By: Pat Sloan
Way back when… before I was a quilter.. yes THAT long ago… I fused fabric to fabric. I started out by fusing fabric images to the front of sweatshirts. This is when I really learned about the properties of fusibles. Like home dec fabric is sprayed with a Scotch Guard so it repeals dirt.. it also repels fusibles and paint…. who knew!
I have become really good at fusing cotton to cotton and stitching it down for appliqué. Most fusible products work in a similar fashion:
- Trace your design onto the paper side (some have 2 papers)
- cut away some of the fusible.. or use if across the whole shape (see my tutorial HERE)
- iron the glue side onto the BACK of your appliqué shape
- cut ON the line to create your final appliqué shape
- peel off the paper
- place the glue side down onto your background fabric
- Iron again to adhere the shape
Today at the Learning Center I want to share a list of the different products available to you. You may want to explore several of them to see what works for you!
Therm O Web
I work with the Therm O Web company on their design team. I’ve used Heat n bond lite for over 15 years and love it… really love it! When they asked me to join their design team years ago I was thrilled as I truly believe in this product. I invited the Director of Marketing, Candace Kos, to do a little intro of their products. She is very talented right now as she is usually “one armed” since her other arm is always holding her brand new baby girl!
From Candace Kos…
“There are many ways to do appliqué and ways to speed up the quilting process. Our favorite way is to use adhesive to minimize the need for pinning or to finish a project all together.”
- HeatnBond® Iron-On Adhesive is frequently referred to as “Fusible Web” but it actually isn’t a web, it’s a solid sheet of adhesive. This means that you get edge to edge coverage on your appliqué shapes, no matter the size of appliqué. This eliminates puckering, bunching and also allows for Pat’s favorite technique of cutting away the inside of an appliqué leaving a soft interior and less adhesive used.
- HeatnBond® is available in three styles. HeatnBond® Ultrahold is a no-sew permanent adhesive! It’s great for adding embellishments, accents and details to quilts, wall hangings, home décor and costumes when you don’t want to sew or can’t sew. In addition to all kinds of fabric, it can also be used on wood and canvas for other creative home décor projects!
- HeatnBond Lite is a sewable permanent adhesive! Use this when you need to sew the project, but you don’t want to spend your time pinning! Iron your appliqués, edges and embellishments in place and then sew at your leisure! No more accidentally pinning yourself while handling the project! Iron your pieces into place and then sew as you normally would, the fabric remains flexible and the adhesive won’t gum up your needles. (Tip: if you are finding any resistance while sewing or are trying to sew through many layers, you can use a product called “Sewer’s Aid” to wet your thread and have an easier time stitching thru adhesive.) Use it to create costumes, table runners, placemats, quilts and tons of other projects! You can also seal the edges with fabric paint, so it can also be used on sweatshirts, canvases and wall hangings!
- HeatnBond® FeatherLite is a new sewable permanent adhesive that is even lighter than Lite. This adhesive is perfect for baby quilts, thin summer quilts, wearables and especially for multi-layered projects such as landscape quilts. It gets buttery soft after washing and doesn’t even feel as if adhesive is part of the project.
All of the HeatnBond® products can be washed and dried after properly adhered (for Ultrahold that’s just ironing for Lite and FeatherLite that’s sewing the edges after ironing pieces on.)
There are a few other great features of HeatnBond® products is due to the paper-backed nature of the product. First, HeatnBond® adhesive sheets can be run through your INKJET printer! Simply trim the sheet to an appropriate size to fit through your printer (typically 8.5 x 11). Place the sheet in so the ink will print on the paper side. Set your printer to draft, transparency or acetate settings (which puts out less ink) and print your design! (Just remember to print alphabet letters in reverse since the HeatnBond will be ironed to the back of your fabric. Do NOT use in a laser printer!! The heat from the laser printer will melt the adhesive inside your printer.)
Also, HeatnBond adhesive sheets can be run through your manual or computerized die-cut systems, such as AccuQuilt®, Cricut®, Silhouette®, Sizzix Eclipse® and more! Iron the adhesive onto the back of your fabric, trim the fabric to a size that will fit in your die-cut system and automatically cut out shapes, letters and other appliqué drawings! You may have to adjust the depth of your blade depending on the thickness of the fabric you are using. Be sure to test it on a scrap piece of fabric before running your real fabric thru. And be sure to change your blade often, a sharp blade will yield the best results. Then simply peel off the back liner and iron it to your project! How easy is that!
Therm O Web also makes a few other adhesive products that are great for quilting! The SuperStik Glue Stick is permanent on paper, but has a temporary bond on fabric! It allows you to place appliqués, sew them on your project and then the adhesive dissolves out of the fabric during laundering. This makes it a great option for baby quilts and outfits, summer quilts and all kinds of wearables. Simply apply glue to the back of your appliqué and stick onto your project. Allow the glue to dry and then sew as you normally would! It doesn’t gum up needles and stays flexible for easy stitching.
