How the blazes did it get to Tuesday again?
No matter. That just means it’s time to party again! Woo hoo, I love this time I set aside each week to really delve into what others have been up to.
On my side of the fence…… there has been much quilty activity in my sewing room. Sadly, most of it can’t be revealed to you just yet. But I did make a bookmark we can talk about. 🙂 It’s a nice little bookmark, made from scraps of my Aurora Star table runner. I’ve added a little wishing star at the top for luck. I thought it was a nice little nod to the parent project the scraps came from.
Actually, I want to give my little aurora wishing star bookmark away to someone who would like it …. So, let’s have a little game at the Chameleon’s party this week – with my new bookmark as the highly sought after and contested prize!. lol 🙂
All you need to do to win is make my heart glow like the Northern Lights with your answer to a burning question I have….. So, come on over – let’s party like a quilted Chameleon!
My Wishing Star Bookmark
….. is made from a scrap piece of patchwork left over from my Aurora Star table runner.
When I set all my star blocks into the Aurora Star quilt top above I was left with this substantial but very lonely trimming…..
It’s been floating around my workspace ever since… too pretty to chuck away, too small and orphaned to save….. You know the problem!
Anyway, in the end, I ended up sewing it right sides together with a scrap of the Island Batik mardigras batik that triggered the Aurora Star table runner construction last week, and a scrap of Thermore batting from HOBBS.
I left an opening for turning, clipped the corners and then turned it all right sides out. To close the opening, I topstitched all around the edge and added a little bit of straight quilting on the diagonals with Aurifil 40wt cotton thread (colour 2610). I then added a little wishing star fused appliqué near the top in the same way.
I finished the bookmark by adding a green tassel made from the sample of cotton floss that Aurifil sent me in my last Island Batik Ambassador box. It worked a treat!
And now my bookmark needs a loving home. It is a fairly large bookmark, ideal for marking the page of that next quilt you want to make in your latest quilting book. 🙂 So, let me tell you how to win it.
Ready to Join in the Party Game?
I have a spinning arrow pointer thingy. And I’m gonna spin it now.
It’s spinning, spinning, slowing….. slowing, sloooooowing….. it’s stopped!
And it’s pointing at you. See?!
That means I get to ask you a question! And you get to answer it for a chance to win.
And my burning question is….
Which fusible adhesive(s) brands/products do you best like to use? Also, specifically, do you use Steam a Seam lite? Have you encountered gumming up of your scissors and/or needle with Steam a Seam lite? Is there a way to prevent gumming with this product?
Ok, so I know that is actually four questions but they all stem from the same root problem. And I’d like answers to the whole thing.
One of my fabulous pattern testers has just finished making a machine appliquéd quilt top using Steam a Seam lite as her fusible adhesive. She used a small blanket stitch to secure the appliqués. Her finished work is really lovely, but she mentioned that the adhesive gummed up her both her scissors and her needle and she hated it. She hasn’t had a lot of experience with fusible appliqué, so wanted to know if this was normal.
It sounds really nasty to me, and a completely unnecessary turn-off for a new-comer to machine appliqué. I have never encountered gumming with the fusibles I use, and I do a lot of fusible appliqué. But I generally use Vleisofix Thermofix or Legacy Fuse-Under. I have never used Steam a Seam so I don’t know what it is like to work with. Can my tester alter her technique and expect a better outcome, or should she just switch fusible brands? Do you have any insights you can share with us?
Leave me a stellar comment telling me about your experience with fusible adhesives for appliqué. Anything you think would be useful for a beginner in this technique to know. And specifically your experiences with using Steam a Seam lite if you have any please.
I will choose my favourite answer after the competition ends. This little competition is open worldwide, my bookmark is ready for an adventure anywhere. Entires close 23:59 pm Sunday 30th September 2018 Australian Central Standard Time and the winner will be announced at next week’s Colour Inspiration Tuesday.
Thanks in advance for your assistance. Janice and I will be very grateful.
Now, let’s see how the Chameleon partied this week!
Well, firstly, the Chameleon got dressed up to go out…… He found his inspiration thanks to Marie at Octopus Patchwork. Not only does he love the happiness of this quilt top named “Kites of Maastricht”, he loves the random missing sock… hahahahaha.
Once he had on his glad rags, the Chameleon went and invited himself to a few parties……..
Here’s his selfie at Susan’s upmarket birdhouse venue as seen on Quilt Fabrication. I am a big fan of Susan’s designs….. and I have just found myself adding another really-wanna-make-it to my list. No surprise, but oh, that I had more time!!
