Help! A dumb question, I"m sure... well, okay 2 questions.
 

Being a new quilter but a longtime lurker, I know that I can get my answers here. I am making a pieced wall hanging that also has some fusible applique on it. If I starch the pieces and sew them first, will the fusible applique pieces adhere to the starched areas properly when I iron them on? Hope I am explaining that correctly. And now to question number two..... I bought an old singer 15-91 at a Salvation Army for $75 and it is in awesome condition, but is it able to drop the feed dogs somehow? Or am I not able to fmq on it.... Oops, that might be another question... Thanks, in advance for any info.

I don' t use starch on applique pieces that are to be fused. The starch does interfere a bit with the fusing, but it also depends on how heavily you starched. Most fusibles will indicated that fabric tht has been washed to remove factory sizing and finishes is best...
As for the feed dogs... cover them with tape or taped cardboard if you can not lower them.

I don't see why not. I usually starch my stuff before I applique.

I don't know about the starch and fusible, but you can drop the feed dogs on a 15-91. If you have your manual, I think it is on page 33. You need to tip the machine back and to the right of the bobbin area there is a thumb screw that you loosen to "render inoperative" the feed. Hope this helps.

Pat

Wow, I knew someone would have the answers. This place is the greatest! Thank you, all... Now, off to lower my feed dogs, smile.

thanks for that. i have a 15-91 but don't have the manual :)

I always heard there is no such thing as a dumb question if you don't know the answer! :)

I've used starch with my fusible appliqué without any problems

I've used starch too, but it wasn't heavy starch.

As for the 15-91 manual, you'll find one here:

http://www.ismacs.net/singer_sewing_...e-manuals.html

:)

If you read the instructions that come with thw FW, it says not to starch fabric and I think washing the fabric is recomended. Sometimes I have a bit of trouble with the FW if I don't do this. rather than waist time, I do the prep!
peace