The last form of adhesive Therm O Web manufactures is SpraynBond®. These are spray adhesives that come in two forms. SpraynBond Fusible Adhesive acts like Ultrahold. Simply spray it on the back of your applique and iron it down. There is no need to sew after it has been ironed. This heat-activated spray is permanent, machine washable, dryable and dry cleanable.
The other form is SpraynBond Basting Adhesive. This is a spray with a temporary bond. This feature means it is perfect for placement, design consultations, wearables, pattern placement and keeping batting in its place while stitching. This adhesive must be sewn to make it permanent as it washes out while laundering.
Experiment with all these types of adhesives to make your project come together quickly! Therm O Web Adhesives & Interfacings are “Behind Every Great Project”!
Therm O Web Adhesives is a family-owned and operated business with over 35 years of experience in adhesive manufacturing. Therm O Web is proud to have a successful history manufacturing adhesives for multiple craft disciplines including: fabric crafts, quilting, tailoring, scrapbooking, paper crafts and art with the majority proudly made in the USA. Their family of adhesives holds such famed product lines as: HeatnBond® Iron-on Adhesive, StitchnSew®, Zots® Adhesive Dots, SuperTape™, PeelnStick™, PeelnStick™ Fabric Fuse and Iron-on Vinyl.
Visit them: Therm O Web | Blog | Join them on Facebook
Why I use Steam-A-Seam 2
I asked Sewing expert Lorine Mason to give her top reasons she loves to use the Steam-A-Seam line of fusing products.
I am a huge fan of Steam-A-Seam 2 by The Warm® Company and this is why.
The double sided paper liner:
- Prevents tacky fusible web from becoming attached to items not meant for the project at hand.
- Paper liner is perfect for tracing patterns whether using pen or pencil. I have even run it through my printer with success.
- Paper liner is a built in pressing sheet and is reusable if kept clean.
- Paper liner makes a great tear away stabilizer.
- Trace applique designs onto paper liner, remove opposite side of liner, press onto fabric. Perfect for storing for use in later design work. Note: one side of paper liner is designed to come away very easily. Trace on the liner paper that stays with the web.
Lorine Mason is a licensed product designer, an accomplished project designer and the author of ten ‘how to’ sewing books. An eye for detail, innovative project design, trend awareness and hard work are the corner stones of her business; Lorine Mason Designs. It’s Sew Lorine©, is a brand, a blog and a lifestyle. As an avid sewer herself, she loves to inspire others to create unique home sewn items with a twist. Lorine in the editor of the Sewing Savvy e-newsletter which can be accessed at
More Fusibles
Wonder-Under by Pellon has been on the market a long time. This is the first fusible product that I purchased and used when making sweatshirts. It is readily available and many people love it. See the Pellon web site for more information on how to use their product.
I found this ‘ask the crafter’ write up useful. And Robbie shares about “the wrap”.
The Misty fuse product has no paper on it. It is thinner and I’d love to know what you think about it. I have yet to try this one.
Stacy Michell markets a fusible she loves to use under the product name “Shades Soft Fuse”. Stacy started selling this fusible 5 years ago and she works with it as a full fusible product.
Vliesofix is mostly sold outside of North America. I had a chance to try it and it works very similar to Wonder Under. I found this blog write up on it.
We also found this write up about fusibles and interfacings.
Give-Aways
Our friends at Therm O Web have a HUGE box of goodies… no wait … TWO huge boxes of goodies to give-away. You have two opportunities to win. First, leave a comment below answering: Do you have a favorite fusible product? Which one?. If it isn’t included above, please provide a link too so others can give it a try.
Winners will be selected randomly next Wednesday, May 9th.
Second, head over to the Therm O Web blog and enter the give-away there too. P.S. they have tutorials or info posts every day of the week.. lots of good stuff!
Congratulations to #59 Karrie S. on winning this gift box of fusible goodies. Check your email for a message from me.
Pat Sloan is owner and founder of the quilting design and publishing company Pat Sloan & Co. She has published over 25 books, more than 100 patterns, nearly 10 fabric lines, and has had her work featured in all the major Quilt magazines. In January 2010, Pat started hosting her weekly Internet Radio show called Creative Talk Radio.
Find Pat here:
Web Site | Blog | Radio Show | Facebook | Twitter
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Wow, didnt realize there were so many different fusibles. I have only used 2; Heat and Bond and Steam A Seam. I do like using the Heat and Bond the best. Thanks for all the info.
I’ve only ever used Vliesofix so I guess it has to be my favourite. It’s the only type of fusible that my LQS supplies. Dying to try some new ones. I’m an applique-addict!