And another selfie from the Chameleon’s big night out…..
Here he is partying hard with his new friends, the Llamas. The Chameleon and I loved everything about Libby’s post at Libby’s Lifestyle. A tutorial on how to make these fabric covered baskets, and a matching baby quilt that uses up the offcuts. And of course, the llamas! Too cute!
Go and follow in the Chameleon’s festive footsteps…. there is lots of fun to be found in these features this week! 🙂
I hope you have enjoyed today’s party. My sincerest thanks to everyone who linked up last week. If you were featured you can find a badge of honour here.
Now, it’s your turn! Link up to the Chameleon’s Linky Party and show us your projects.
What are you working on, or have recently finished in your sewing room? Link up a blog post, a Flicker pic, an IG post or simply a photo from your computer. See if you can hit the bullseye and get the Chameleon to turn quilted with happiness. We’d love to see your quilting colours.
Guidelines (more detail here):
- Link up your latest or recent quilt excitement. All construction stages welcome – even fabric pulls!
- You have 100 characters in the link description…. tell us who you are and what your fantastic project is.
- URLs are not necessary to link up…. non-bloggers 100% welcome! If you don’t have a URL, simply link up with just a photo.
- Do it now……. before you forget! And then leave me that comment about fusible appliqué!!
[inlinkz_linkup id=799356 mode=1]
I like Appli-Kay Wonder because the paper side is sticky when the paper is removed and can be adhered multiple times. This allows you to place the pieces without fear of them moving and allowing you to reposition them if necessary. Once you are happy with the placement, you iron it as usual to make the adhesion permanent. Also, you can store it for ages and the paper side does not separate like it does with some other products.
Dione, I use Steam-a-Seam 2 Lite because I love that you can reposition it prior to fusing. Unfortunately, it does gum up my needle when stitching and I keep having to clean the needle. Alcohol wipes are great for this or just rubbing the shank of the needle with your fingers! But Heat-n-Bond also is gummy, and it’s not repositionable. I did read once that if you warm the area you are working on by holding an iron just above the surface that it doesn’t get gummy. I’ve not found a fusible that’s not stiff or gums my needle. I am not familiar with the two products you mentioned. Maybe they are not in the US? Do they not gum up your needle? I’m sorry that I can’t help your friend more. I did just purchase a new book with a very different applique technique in it that I intend to try. I’ll let you know how that turns out as far as being gummy when stitching in place!
I prefer the Wonder Under by Pellon . I was a fan of Steam a seam until I started having the problems you mentioned.
My source is Jo Ann’s Fabrics. Several years ago there was a problem getting any fusible and so I tried all sorts with some rather nasty results, I was really happy when I found the Pellon product . Love their batting also for a lighter softer quilt.
I use Pellon fusible fleece and love it, especially for making pouches. I do use Steam-a-Seam 2 Lite and yes, it can gum up my needle, and I also use the alcohol wipes, which seem to help. I have also used SoftFuse, and that seems to work well and doesn’t gum up the needle. Another little tip – Steam a Seam has a shelf life, apparently. I just used some last week from a stash I’ve found that even though it still irons on well, the paper separates from the fabric before I’m ready to do the next step of fusing. I’ve had mine for about a year (maybe) – I wasn’t keeping track, but will now.
As a general rule, I always used Heat ‘n Bond. I always bought it at JoAnn Fabrics, but I have a Pat Catan’s that’s much closer and they only carry the small packages of it. I haven’t had any issues with it gumming up my needles, but I usually only do a blanket stitch around the outside of the applique.
Your bookmark is adorable, and I’d love to win it! I have a Kindle, but I still read good old honest-to-goodness books!! 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win it!!
I usually use wonder under. In a class I took, it was suggested Steam a seam lite does not need to be edge finished. If it is steam pressed on according to directions, it will endure many trips through the laundry. If it starts to come lose, just steam press it again.
I am all stars for Heat n Bond Lite
Or even Pellon Wonder Under is alright.
I know Steam a Seam is all the rage.
I can’t get it by the yard-I must live in a cage!
The products I use don’t give me a fit
All I have to do is cut, iron, sew and enjoy the trip!
Start with a new needle and if it is contrite,
Use alcohol and give it a swipe.
I would give all the fusibles a try
And see which one suite you just fine.
I know I have gone a country mile,
But if nothing else I hope this gives you a smile!
