Preparing for Applique
 

I'm trying my 1st applique project and I don't know if I'm supposed to wash the fabrics beforehand. I'm going to use fusible web.

Should I wash all my fabrics before I applique?

Another question - does grain matter? I know I'll need bias for flower stems, but what about flower petals? Does grain matter?

I'm not washing my fabric. And grain will matter with hand quilting. I don't know if it matters with the fusible. With hand applique cutting on the bias makes for easier curves.

I've only done needle turn, and perhaps different concerns apply with fusible. I've heard people say that washed fabric will ravel more easily than unwashed, but I don't know if that's a concern when doing fusible. I wash everything, including my applique fabrics, and I've never had a problem. I learned from the Piece 'O Cake ladies, and they cut everything on the bias because the edges are then easier to turn (which, again, might not be an issue with fusible).

If you wash the fabric, you can use spay sizer or starch to make the pieces easier to work with. Benefit of preaching is you don't put many hours of work into something and then have it bleed.

wash yes.....apply starch for sure.

are you planning on putting a fusible onto the back and then fusing it to the backing? Will you be then stitching down the edges (either straight stitch or a blanket) If so, I don't think either prewashing or worrying about bias is needed as the fusible will both keep it from stretching and you won't be able to turn under, which is why you want that bias on curves when you hand turn applique.

Either don't wash it all or wash it all. Don't wash just some of it.
Marcia

Some fusibles don't adhere properly to fabrics that are not prewashed. Factory sizing keeps the fusible from making a good bond. I know for a fact this is true with the product Misty Fuse but for some it doesn't matter as long as it stays put long enough to secure the fusible with stitching. I can't say for sure about other products.

i would definitely pre-wash. as prev said, gets the finishing chemicals out for best adhesion

When I use Steam A Seam II on the back of my applique the directions say to wash fabric to get sizing out. I put my fabric in a bowl of water with a drop or two of dawn, swish around a little with my hand, rinse and roll up in a towel to remove excess water, then hang on hangers using clothes pins till dry. Then iron, then fuse. I tried to fuse without washing but it wouldn't stick properly. Finally decided the fusible manufactures new what they were talking about. It takes more time to start with but pays off in the end. I don't pre-wash any of my other material.

Wash your fabric for sure. Starch is several times. Applique will turn out much nicer.

Hi Pudge! I make and sell iron on and other styles of applique. Try to always wash your fabric before applying any iron on appliques. It removes the excess dye and sizing so the adhesive stays better. I sell all my appliques with Heat n Bond LITE or Ultrahold as backing. I'm not sure what brand of adhesive you're using, but I understand that the "webbing" kind, such as Steam a Seam allows you to sew it down without gumming up your needle. The Heat n Bond Lite does as well, and if you use the LITE, you MUST sew the pieces down to avoid lifting in the laundering process. But the use of the Ultrahold does not require sewing. Hope that helps.

Cutting your fabric on the straight or bias grain doesn't matter. the adhesive backing acts as a stabilizer and the fabric won't skew.

I never wash

The fusable web l use says to wash the fabric in the instruction sheet.

Thanks for all the great advice! I did prewash all fabrics. Now my question is - which batting should I use for this wallhanging?
[ATTACH=CONFIG]571019[/ATTACH]

If you don't wash it, the adhesive on the fusible will stick to the sizing in the fabric. Yes to wash, no to starch - same issue. Doesn't matter about the grain. The fusible will stabilize it.

I would not like to use fusible under my applique pieces. I learned from Pat Campbell years ago (needle turn method) and I love it! I have quilts, pillows, clothes made using her needle turn method. IMHO, one does the work only once, not 2 or 3 times.

Your wall hanging is so pretty. I think Warm and Natural or White are usually what is preferred for wall hangings because it is kinda stiff so it hangs nicely.