Who has used Insulbright? I just made some coasters with it and i did hexagons. I stitched them with a blanket stitch. my machine finally messed up when i changed the bobbin, so l cleaned it out. i found some silver slivers in there. That worried me a lot. i don't like that.
has anyone made pot holders or other things and done lots of machine stitching? I certainly won't use insulbright in my coasters again but would like to make some pot holders one day. maybe just not too much quilting designs on them.

I have used it for several table runners and a hot pot holder and love it. I did notice one or two silver flecks but they cleaned out nicely. I don't think the silver flecks should be any more problematic than other lint, fabric fibers or thread pieces. It really isn't like aluminum foil in texture or anything abrasive. IMHO. But you really need to use your own judgement about what your are comfortable doing. Myself, I just bought a whole roll online for a good price. Probably enough for the rest of my natural years.

thanks. I had trouble doing the blanket stitch on four inch hexagons but got them done. i love doing SunBonnet Sue appliques because i turn the fabric the opposite way than the hexagons would go. still they did turn out nicely. I gave a few away at the office and of course got requests for more.

I don't like the way insulbrite feels. I've used it in potholders but honestly it doesn't stop the heat that much from what I can tell.

I used double thick all cotton fabric inside my pot holders and it worked perfectly. I use mine daily and they keep the heat out just fine. What I did to test first: I made a pocket of fabric, put on layer in.. tested..too warm (put cookie sheet in oven to get hot).. did one layer cotton puffy fill in.. almost good enough. did one layger cotton puffy filling with one layer of thin cotton quilt batting and that was plenty insulated enough. Two layers of the puffy filling is too hard to get in the machine for me. Three layers of the thin cotton batting also worked. My daughter made over 2 dozen pot holders for gifts this year and they are used and well loved. (her first projects learning how to use a sewing machine).

yes, if insulbright has a right side and a wrong side, i can't tell.
When i make pot holders i may just put two layers of cotton batting.
when doing the hex's i had to fill my bobbin, put it back in and lowered my needle to bring up the bobbin thread and it got stuck. wouldn't move at all. so i took the plate off and cleaned it out. scared me. I worried i'd broken my machine. if i use more of this insulbright i will certainly clean my machine more often. not fond of the stuff now, so won't buy more.

Yes, Insulbright has a right side and a wrong side. The shiny side goes towards the heat source in order to work. It reflects the heat back to the source that way.

Also, Elisabrat, if you mean you are using poly batting in potholders when you say "puffy fill", please be careful. Poly will melt if it gets too hot. Cotton batting is the best to use with insulbright in anything that will have close contact with heat.

Insulbright is also good to use for keeping things cold, so it is perfect for food carriers for hot or cold dishes. Again, shiny side faces the food dish. :D

Yes, I've used insulbright for potholders but now you've made me start to worry. I would hate to "mess up" my machine expecially when a couple of layers of batting would do the job just as well.

I use batting in mine.

You can also use the silver stuff used for ironing board covers along with cotton batting. JoAnn's sells it by the yard.

can't tell which side. they are both shiny to me.
and i have some ironing board stuff somewhere too. silver quilted stuff.You should see my sewing room! maybe not!!

Most of the time I use 2 layers of cotton batting...I haven't notice a significant difference. :D:D:D

I checked the heat protection when I did my daughters potholder, and I used 1 layer of cotton batting along with the insulbrite. Had no problems with my machine due to the use of insulbrite...but then I have seen a machine the same model as mine sew together fur pelts like it was nothing....Can you imagine the "lint" from that?? lol

:shock: What exactly do you drive, nursie??

Drive..lol
A Bernina

teehee, I should have known! :D

When using Insulbrite, do less quilting. The more quilting the less heat resistant it is due to all the needle holes and thread.

I've used Insulbrite many times with no problems. I put it in my place mats and hot pads. I use one layer of Insulbrite and two layers of Warm N Natural. It does keep the heat out nicely, however, there is condensation on the table when you pick them up. Insulbrite does have a top and a bottom. The side where you can see the silver stuff crinkly is the top and this is the side that should face the heat source. One thing I really like about Insulbrite is that it makes your item less flimsy. Place mats sit flat on the table and keep their shape well.

I've also used the quilted and non-quilted silver ironing board stuff. The quilted stuff is great, but can be difficult to quilt through because it's so thick. If I'm using just the silver stuff, I sandwich two layers of batting in between the silver stuff with the silver stuff on the outsides. Have made many pot holders this way. All of mine are now very thin on the inside after repeated washings, but still keep the heat out!

Could you please tell me where you got the roll from?

Thanks! Happy New Year.

I've been using insulbright for years in pot holders and love it. Never had a problem with my machine and I only use a single layer, by itself. Mine seem to work just fine.....

