Tips for using fusibles

I tried that fabric softener thing...it literally melted when it touched the iron (which was covered with goo). I think I use a bad brand of fabric softener sheets. Also, I think my "new" iron is truly defective. It has burned so many things (burned the ironing board cover THROUGH the silicon protective pad) and the bottom is already permantly gooed up and the stuff won't clean off and when I do use a tube of the goo off, it starts stacking back up again immediately. I feel really stupid. It was the first time I'd bought an iron with a shiney ironing surface rather than non-stick. I will never, ever do that again.

Sunny

It's all about what you get used to using Sunny.

You can buy a cover for the bottom of your iron that is non-stick for using with fusibles. There is also something called a pressing sheet that you place over your work while ironing to keep fusibles off your iron, but a cheaper version is to simply use an old pillowcase or piece of muslin. You might also use a lower heat setting. Remember the settings on the iron are just a guide, you don't have to use the cotton setting if a lower one is hot enough. No two irons heat the same, just like no two ovens heat the same. I've never had one with non-stick, only shiney. Teflon coatings last about two seconds in my house before they are nicked or scratched, so I'm not likely to ever buy one. I've also never had an iron that didn't get good and hot, so I wonder if the teflon makes an iron less able to heat up. Weren't the first teflon coated ones touted as never leaving a burn mark even if they sat in the same spot on fabric for several minutes? I just keep my shiney iron moving and cut it off when not using it. Debra in VA See my quilts at