I like to use wonderunder.

Yesterday I saw a really neat tutorial showing the Fusible Thread and it worked really neat. I haven't used it yet but am going to purchase some this week to do some appliques's on the tablerunners I am working on. You might check out the tute and see if maybe you would like to try that. I liked the fact that you can separate the bottom to cut it away which takes away the stiffness and bulk. I think it would work really good on circles. Check out the tute. In other times I have used lightweight fusible either wonder under or the other stuff that I call the bumpy stuff for lack of the correct terminology (mind not working today.) Hope this made sense to you.

I really like Shades soft fuse

I'm a Steam A Seam Lite user. Just remember not to use fabric softener with ANY fusible product. It will release from the softener.

Is this right?

With steam-a-seam, I'm never to use oftener when I wash the final product?

I've used steamN seam, heat N bond, and then I was introduced to Appli-kay by Florina it is amazing stuff.

Can one use 505 spray also?

Yesterday someone listed a link for the tutorials on fusible thread. It is on the superior threads website. I think in the future I will use this because it will make for possibly the softest fabric when finished.
Here's the link:
http://www.superiorthreads.com/video...s-fusible-web/

I always use Heat N Bond Lite. I've had only good results, and it's less stiff after washing.

I use a lot of Heat and Bond lite, but I do not like it for quilts that will be used on beds. I think it is too heavy. I like Steam a seam for bed quilts. Heat and Bond is fine for art quilts or wall hangings, purses, etc. :D

Good question -

I've heard one should NOT use fabric softeners BEFORE using the iron-on fusibles because they won't stick to the fabric -

I do wonder about AFTER -

Do you make test samples before going on to the whole project?

I always do test samples!
Once this project starts, I'll have an update on 'em.

You shouldn't use softener with ANY fusible product. You can check with the manufacturer of your particular product to be sure, but that is my understanding. I had a quilt shop for 8 years.

From Pellon's instruction sheet:


Care Instructions:
Washable, dry cleanable
Machine wash Warm, Delicate cycle.
Do not use fabric softener. Tumble dry Low

I do not know how anyone else feels about heat bond the kind you get from walmart but the strong hold makes the item you are appliquing hard and too tough to sew it will cause you to break needles or to prick yourself many times, now the light is not too bad but myself I do not like the strong at all. I did a hand applique and quilted quilt with that before I really knoew how and it turned out okay but it was hard and tough.

Oh PS: Steam a seem is the best use light

I buy Heat and Bind byt have 2 big rolls of Aleens and its the best!! I save it for special things for ME. They don't make it anymore.

and only buy it on sale at Joanns 50% off sales!

I purchased Misty Fuse from Keepsake Quilting. It does not make the applique stiff at all. Can be purchased in white or black.

heat n bond is now coming out with "featherweight" fusible...I sell bolts of the heat n bond light each month so I am anxious for the feather weight to arrive so I can see just how much lighter it will be!

my favorite is Steam A Seam 2 i have tried heat and bond but did not like it , i always wash my fabric before using anything or sewing with it

I am with Quiltingaz, as that is exactly what I was told at my LQS today!

TreeFrgo

I love love love steam a seam!

The price you paid was high. But when you live where those things aren't as accessable you pay what you pay. That's what we do. But when you are in a bigger city or town, load up then, you will save more than half. Should be around $2.00 a yard. good luck.

I usually use steam a seam lite.. I also have used a lot of wonderunder.. I like both products. I have not liked heat and bond that well.. When I use them on a quilt I don't like that stuck down look or feeling, so I cut out the shape, and then cut it again to take out the most of the inside leaving only a quarter inch or less.. I iron that to my applique, cut it to shape, and pull off the small slip of paper left and apply the applique to my piece.. Since I always stitch down my appliques in one fashion or another the bit of fusible left on the fabric disappears under the stitching and the piece feels like it was just stitched on.

Raw edge applique is my favorite. I use heat and bond lite because it works, it's less expensive than steam a seam 2 lite, it stays good for years, it holds in place for years without stitching it down and its available in a roll.

Steam a seam 2 lite is a very nice product, but I think heat and bond lite is easier to use.

Wonderunder may have changed in recent years, but the older it is the less it works, until it doesn't work at all. You used to need to use it within a year or it loses its properties.

Wonder under becaue it is readily available at Walmart and the price is right

Try the fusible thread by Superior, you'll never have to worry about any stiffness or cutting away any part !!

Usually use Wonder Under 805 Works for me.

I like steam a seam lite the best. It is easy to sew thru and not too stiff. I used it to make a Christmas project a few years ago. It had a lot of small pieces. A 1 inch tall cat has 6 colors. I was worried about it holding so I ran a test. I made one of the sheep and ran it thru the washing machine (with blue jeans and whatever) and dryer 6 times with no fraying. I didn't do any stitching on it. I am now a fan.

This is what I use normally and did so on several McKenna Ryan projects. I too cut out the center on the fusible if the pattern piece is large before doing the fusing. Usually I save all those pieces and any others scraps to use on smaller patterns. Hope this helps.

Sandwich the Misty Fuse between two pieces of parchment paper and iron. Now you have a paper backed very light weight fusible.

You can use Elmers Washable School Glue. I use it on die cut pieces like those from Keepsake.

I'll have to try that, thanks. Now that I've learned how to transfer cutting lines directly to the web so I'm not always cutting paper with my good scissors, I've been wanting to try some Misty Fuse. It's nice to know it can be papered if necessary...more versaitile that way.

I like steam to seam. I'll have try misty fuse. Where do you get it?

Agree with Carol - steam a seam lite 2 - plus it has the advantage that you can place it on the 'background' material and 'rub it with your hand' to make it 'stick'. Then if the position is not correct, you can remove and replace it. Do this before the final step of ironing it in place for its final spot. This is GREAT IF YOU HAVE MANY PIECES to applique!

Me, too. Heat and bond is too thick and if you want to sew through it, it messes up your needle. froggyintexas

When I appliqued circles, I did E. Burns method. Light weight fusible interfacing sewed around all the way, cut a small slit in the back, turned right side out, fused to quilt and then zigzagged around. Turned out great. See in my avitar.

I lived in Bothell,WA for 11 years -- Your JoAnn Fabrics and the Hancock Fabrics both carry wonder under and have for years. I also like to use stitch witchery for applique. And, I agree about using lite - the lightest works best for machine or hand applique work.

I generally use Wonder Under for my fuseable applique. I had a bad experience with Heat and Bond gumming up my needle and causing problems with my machine. The newer light weight Heat and Bond seems to be better.