Fusible battings -?

[Jules M.]

Has anybody tried the fusible battings? I haven't tried them myself and am wondering if they save all the crawling around on the floor! - thanks -

[Sharon E.]

Hi -- I have used it but only on purses. I really liked it, but for a large quilt you would really have to iron it a lot. But it was easy to quilt through and wasn't sticky with the fusible. The kind I got wasn't very wide so it would have to be pieced.

Sharon

[Sharon E.]

I've used it. Great stuff, but even a baby sized quilt took FOREVER to fuse. I use it for home decor type projects, too much work for quilts. 505 adhesive spray works great.

Have you "Tinkled" today?

[Teri L.]

I'm with CJ - go with the 505 spray. If you have a table that is big enough for your quilt to sit on its a good way to work at a higher surface and not crawl around on the floor.
A friend lets me use her ping pong table for bigger quilts.

Teri

[Teri L.]

I use 505 on all my quilts--love the way it works and no worry of getting it wrong and not being able to fix it.

[Anne B.]

I use 505, too. It's great stuff.

I did use a fusible batt for a baby quilt once. I didn't like it much, because I couldn't fuse it on my table, where I'd laid it out. I didn't like the fact that part of it hung over the edge of the ironing board while I was working. I like my quilt sandwiches to be perfectly flat when I baste them.

I did pull the ironing board up to a table, to help support the quilt at the back, but really felt uncomfortable with the process. I also didn't like the fact that I couldn't pull the quilt top up and reposition it, the way you can with basting spray.

That said, I have friends who love fusible batting. I guess it's a matter of taste.

Anne in Vancouver, Canada.

[Anne B.]

I'm a complete 505 fan, but the fusible batting is good for smaller projects where you would get a lot of overspray from 505. Fusible is particularly good for quilt as you go projects because you're usually working with 9"-12" blocks and you can get these flat on the ironing board. Also good for bags.

[Anne B.]

Hi Ali - and everyone! I think I'll give the 505 spray a go - it sounds very good. I can imagine a large quilt being totally unmanageable over an ironing board! xx

[Anne B.]

Just a quick addition, I have used 2 other brands of basting spray and found them equally as good as the 505. Wasn't that thrilled with the fusible batting except on a small project.

[Beth A.]

I am also on the eQuilter.com forum, and the expert quilter who runs that one says she uses fusible batting for all of her quilts - many of which have won awards. So it must work well once you get the technique down.

BethMI

[Diana L.]

I machine-quilt all of my projects that are lap size and smaller. I use Hobbs 80/20 Fusible batting and have for years. I always had puckers in my backings no matter how hard I tried get them smooth until I discovered fusible batting. I have a large table that I can iron on but I still have to do lap size quilts in sections. If I make a mistake, I can just pull the fabric off the batting and start over. I love it! I used to buy the queen size packages by the case. Two packages usually gave my enough for three quilts with one pieced batting. I finally decided to splurge and I bought a roll of it. Now I can just cut off exactly what I need so there's not as much waste. The batting is also flat on the roll whereas the packaged battings are rolled tightly and wrinkled. I've never had any problem with residue on the needle. The quilts soften up after washing. My quilting has improved since I don"t have to worry about the layers shifting. I can't live without it. I have no experience with the sprays so I can't compare but this is JMHO on what works for me.

Diana in Hornell, NY

[Lynn K.]

I've used the 505 twice for regular and queen size quilts and found management of the spray (sticky all over and in the air???) difficult. I had taped down my back but had a hard time laying it all out and getting smooth was tough.

ANy secrets beside having an accomplice?

Lynn

[Lynn K.]

I've used the 505 twice for regular and queen size quilts and found management of the spray (sticky all over and in the air???) difficult. I had taped down my back but had a hard time laying it all out and getting smooth was tough.

ANy secrets beside having an accomplice?

Lynn

I spread out the batting on the living room floor (over an old flat sheet so the spray doesn't get all over the carpet), then put the batting on top. Then I spray one half at a time and put the top on, starting in the middle. I lay it out the best I can, then use my long rotary cutting ruler to smooth it, holding it perpendicular to the quilt (using the thin edge). It's easier than using only hands. After I get the top the way I want it, I turn the whole thing over and do the same with the back. And yes, with large quilts, an accomplice (usually my daughter) is a big help as my back doesn't like all that bending for long periods of time. One other hint: the spray will get all over your shoes too, so wear old ones and not sandals unless you like sticky toes. Don't ask how I know this.

[Lynn K.]

I think you are possibly spraying too much, it only needs a light misting to stick the layers together. If you're working on the floor or table you should lay some plastic or newspaper alongside the area you're spraying, just move it around as you go, so you catch any overspray. Also, you should spray the batting, not the fabric.

Lay your backing fabric down and tape/pin it to the surface you're working on. Make sure it's smooth and well anchored, but not stretched. Next lay the batting on top and get it smoothed out. Then fold half of it back on itself and spray lightly with 505 (remember to move your plastic bag / newspaper around next to where you're spraying to avoid overspray). Fold the batting back down and smooth/pat it down without stretching - this only needs a light touch. Repeat with the other half. Lay the quilt top down and get it smoothed out so you can check it's in the right position and doesn't have any glaring lumps & bumps. Again, fold back half, lightly spray the batting and fold the top back down. Smooth lightly to stick, make any adjustments needed to get the top flat and square, the glue is only tacky and you can lift and reposition the fabric. Repeat for the other half and hey presto, one sandwiched quilt! Magic stuff

[Anne B.]

I think you are possibly spraying too much, it only needs a light misting to stick the layers together. If you're working on the floor or table you should lay some plastic or newspaper alongside the area you're spraying, just move it around as you go, so you catch any overspray. Also, you should spray the batting, not the fabric.

Lay your backing fabric down and tape/pin it to the surface you're working on. Make sure it's smooth and well anchored, but not stretched. Next lay the batting on top and get it smoothed out. Then fold half of it back on itself and spray lightly with 505 (remember to move your plastic bag / newspaper around next to where you're spraying to avoid overspray). Fold the batting back down and smooth/pat it down without stretching - this only needs a light touch. Repeat with the other half. Lay the quilt top down and get it smoothed out so you can check it's in the right position and doesn't have any glaring lumps & bumps. Again, fold back half, lightly spray the batting and fold the top back down. Smooth lightly to stick, make any adjustments needed to get the top flat and square, the glue is only tacky and you can lift and reposition the fabric. Repeat for the other half and hey presto, one sandwiched quilt! Magic stuff

This is how I do it, too, except that I only spray about eight to ten inches at a time, from one side to the other. Then I gently lower the top (or the batting, depending on which layer I'm doing) just that far, smooth it out, and spray another eight to ten inches.

The secret is to have everything flat and smoothed out before you start, though, and to start spraying across the centre of the quilt.

Anne in Vancouver, Canada