Ok. On a more serious note. I haven’t tried Steam a Seam. I started my quilting life using Wonder Under and jumped to Heat n Bond Lite. I like that it stays better on the fabric without lifting, but it can get heavy if you layer and don’t cut chunks of the fusible out before fusing. Wonder Under does separate from its paper now and again. Other than that I they don’t gum up my scissors or my needles. Heat n Bond makes a Feather Lite that I would like to try. I have also used Appl- Kay as well and do like the positional ability it gives, but I can’t get it around my neck of the woods either. My suggestion would be to purchase a small amount of each product that you can either get locally or want to try-even if it means ordering on line and do a personal review. Much of the time what works for one doesn’t work for another. And then there is personal preference.
Hi Dione! I don’t enjoy using fusible interfacing because I hate how stiff the piece gets. When I do HAVE to use it, I get the Heat ‘n Bond on sale at Joann’s Fabrics. I also have used a non-fusible for the larger pieces I have appliquéd like Dominic’s baby quilt, or the Cub’s quilt center of Clark. I use that to finish off the edges and then blanket stitch it down because they get a lot of washings and I don’t want the pieces to fray. Most the time I just pin the pieces in place and remove as I blanket stitch. TMI! Happy Tuesday! ~smile~ Roseanne
I’ve used Steam-a-Seam 2 Lite for the appliqued quilts I made. I love that I don’t have to iron it on right away and it can stay in place. Using a Teflon coated needle may help. I haven’t had trouble with gumming up but it’s been awhile since I used it. I’m not familiar with some of the brands of fusible now available but would definitely like to try experimenting. That would be my suggestion.
I use Misty fuse. I like it because it seems to be lighter then Steam-a-Seam. It doesn’t leave any residue or gummy mess. Also, whenever I used Steam-a-Seam it seems to make the fabric stiffer, whereas Misty fuse, there is no change in the softness of the fabric. I’m very happy with Misty fuss.
Sorry .. have never used Steam-a-Seam before. But I have started using Heat n Bond Lite, and it seems to do well. Always used Pellon’s Wonder Under & didn’t have problems either. From what the comments are here..think I will stay with my regular Go To products :/ Thank you for chance to win your Bookmark!! Love the Wishing Star!! 😀
Damn! He’s just too cute popping out of the hole in the birdhouse door! If I had had some fore-thought, I would have found a fun critter to fussy cut into those doors. Maybe next time, as I’ve also thought to remake this in prints.
Thanks so much for the fun feature! You made me laugh!
I think that picture deserves a repost on Midweek Makers tomorrow!
My apologies for being late to the table, but my awake hours don’t match the lists I set for myself. Last evening I fell asleep, making today’s list.
My first experience with fusibles was Heat and Bond. It did result in problems for me with my needles. Then Steam a Seam 2 was in my area, so I used it for a bit. It was pricier, and there was less residue on the needle. In fits and starts I used wonder Under. No gumming of the needle noticed, but wasn’t as convenient as Steam a Seam. Then I discovered Jenny Haskins Web Magic. It was fabulous. It left my piece soft and flexible, did not affect the needle, and was easy to reposition. I bought a roll when I was in the Us, but sadly it is used up, and now I’m using Wonder Under again. If Web Magic was available here, that would be my number 1 choice.
That chameleon is just a social butterfly! As for fusible, I don’t use Steam a Seam, light or otherwise. I’ve tried all the ones there are, I think. Aleene’s made a fabulous one, but quit making it years ago. I bought an entire bolt and am still using it because it’s the best ever. However, not being available is a real stopper there. =) My next favorite might be Misty-Fuse. It’s soft and also not sticky. There are some brands which I think ARE sticky, so it isn’t just that your friend is new to this fusing stuff.
I use steam-a-seam lite all the time. It is the only fusible I will use… and the only one I recommend in the classes I teach. I like it because it has paper on both sides, so gives it more stability when tracing and cutting out. I rarely have trouble with the needle gumming up, and never with the scissors… so might have been a defect in the steam-a-seam she bought? Anyway, with the needle gumming, just clean it regularly. I generally do raw edge applique, and steam a seam lite is very good for that, because it holds everything together nicely. A tip for using any type of applique fusible is to score the middle of the applique and peel the paper off from the middle if that makes sense. It is best not avoid touching the sides of the applique piece so that it doesn’t ravel… Oh, and the weather can also affect your fusibles…. in the dry heat of Saudi we had trouble with losing stickiness – and the paper on one of the sides would separate. Just wondering in a humid climate the sticky might become stickier????? Just some thoughts 🙂 xx