I'm getting back into quilting after 15 years off! I saw fusible batting at JoAnn's and wondered what others thought of it. I am making a lap quilt for a Christmas gift and will send it out to be quilted. I will ask whomever will do it if THEY like it, but wanted some input from experienced quilters, too.
Thank you

I think if you are sending it out to be quilted, you should not use the fusible without first speaking to the person quilting it. The long arm machines pull each layer of fabric, batting, backing from separate rollers.

I've never used it myself, but haven't really heard many positive comments.

I used the Hobbs fusible on a large lap quilt, more a single bed size really, and it worked great. Laid down the dining room protector pad, laid down some tablecloths, put down the batt and then the backing and steamed it in place, but when I went to turn it over to put on the top, the table cloth was stuck in some place!s Fusible ...duh. But the tablecloth peeled right off and I put the top on. Steamed it and it worked just fine, never had to pin anything. I'll use it again, very pleased with it.

I used it and I hate it, it wouldn't stick. Longarmers will tell what batting to buy, but I usually get mine from the longarmer. She/he gets a little profit and I don't have to ship or buy. The prices are comparable to me going to the store to get.

For yourself it's fine, not for a Long arm quilter though.

I use it for everything at home except hand quilting. If it's by machine, it's fusible. You might also like the basting spray, but I haven't tried it personally. Always been happy with the fusible and just never got around to the spray.
I have no opportunity to send out to a longarm quilter, but if I did I would have them supply the batting they felt most appropriate.

The problem with this batting, is that if you use starch(which I do) it won't adhere well. I've found this out the hard way. So, it's limiting in it's uses (for me).

"The problem with this batting, is that if you use starch(which I do) it won't adhere well. I've found this out the hard way. So, it's limiting in it's uses (for me)."

Thanks for the info Candace! I want to try one of Anita Grossman Solomon's Rotary Cutting Revolution quilts, and they all involve starch.
What do you usually use? Do you know if the basting spray will work with starch? I really REALLY hate pinning! LOL

You might want to start a separate thread in regards to does basting spray work with starch. I *think* people have stated that they've had problems with starched material and the basting spray. But, I don't use it, so I can't tell you for sure. If you start a new topic, people will see it and comment. I would rather give up everything else convenient before my starch, though!

I use it for bags and small projects, but never used it for quilts.

I've tried fusible batting, and while I like how it worked, the smell of the chemical in it really bothered me. Heating up a glue while I'm standing over it and being able to smell it means I'm inhaling it, which I was not pleased with. I won't use it again.

Yes, I am sensitive to smells too. I have only used it a few times on baby quilts or table runners. I would rather use pins as I don't like the basting spray floating around either. I think for small projects its fine.

I tried it but didn't care for it.

if you are send to a long arm quilter fusable batting is a waste of money...quilts are loaded backing first, then the top with the batting (floating) in between the sandwich is not put together ahead of time.
some people have luck with fusable batting, some have lots of trouble with it. it would be best to use on small projects (wall hangings). but if you are sending your quilt out it is probably not what you want.

I love fusible batting and basting spray, as hours of tedious pinning or basting just doesn't fit with my life! I fusible-basted a kingsized quilt once---the ironing took time, I admit, but was still OK and made it VERY easy to quilt with nothing moving around!

me too, i would use it only for a wall hanging. not anything bigger.

I like fusible batting for table runners and other small projects that won't be wrapped on/over me. It seems kind of stiff, and I don't want that in a quilt.

As for starch and spray adhesive, I've never had a problem. I use Best Press and 505 or Sulky; maybe other products don't play well together. There is a fairly recent thread on this topic.

It works great for bags and smaller projects, but I like 505 fusible spray for my large quilts.

I heard a terrible story from a QS about Joann's fusible batting. The lady said that 2 different quilters used fusible batting from Joann's and it ended up being perminate and bleed thru the top and ruined the quilt. Beware!!!!!!

"I like fusible batting for table runners and other small projects that won't be wrapped on/over me. It seems kind of stiff, and I don't want that in a quilt."

