TOTAL newbie foul up... interfacing
 

let me start with... i just burned my finger on my iron... OUCH:thumbdown:

i want to make a zippered pouch. the directions said to use interfacing.
when i went to joann fabrics to buy the zipper, i also picked up some interfacing.

a couple days later, i read about ironing interfacing to the fabric. well, i just tried to iron a small piece of the interfacing to some scrap fabric and it MELTED. it looked like dissolving sugar. lol and i burned my finger!!

i'm assuming there are different kinds of interfacing. i'm also assuming that i did something wrong :o

help

you're welcome to help AFTER you stop laughing at me :rolleyes:

yes there are lots of different kinds of interfacings. and you need a Teflon pressing sheet to put under and on top of your projects. some use parchment paper. read your pattern for what kind of interfacing to use and then when shopping ask for help there too.

If I am laughing at all, it is at the memory of doing exactly the same thing (other than the burned finger). I can still remember the smell!

Just use a piece of parchment between the interfacing and your iron.

You will look back at this and chuckle.

What did youu use?

You probably had the iron setting too high.. Did you have it on Cotton. Turn it down to a medium setting Wool/Silk setting. I have done that before and the featherweight fusible just dissolves. Be sure to clean you Iron to removed any residue. Don't feel bad. We have ALL done it at one time or another !! :)

If the interfacing melted, you might have a wash away stabilizer. There are approximately 8,972 different types and weights of interfacing and stabilizers, made by many different companies. Interfacing stays in your completed project to add support. It can be sewn in or ironed on. The iron on stuff has heat activated adhesive on one or both sides, the sew in versions don't. Stabilizers are meant to be temporary, firming up the fabric so embellishments such as embroidery can be added, then they wash away or tear away. At many stores, everything is shelved together so you have to read the labels carefully & purchase the correct weight and type for your project. The pattern should tell you specifically what you need. There normally is a piece of paper that comes with your interfacing or stabilizer that gives you instructions on how to handle. Be sure and keep that and follow the instructions carefully, for instance it will tell you the temperature of your iron and if you need steam or not.

I would never laugh at you! There are as many reasons for that happening as there are types of interfacing. Go back to the store and talk to someone about the best type to use for your project. I hope you finger heals quickly and good luck with your project, those pouches are really cute.

well... a little update.

i decided to play with the temperature of the iron. i originally had it on "linen"... i worked through different temps, i got the best results with "wool." it sticks nicely to the fabric, but it's not what i want for the project.

i'll be re-reading the pouch tutorial and then heading back to joanns tomorrow morning.

in the meantime, i cut my fabric and am ready to rock and roll for tomorrow.

thank you all for the kind words and not pointing and laughing at the new kid. if you would have only heard the choice words i used when it just dissolved into nothing lol

Hi Libby
First let me assure you that you did make a mistake. The good news is - there is no quilting technique that requires physical injury. I don't personally use interfacing very often, but I have found that ironing a length of freezer paper (shiny side down) to the ironing board before I start fusing is an easy way to protect my ironing board cover.
Take a look at make it love it.com. Good pics and lots of info about why you would choose one interfacing over another.
Btw - great colors on your avatar - color choice is all important for quilters
Lefty - in Philly

Not laughing, just remembering the things I've done so far since I've started sewing, quilting, etc. I remember one time when I was a kid...I was hand sewing something and sewed it right to my jeans leg. Yep, also remember losing my needle and found it when I sat in the chair I had been sewing in.
See, we've all done something. The good thing is, you are not alone and you can get all kinds of help from everyone here on this board. We'll be looking forward to seeing your projects.

One more thing, honey on a burn helps take away the pain and doesn't blister. My son got burned with some hot wax when helping my DIL make candy. He immediately put honey on it and it never hurt or blistered. Same thing with my husband. Burned his arm on the radiator of son's car and the honey stopped the pain and no blistering.