Ahhhh. Fusible Webbing. If you applique it is definitely your friend. It’s certainly mine. One question I receive often is, “what fusible webb do you prefer”.
Up to 4 weeks ago, I would tell you that I personally did not have a preference. That’s because I’d never tried anything other than Heat n Bond. Yep, never. Anything else. Ghee, maybe the company that makes that should read this post – ha ha.
Well, I did say up until 4 weeks ago didn’t I. So what happened? I ran my bolt clean out. Empty. Nada, nil, zilch. Crap. (my actual word)
I needed to finish a couple new towel samples for this new pattern, but didn’t have the time to wait for a new bolt to be shipped in. We quilters are antsy ya know. No patience when we’re in the heat of a project.
So, I asked my Mom, (aka Merry of Merry’s Stitchins) if she had a little to spare. She too had just had a hot run on the stuff and was nearly out. Well, I couldn’t wipe her out, being she’s a retail quilt shop and all. But she did offer me some “Steam a Seam”. Hmm. So I gave it a try.
It has what I think are pros:
- it’s lighter than Heat n Bond, so my fabric isn’t as stiff
- when you peel off the backing paper, it’s a bit sticky so it stays in place quite easily before you fuse it with an iron
But it had one pro that will probably keep me with my ‘ole reliable
- it gummed up the needle on my machine – I had a little puff ball of lint that would build up quickly about half way up my needle and when I rubbed the needle to remove the puff, I could feel the needle was sticky
So, I now have a new answer to the question “what fusible webb do you prefer”.
My answer is Heat n Bond Lite. It has all pros for me:
- it does not leave a sticky film on your needle
- it comes in Lite and Heavy – use the heavy if you don’t want to stitch around something as it fuses strong enough not to need it.
Yep. That’s my answer and I’m stickin’ to it.
~Julie
p.s. oh, did you like that towel pattern? There’s one for every season. Check them out here on our website