Choice of fusibles?

I like to use the knit fusible when I want stability without stiffness. It's not always to find the stuff so when I run across it, I buy a bunch. I need to get some more since I pretty much depleted my stash on the kimono silks. CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at

Please use a fusible. Will SAVE the panel. Case in point: made 2 baby quilts with panels in middle.one Mama SAVED it....Its perfect: other mama let baby love it...middle part literally fell apart. yes, I made baby another 'normal' quilt with .5" seams. This was over 20 years ago.

HTH Butterfly. (you know how stiff those fusibles were then)

Anytime I need to stabilize something like you're talking about, I always use a lightweight fusible knit. It stabilizes without adding weight and doesnt' change the hand at all.

Donna in SW Idaho

I think you are talking about "Touch of Gold" fusible, woven interfacing. One thing to remember about many of the "soft" fusibles is that they are sort of a "temporary" fuse. They are often designed to be used on items that need a cooler ironing temperature, and will fuse for the duration of the construction but often are meant to loosen when laundered. This is one way that they work to not change the hand of the fabric. I love the knit fusible, and use it in almost everything. There are a couple of brands around, Fusi-knit is one. There is also a wide version available at some on line places. (Wide being 45-50 inch or so. The stuff that you buy in most fabric stores has been cut in half or thirds from the full width of the original stuff. )

As for the original question... Polly, personally I wouldn't bother too much about it. The quilt panels for kids that actually end up in a quilt will either be used to pieces (hopefully) or hung on a wall. In any case I would just make it up and go. It may not last as long as you might want, but it will be loved anyway. In most cases, you will be able to tell potential quality by the fabric company name. And where you buy the panel.

Have fun,

Pati, > There's a very light, soft and flexible woven cotton fusible, don't

Thank you all. I found an 'Old Glory' panel that has some flags and hearts with stars and stripes. I'd like to use some of it in a quilt for our wounded military - but wanted to add some strength to the fabric. I appreciate your input. Wonder why panels such as these as well as the baby ones always seem to be printed on shabby fabric? Polly

My biggest complaint with panels isn't the shabby fabric, but the fact that almost all of them are not printed square. Just try to square one up - they're almost always wonky!

Donna in SW Idaho

I found that to be true when I bought a panel of square blocks... Kitty Cucumber ...to make a baby quilt. If I'd had known before I wouldn't have washed it before cutting and sewing ..The washing put them out of their squareness just a tad and were a pain to cut and sew into sq. blocks. Next time I try panels there will be no prewashing ! Also, when I took a class recently for the four patch posie we were told to not wash the fabric before hand for the same reason.