So informative! I love using Heat n Bond Lite and Steam a Seam 2 Lite. I didn’t know Heat n Bond had a spray adhesive. I’ll have to check that out. Thanks for the giveaway!
I have only used Steam A Seam. It was recommended by the quilt shop I go to for “Sewing Monsters” quilt class. It was great for tracing the pattern out. I have used it for several Applique quilt projects.
I use different fusibles for different things, it depends on what the end use of the product is. I love Wonder Under for wearable art projects because it leaves the garment soft and drapable. I like Steam A Seam for a lot of my quilt projects because I don’t have worry about over heating it with the iron. I get easily distracted and forget how long the iron has been down so Steam a Seam takes the focus away for me. I also like Heat and Bond light for projects too. I have some of each. Sometimes I’ll use the narrow fusible hem tape on the back of bias stems for quilts and not just for hemming my pants.
I used steam a seam a couple days ago and could sure use the tutorial help when i put tis on! It took me awhile to figure it out but i got it done.
I mainly use Heat N Bond Lite, though I have also used Wonder Under and Steam a Seam 2. I like S-A-S-2, but don’t like the sheets that are more readily available to me…I like to use yardage :)
Usually use heat and bond if I’m working with small quilting pieces, but use a regular iron on interfacing when I’m working with altering or making clothes, and stiffening is needed then.
I use the Steam a Seam 2 for all my machine applique projects and love it. The Hweat and Bond is great for those that don’t need sewing on them.
I cannot believe how many fusible interfacings there are. My favorites are Misty and Steam A Seam 2.
If you are in a bind (no pun intended) you can use Steam A Seam 2 to ‘hand turn’ your quit binding!
First I love using fusibles and love my machine’s buttonhole stitch!
I have used several of them, Heat n Bond, Pellon, Steam a Seam, and Misty Fuse. I love the temporary use of Steam a Seam and the ability to reposition pieces easily. Misty Fuse is tricky to handle however the resulting project is so nice and soft…it also is great for areas I have gone back and “repaired” loose fusibles. I have used Heat n Bond in different “wieghts” and have been using the Pellon most recently but can’t say I have a definite favorite, it all depends on the project.
I do have a question though, is there any product you could sew through to clean the needle while working on projects, rather than changing out needles? My needles tend to get “sticky” after a big project… B^(
I use Steam-Seam 2 and Misty Fuse. They both stay soft and pliable and don’t gum up my needle when I sew/quilt through them. However, it really depends upon the application. I try to use the proper product for the use I intend. : )
I have only used Steam a Seam. I didn’t realize there were so many options. Thanks for the information on the different types and uses.
i have used the misty fuse. it gives a wonderful light weight bond. the only problem i have is trying to trace a pattern on it because it is so light weight.
I use HeatNBond lite. if I can’t get that I use wonder under. I have never had any problems with either
I use steam and seam, but am really interested in the some of this products. Thanks for the wonderful review.
Thank you for your post. I have been experimenting with a plethora of fusibles. I’ve used Steam-A-Seam 2 for my portrait quilts, and have recently been experimenting with Shades Soft Fuse for other applique projects. I’ve found that when you are layering 4 and 5 fabrics deep, Steam-A-Seam stiffens the fabric too much. The Soft Fuse doesn’t add nearly as much bulk or stiffness (although I haven’t gone more than 3 layers with the Soft Fuse so far).
I’ll be sharing your post with my guild right away!
I usually default to using Wonder-Under because I was confused with the wide array of choices. Thanks for the information!
I use Pellon#805 and love it though I’m open to trying new products, I just haven’t gotten around to it yet. I do 95% applique work (designing my own applique patterns) and for the most part, while I miss having time to do piecing, applique is my thing…
I have used Steam-A-Seam 2 with great success with both cotton appliques on quilts and appliques on baby onesies. The paper is great for sketching designs before I actually cut them out & I have never had any problem with the adhesive gumming up the needle. I am very interested in trying some of the other products mentioned. Thanks so much!!
Love to applique and began using Wonder Under which I found in a fabric store in Texas 25 years ago while visiting my daughter. After returning home, I had to have her mail the product to me because I couldn’t find it locally. Since then, have used Wonder Under, Heat n Bond, Pellon, and Steam-a-Seam 2. My preference is Heat n Bond lite. I wasn’t aware o the featherweight but will definitely look for that to try.
Thanks for this posting….it has encouraged me to go beyond basic pinning and basting! I think life would be so much simpler if I embraced advancements in the sewing world. :) I’ve only used Wonder-Under by Pellon and that was many years ago….and okay, I admit reluctantly…sometimes Elmer’s White School Glue….just don’t tell anyone okay? That small detail can be our secret. :D
I use Heat & Bond lite for most of my fusibles, pelon under wonder for multi-layer as it has a better ‘hand’ although I would like to try the new super lite Heat & Bond now that I know about it! I have use Steam-a-seam and Steam-a-seam=2 and like it, but it’s more expensive. I also have a huge roll of fusiblw web with no paper–not as easy to use but keep it for those days I run out of the other 2!
