heat n bond or steam a seam?

I've tried various fusibles, but prefer steam a seam lite (or is it light?). You have to sew the edges down - but I'd be doing that on a babyquilt anyway.

I prefer it because, it works like it says on the package: I've never had a problem getting it to stick (starched fabric or not), and it doesn't leave residue on my needle.

I've used it for lettering on towels that went to soccer practise and games until the towel fell apart and no problem.

And it is not stiff on the quilt after.

HTH Hanne in DK

I actually prefer Wonder Under -- but I would suggest on any of the larger pieces you do the following regardless of which brand you select.

1) Trace your piece onto the fusible. 2) Cut out 1/8" on the OUTSIDE of your drawn line. 3) Cut out 1/8" to 1/4" on the INSIDE of your drawn line. 4) Then fuse to you fabric.

By leaving a bit of the fusible on the OUTSIDE of your drawn line -- when you cut out your appliqué piece -- you will be certain to have fusible all the way to the edge of your piece.

By removing the fusible from the center of your appliqué piece -- you will remove the "heaviness" that you sometimes have with fusibles. It will not only make the quilt softer -- but easier to quilt if you plan to do any quilting inside your appliqué pieces (I usually do an outline or an echo or something like that on the larger pieces.)

I've done many fusible appliqué quilts. The early ones I didn't remove the "inner fusible" on the pieces and they are still a bit stiff. The more recent quilts have it removed... and they are nice and soft and huggable!

And, whichever you choose, do read the instructions. ( I realize full well that reading instructions is totally unnatural). The iron temp and whether to keep moving or don't move make a heap of difference in your success. Polly

I've found that Misty Fuse is good for not making things stiff, but it's standard version comes without a backing, so it's not easy to copy applique templates on to it, there are instructions on the pack and various methods online, you definitely need an applique pressing sheet and it's a fuss, but less fuss than all the stitching which you have to do for almost every method!

It also doesn't gum up your needle, but I haven't had that problem with other fusibles that I've tried, but then I've generally only done one block at a time.

Cheers Anne

Kate, I think I'm getting your instructions. Does that mean that you are left with maybe 1/2" of fusible just going around the edge then? Nothing in the middle of the applique? I have a sheep applique quilt on my 'to do' list and will have to try that method. Donna

I love Misty Fuse. I've had nothing but trouble with Wonder Under (regardless of whether I read/follow instructions or not). Steam a Seam is fine, but I still like Misty Fuse better. There is now a new form of Misty Fuse that won't react to UV rays and so you can be assured that it will never darken inside a project someday far in the future when a careless heir leaves the quilt hanging in bright sunlight.

Sunny

Yes, Donna -- just an "empty picture frame" that you press to the wrong side of your fabric. When you cut out your appliqué piece -- you will have a "frame" of fusible around the perimeter of your piece.

Hmmmm

I've used it for years and years and never had a lick of trouble. HOT iron -- and how long I press it never seemed to make a difference. There are a few that say silk setting for 1-2 seconds or something like that. I can never seem to get those to stick.

Guess buy (or borrow a swatch from friends) and try a few different ones and see what works best for you!

Thanks, Kate. I can't wait to try your technique. Donna

Do NOT use Heat'n'Bond Ultra if you plan to stitch through it. It is made ONLY for non-stitched appliqué. I would not recommend using it on anything that will get used like a baby quilt might. I have had good results with Heat'n'Bond Lite and Steam-a-Seam 2. The nice thing about Steam-a-Seam 2 is that it is a little sticky without fusing so it can be stuck down and easily re-positioned until it is fused.

Julia > Good morning everyone

I like Soft Fuse, a product from Stacy Michell, Marty's daughter. It's just like Misty Fuse, but with paper backing. I am traditional in that I like having the paper backing. I had trouble with Misty Fuse, and like having the paper to draw my design on first....

Nancy

Will you be using machine appliqué? Have you decided on the stitch? I like the look of the blanket stitch appliqué, but the satin stitch is pretty too. The latter may be the best choice for a sturdy baby quilt. Pat in Virginia

Oops. Pat in VA saw it and I didn't. No opinion from me about which fusible is best but I do have heaps of experience with baby quilt appliqué. Every time it is reasonably possible do it double. That is - take 2 pieces of the fabric placed face-to-face, stitch around, clip, slash and turn. If the appliqué piece is so wee like maybe eyeballs on a gnat, you can't, of course. All you have to do with a faced and turned appliqué piece is glue stick it in place and blanket stitch around. When I made a 'bunny sleeping on the moon' quilt for my doctor's new baby that is the method I used. Dr says that quilt has 'attached' and has been washed at least twice a week for a year. Not even the bunny's tail (which is a Minkee appliqué) has given up. Frankly, I thought the moon looked more like 'bunny sleeping on a banana' but her baby loves it. If you're doing a Baltimore for Paducah, this method is probably primitive; for a baby quilt - a really best method. Polly

"Pat in Virginia"

If you use a very light weight fusible interfacing for the back, you can simply fuse the appliqué in place & skip the glue stick. Put the fusible side of the interfacing to the right side of the appliqué fabric, stitch, clip, slash, and turn. Then fuse to the background fabric and stitch it down.

Julia > Oops. Pat in VA saw it and I didn't. No opinion from me about which