Wonder Under/Applique Trouble

I'm appliquing a quilt for my ds. I used some old Wonder Under or Heat N Bond that was in the craft cabinet. It didn't stick very well when I ironed it on. Now it's gumming up the needle after about 1" of zigzag stitching. I've re-ironed it, using a hotter iron. It didn't dissolve, but it did stick better. It's still gumming up the works, shredding the thread and making it impossible to sew even a 4" line.

Do I need to trash the bobbin thread too? Wiping the needle with alcohol allows me to sew for about 2" before I have shredded thread. It is clearly sticking to the needle.

I did so want to finish this by Christmas for my boy. but right now I'm so angry I could spit pins.

Any ideas on solving this?

How long are you ironing it for? 'Iron-On' is really a misnomer: 'fusible' is a better term, and you really need a hot iron, a damp cloth, and 20 seconds pressure for each iron-sized area. After the first 10 seconds I 'shimmy' the iron to avoid a hard pressed iron shaped indent on the cloth. This is where the pressing cloth comes in handy! My roll of Bondaweb Wunder Under is more than 5 years old, and I never have any problem with it. Neither do the kids! But be aware that some fabrics stick better than others, and you won't get a good fuse to anything coated or treated with size, fabric conditioner, and some poly blends. I usually get a fuse that is good enough for the sewing duration. If you are not getting that, try spray-basting the bits in place instead: not usually as firm a hold as a proper Bondaweb, but I have had success with it.

Haven't tried it, but try rubbing the needle with liquid silicone or Thread Heaven (in a tiny blue plastic cube). Nancycog in MD

Which type of Wonder Under did you use? There are two types -- one used for appliqué, etc. that you can sew through, the other is NOT for use if you want to sew through it. If you have used that type -- the NO SEW type -- there is absolutely NO WAY to easily sew through the stuff. You'll just have to keep sewing a few inches and then cleaning the needle and fixing the thread. CiaoMeow >^;;^<