I made 50 potholders for Christmas using insulbrite. I cut the insulbrite 1/2 inche shorter and therefore did not sew through it. Worked wonderful for me and everybody loved their potholders. Will attach a pic of a few of them. EllenK

I've used insulbrite. The quilting was minimal, and the potholders do their job. I don't know about using a blanket stitch. It seems to me that would be too much for the product.

Sure have used Insulbrite. Love it for pot holders mitts, and hot pads. I use a layer of Warm and Natural on each side. Just make sure to clean out machine after each use.
I am a teacher and I always instruct new sewers on the benefits of clean machines and new needles for each project.
I remember one older lady coming to class and afterwards she told me she thought the "felt pad" in her bobbin case was supposed to be there! No wonder her first home projects needed remedial repairs.
It only takes a few moments to clean & change a needle-really will improve your sewing.
Love to all and Happy New Year.

I will be glad to....as soon as I can find the box it came in. Things got shifted around over the holidays and I can't find the email confirmation email right now. So....give me a day or so and I will have that info for you.

Have a great day!

The canned air intended for computers is near my sewing machines. It helps keep all the lint and such out of my way!

Ok, I got the roll of insul-bright from fabric.com because at the time with shipping figured in it was cheaper than the rest of the places online. I just checked and I was incorrect it is 45" wide (must have looked wider on the roll). It was $4.25/yd. But I see it is out of stock until 1/5/10. Joann has it on sale on-line at least, for $4.54 for a 1yd package if you don't need a longer continuous length for a runner and if you google for a coupon, there is a coupon for free shipping for orders over $25 and/or a coupon for 10% total order (not sure if works for sale items), but I think the coupons expire today or tomorrow. Also the Ben Franklin site lists a 1 yard package for $4.93, but don't know if they have it in-store. Gosh, there weren't all these options when I got mine, but I still got a good deal. Good Luck!

Be careful using canned air in computerized sewing machines as it could mess things up.

I get Insulbrite at JoAnn's. I don't have a big sewing room and it's kind of bulky, so I only buy 1-2 yards at a time. I always use a coupon for it.

Canned air is not recommended for ANY sewing machines, computerized or not. It drives the lint deep into areas you cannot clean and packs it tightly.

How interesting. My Bernina dealer recommended it....however they did tell us to aim from the rear of the machine, through where the throat plate goes, and spray out. Probably for just that reason.

ALWAYS use a mini vacuum cleaner to clean machine. Never canned air! I keep mine on shelf just below notion drawer in sewing table. Always handy, and i'm more apt to use because it is in sight.
Bought my mini through Nancy's notions. Don't know how i ever lived without it.

I just made 50 Ohio State "o"'s as candle matts for my daughters wedding reception and used insulbright so the heat of the candles would not melt the plastic tablecloths. I loved it and so did everyone else because after all the effort, I did not even get one to keep. Yes, it has a right and wrong side. The shiny side needs to go where the heat will be---if your pot holders are not protecting your hands, then you probably have the shiny silver side to the part that your hand touches.
We tested the candle holders with the matts I made and without on the plastic tablecloths and they really made a difference.

That's great info, thanks!

I use insulbrite and warm and natural for my potholders. I make them just like a quilt, but only 9" square. I've given them as gifts, they seem to love them. I have made some for myself and wouldn't use anything else.
I'd say don' take something hot out of the oven and walk to blocks with it, I imagine it will get pretty hot!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!
simple quilter

I could swear it says on the package it has no right or wrong side. I'll have check that out when I buy some more. My package is thrown away, as I only have little of it left.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.
simple quilter

I've heard not to use canned air either. It sends the lint and whatever back into the machine. I also use my small vacuum attachments.

HAPPY NEW YEAR
simple quilter

wow, thanks for all of the comments on this thread

When I was in Junior school (many moons ago) we made an oven cloth and our teacher got us to use an old matted up knitted jumper (100% wool) for the fill, we used cotton fabric one side and plain sacking/hessian on the other. To this day I use the same method to make my oven cloths and it works well, easy to sew through and cheap. Wool does not burn like cotton does and if thick enough, keeps the heat out.
Gal

Yes, I have. What size needle are you using? It could cause you to have more build up if you're using too large a needle. I haven't experiences this, I made a total of 42 hot pads, using daystyledesigns free motion flowers and then filling in the flowers background with pebbling, and didn't have that problem.

I use old towels for pot holders, I usually use a double thickness and they work great.

I know this is an old thread but the info here is great. Since this was 4 years ago is there anything else out there that works as good or is better then insulbrite? Any other tip that might be helpful? I'm wanting to make insulated covers for cold items. Thanks