The first time I tried it, I bought a twin size pkg at Walmart. It felt stiff and weird and I wasn't too sure about using it again.........until I threw the quilt in the washing machine. I always wash the quilt when I'm finished, and it came out soft and drapey. Just what I wanted. Now I buy off the roll at my LQS. Just lucky maybe, but I've never had a problem.

I think it gets stiffer after it is ironed on. I use it for totes that I want to stand on their own and not be limp but not for quilts that I want to be comfy soft.

After reading through this thread from the first, I started to wonder about my batting choices and did a little research. I am pleasantly surprised, and I also learned something about basting spray.
Here is the conclusion of the study:
'Fusible battings appear to be an acceptable commercial adhesive-containing product for quilts intended as heirlooms or for sale to collectors or museums.
All the quilt-basting sprays, except Spray and Fix, were associated with significant yellowing or strength losses following both shorter and longer periods of heat-aging and light exposure.
Fusible webs, while acceptable for quilts intended to last for a lifetime, could not be recommended for quilts intended to be handed down from generation to generation or for studio art quilts intended for sale to serious collectors or museums.'

Here is the link to the entire study for anyone wanting more information:

http://cool.conservation-us.org/jaic...44-01-003.html

Nice article! Thanks!

I make BIG quilted stuffed hounds and the fusible batting is wonderful for this kind of project. I piece the fabric together then cut out the various pieces of the hound. I then drape muslin over the ironing board, lay out the batting then lay my pieced fabric pieces out and iron them on. I do throw a couple of pins in and then cut the batting and muslin to fit the top pieces. Then I press both sides of the pieces. This makes it really easy to quilt the pieces and assemble the hound. I think for projects like this the fusible batting is perfect. Anything else I use warm and natural but I intend to use the spray basting next time for a bigger item. I'll try to post a picture of a couple of my hounds.

Right - the fusible washes out during the first wash. It's fine for the right application. As a longarmer, I would have to load the quilt a little differently if it had fusible. I'd recommend asking the person you intend to take it to what their thoughts are. But, for a purse or wall-hanging, it works well.

oops...didn't see the article - off to read it :)

If you wish to keep the layers from slipping, why not use a spray and do it very lightly? I also find that the cotton battings seem to "hold" the other layers the best.

I use fusible batting when I am embroidering a quilt. It doesn't pucker around the design. Love it.

Thanks for the info Candace! I want to try one of Anita Grossman Solomon's Rotary Cutting Revolution quilts, and they all involve starch.
What do you usually use? Do you know if the basting spray will work with starch? I really REALLY hate pinning! LOL[/quote]

I starch heavly, and have had no problem using basting spray. Works just fine.

I took Anita's class and she bastes her quilt sandwich with water soluble thread and washes the quilt when finished.

I don't care for the fusible batting. The basting spray works better for me.

I used it wonce and did not like it. Even after washing several times it seems stiff. I think the basting spray and Sharon Schambers way of sandwiching the quilt is the way to go.

I am finishing a wall hanging and used the fusable batting. I will not use it again because unless it is absolutely perfectly straight it is not easy to manuever.

Don't like it. I used it once and said "Never Again!!"

I use the fusible on smaller projects and really like it. I LOVE the spray adhesive but it does require a lot of smoothing of the layers to make it come out right. Good luck.

Didn't care for it.

I didn't like it at all.. the only place I use fusible is when I make totes or bags.. but never for quilts..

I use basting spray and I've had great results with it.

I use the spray and wanted to try fusible. Can you share some pros & cons of each? I'll NEVER go back to pinning so it's one or the other for me.

Fusible batting is best for wallhangings and crafts like handbags becasue it is not nearly as soft and cozy as regular batting. I'd not use it for even a lap quilt, and I'd suspect that a quilter you sent it to wouldn't either.

Starch, are you useing it for basting? I used the basting spray on my last lap quilt and the fabric was not sticking.

I have used the fusible batting for quilted jackets, bags and quilt-as-you-go quilts. It worked wonderfully for me. I don't know if I would use it on a big project, but small ones work great.