you would like do a finishing stitch, it's recommended to use a steam iron and to iron press for 30+ seconds. - Much better!