I mostly use Wonder-Under and love it.
Have also used Steam-a-seam and Heat & bond.
Am interested in trying the Heat’nBond featherweight
I have found when using Heat & bond that the texture sometimes shows through on thinner fabrics and I don’t like that look.
I mostly use Heat & Bond as my primary fusible. I LOVE it in the little narrow strips on the rolls as those in the give away box! THAT is genius! I use it a lot in my mixed media fabric collage work. I’d be thrilled to win!
I use Heat N Bond- get it at Joann’s, with a coupon! (Husband is currently unemployed so the coupons help out). Buy it by the yard. Do a lot of applique and my husband, who does the actual applique making and pressing, loves this product line.
I don’t have a favorite. Thanks for the info on all the different types.
Need to add in something to my comment though after reading the comment before mine… to avoid the texture show through of the fusible on thin fabrics, Misty Fuse is the way to go. It’s a dream that resolves that issue. But it’s so fine to work with not having a peel back release paper. I find that it can be difficult to see when working with smaller pieces. I get a dark piece of card stock to “house” my small bits and pieces while I’m working so I can actually see them!
I recently used the heatnbond tape to repair a hem in a tshirt and was pleased with how it worked. I use all kinds of fusibles for different projects.
I have tried several fusibles and still haven’t found a “favorite”. I’m getting ready to try Shades Softfuse on my next project.
My favorites are Steam a Seam 2 Lite and MistyFuse. I’ve also used Heat N Bond, ThermoWeb, and Pellon and they work just fine, too. I’ve not tried some of the Heat N Bomd products and would love to give them a try.
I use many fusibles. When I am working on the Bigfork Bay patterns I use Print and Fuse to run through the printer so I dont have to trace all the pattern pieces. I use Wonder Under and I use Misty Fuse. These are my favorites.
I have used the heat n bond before and really liked it!
I’ve never used any of these types of products, would love to try!
I’m a big fan of Heat N Bond Lite, but I would love to try their other products. Very informative.
I have used several of the fusibles listed. But my favorite is still Steam a Seam 2. I like the weight, and the fact that I can embellish on the fused area without having to use a jackhammer. :)
I have never tried Heat n Bond but would love the chance to try it! Thank you for the give away.
I have tried several different types of fusibles, but I do like heat-n-bond lite the best.
I use Heat N Bond to back fabrics that are going to be Die Cut with my Go. I do a ton of embroidered applique projects and this product holds my fabric fast without fusing first. I like Steam A Seam 2 Lite, but when I don’t tend to use it when I have fabric marker on the background. Both products are a great way to fuse.
I have always used the HeatnBond Lite and love it. Would like to try the HeatnBond FeatherLite and SprayNBond Adhesives.
I’ve been using heat and bond lite for years but recently started using Pelion wonder under 805, it seems lighter,
Less glue residue. I never heard of the heat and bond ultra lite. – will look for it.
I did not know there were so many options available. I have only been able to find Heat n Bond in my fabric shopping. Though Pelon is mentioned all over the web.
Thanks for the chance to try some on these different products.
I’ve always used WonderUnder and really haven’t tried anything else. After reading this though, I’m interested in some of these especially the SpraynBond Basting Adhesive. Thanks for all of the info.
Wow, I had no idea there were so many choices out there! It’s been a while, but my main experience has been with Wonder Under. No complaints, but I look forward to experimenting with these lighter weights and sprays. Thanks for the info, and the giveaway.
I am a Heat n Bond girl. Glad they make the lighter versions now. I had a couple of doozy projects with it eons ago.
I love Heat~n~Bond lite (better than Wonder Under). And, have tried Steam a Seam in some small test samplers I was given. Kind of like that one too. I always have a can of spray adhesive & a glue stick on hand too. Out of everything I probably use the Heat~N~Bond the most. This is a very interesting article. Thanks for the info.
I usually use pellon products as they are available in yardage at my closest fabric store. I wish they had more choices. I also wish there were more fabric or quilts stores close to me.
Great post and info here. Thank you. I use and love the heat and bond light, but can not wait to try the featherweight for my landscape projects and water color appliques.
I keep a big roll of Heat ‘n Bond Lite right next to my ironing board. It’s my product of “choice”. I have never tried Steam-a-seam or Misty-Fuse but have friends who’ve tried the product and liked it. I used to use Wonder Under but had some difficulty with it fusing properly so I only use Heat ‘n Bond now. I would love a box full of Therm oWeb products. Keeping my fingers crossed…….
I like to use hat and bond lite but would like to try the feather lite now that I know about it.
I really like steam a seam lite. Haven’t used a lot in quilting buy hope to in near future.