Chicago School of Fusing Etiquette 101

•  Some brands of fusible are difficult to stitch through or change the surface of your fabric. Recommended are Wonder Under or Trans Web. For light weight silks use Misty Fuse.

•  Transfer the glue with a hot (cotton setting), dry iron for 7 seconds. Place the fabric down with rough side or glue side of the paper on top. Follow instructions that come with the web.

•  Some fabrics with a permanent press or other finishes will not adhere to fusible web. Choose 100% cotton fabrics with no finish; hand-dyed and batik fabrics work best because the color penetrates through the fabric. Fuse elements from printed fabrics with a white back will show a white edge. Fabrics with higher thread count fuse better and fray less when cut.

•  Wash and iron your fabric to remove any starch before fusing. Do not use fabric softener. (Note: A permanent press fabric does not fuse well. Permanent press does NOT wash out.)

•  Fabric that bubbles or ripples when fused will flatten out when the paper is peeled off.

•  If the web separates from the release paper it is still usable. Just place the web on the fabric, put the release paper on top and fuse into place.

•  Always let the fabric and web cool before removing the paper. Paper without glue is called release paper . Save the release paper. This paper can be fused to over and over again. Use it for assembling fused collages, storing fused scraps, protecting the ironing board, and pattern making. Either side of Wonder Under release paper can be fused to.

•  Remove the release paper in one piece by first fanning with a finger then swiping your hand between the fabric and paper. Feel for gummy areas where the iron didn't cover and re-fuse.

•  Peel the paper off the fused fabric before cutting. Paper dulls scissors and cutting blades. Also fabric edges may fray if paper is peeled off a cut shape.

•  Always use sharp scissors and rotary cutter blades. Dull tools fray the fabric.

•  If you leave the paper on when cutting out a pattern piece, easily remove it by gently slicing the paper in the center of the fabric with the tip of your scissors and peeling from the center.

•  When cutting a stack of fused fabric, do not place fused sides together or they may be difficult to separate. Up to 3 layers of fused fabric shapes can be cut out at one time.

•  Cut fused fabrics web-side up when using a rotary cutter so the glue side does not stick to the mat and fray fabric upon removal. Also, it is easier to see areas where there is no glue.

•  Whenever possible, overlap dark colored fabrics on top of light value fabrics. Dark fabrics may cast a shadow if placed under light value fabrics.

•  Fuse-tack elements for only 5 seconds and with little pressure. Too much heat applied repeatedly will weaken the glue, burn it into the fabric, change the fabric color, make the fabric stiff, and over-fused fabric will no long adhere to other fabrics. Elements that are fuse-tacked can be easily removed although some fibers and glue may remain on the base fabric.

•  Test your batting before fusing your quilt on top. Some battings have a scrim side that may cause the quilt to ripple. Hobb's Cotton Heirloom batting works best.

•  Once complete, steam set the quilt top to the batt for 10 seconds using a dry press cloth.

•  Save all your fused scraps. They are great for tiny elements and collage work.

•  And most importantly, keep the iron and ironing surface free of fusible web. If the web touches a hot iron, the glue may transfer to the surface of your quilt. Keep irons clean.

Copyright 2007 Laura Wasilowski

324 Vincent Place , Elgin , IL 60123 laura@artfabrik.com www.artfabrik.com