Interfacing
 

How long can you store interfacing etc before it goes off? I've been told to by steam a seam fresh every month to do a project is this correct?

As far as I know there is no expiration for interfacing. It should be fine as long as you store it properly.

I still have at least a half of bolt of Pellon featherweight interfacing for over 20 years and it works fine. Only problem is the pink from the instructions has bled slightly on the interfacing itself.

I have some I bought years ago that I still use with no problems.

what is considered properly?

I'm still using interfacing left from wedding dress business, which is probably 20 years old and still working well x

There is a difference between interfacing and ( applique fusibles) interfacing is a ( cloth like) product used to add body or keep fabrics from stretching....heavy weights used in collars, cuffs, stiff items; lightweights used behind knits, silks, etc to keep them stable.
Fusibles like steam a seam, heat n bond, wonder under are totally different products.
ive had wonder under and heat n bond that has lasted for years & is still usable. I would imagine that it depends on how it is stored. Protect it from humidity & it should last until you use it.

I think Steam a seam recommends fresh because it is a fusible that is tacky and sticks to itself before you fuse it down. It is perfect for art quilts and raw edge applique. If it is old, it loses that ability and acts like the other fusibles. Recently I took a class and several in the class had "old product". It just didn't work the same. But it did fuse like all the others once an iron was applied.

Thank you, ck. I was thinking of pointing out that interfacing and fusible bonding products were 2 different animals completely.

That being said, I've had both that I've had in my sewing room for years and still worked fine. As far as Pellon goes I have no idea. I don't like or use Pellon products often.

I would think the interfacing in stores is older than a month old.

I keep my fusibles sealed away from the air. My interfacing is stored like fabric.

My thoughts exactly!!

I have had the glue backing start to come off the paper portion (like wonder under for example) after some time.

Every month?? That stuff ain't cheap. I have some that's probably 10 yrs old and it still seems to work.

One month? That is ridiculous. I keep my for years, works fine....they sell it in huge rolls that lasts me for years. I have had separating interfacing new from the store....all depends on storage.

Seems like if it as only good for a month it would have to have an expiration on it. It is kind of expensive to just throw away. I have some though that is a few years old & is still good but I have had some that wouldn't fuse too. I just thought I might of done something wrong when I ironed it. Maybe I left the iron on too long or something. I don't know.

I have some I bought probably 20-30 years ago. I keep it in an upper cabinet and it never gets wet.
If and when I decide to use I bet it will be fine.

i've never had a problem with any of the products

I have bought Steam a Seam that is not sticky -- the shop owner would not take it back because it was still able to be ironed on (never mind that it did not stick without ironing). Frustrating since I wanted it for the sticky property. I store my water solubles in a plastic bin to keep them dry.