New here and already a question.

trenneus wrote

on 8 Jul 2010 4:13 PM

Hi,

My name is Brenda and I really just started quilting. Finished one, Wallpaper Strips by Kaffe Fassett (well without the borders). So, looking for my next project and I bought a book called Simply Stunning Woven Quilts by Anna Faustino. I like the look of the quilts. After reading it a bit I now wonder if anyone knows if all that fusible adhesive used to hold the pieces in place would make for a very stiff, incredibly not cozy quilt? Most of the featured quilts are small, wallhanging type quilts. Did I make a mistake thinking this would be a good idea for a snuggle on the soffa quilt? Really thinking I should have went with the Jelly Roll quilt book now. Any opinions would be truly appreciated.

Thank you,

B.

Approachable Art wrote

on 8 Jul 2010 6:04 PM

I guess it would depend on what kind of fusable you're planning to use. With something like Mistyfuse, I would guess it would retain a good deal of soft hand. With WonderUnder, you're going to have what you're talking about- a stiffer hand that's more appropriate for hanging art than snuggling into. :D

okieLinda wrote

on 8 Jul 2010 6:43 PM

My best advice is to make the kind of quilt that will make you happy, with or without a book to do it by,

trenneus wrote

on 8 Jul 2010 7:12 PM

Thank you Judi, will be looking  into Mistyfuse.

OkieLinda, great advice. The book is partly for inspiration and partly for directions, for me, both parts are necessary. I am just not that good.

I appreciate the responses. Thank you.

Dale Kathryn wrote

on 8 Jul 2010 11:07 PM

Try several fusibles and use whichever one gives the "hand" you prefer. Whichever one you use, have fun and enjoy!

Muppin wrote

on 9 Jul 2010 7:26 AM

Welcome Brenda!  Thanks for posting your question.

There are softer "lite" fusibles out there.  WonderUnder and MistyFuse can both have a soft hand.  However, in a sofa quilt that could be washed often, I suggest sewing around or quilting the fused pieces well so they are less likely to pull away. 

You could ask any local quilt friends if they have any and make a small block as a sample to test how you like it before making an investment in the package of fusible.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Cheryl / Muppin

trenneus wrote

on 10 Jul 2010 5:00 AM

Thank you all for posting replies. Sadly Cheryl, I have no 'quilting' friends, just friends that make fun of me quilting. In the fall I am planning on joining the local guild though. The other problem is that I live in Sweden and alot of stuff is just not readily available here. I order from the states, but don't have much of a budget for experimentation... The logistics of turning a woven wallquilt into a woven full size quilt is keeping me up at night. Might have to put the idea in the closet for a while. But y'all were wonderful and I thank you again for the replies.

Brenda

ckquilter wrote

on 14 Jul 2010 9:53 PM

hi brenda

any of the fusibles will make the quilt stiffer and less comfortable as a bed quilt. and regardless of their directions - if you want the edges to stay flat and be washable, they MUST be stitched down.

you can make the quilt a bit less stiff - by not using fusible under the whole piece. the only reason you are using fusible, is to hold thedge in place while you sew it down. so, the fusible needs to be along the edges, but no farther. you can get steam a seam on a roll - only 1/4 inch wide. and it could be fused to just the edge. it can be made to curve and follow any shape, by removing the paper backing.

you could also cut your own thin strips of wonder under (use the lightweight) or misty fuse - it is just a bit more work. but is also a good way of using up fusible scraps.             think of the fusible as a piece of solid glue, and just use the least amount needed.

another alternative would be to skip the fusible web, and use a very lightweight fusible interfacing (used for clothing). and then just adhere your strips to the interfacing, before sewing.                                            ckquilter

Dale Kathryn wrote

on 14 Jul 2010 10:59 PM

Another possibility would be to use a very small dab or two of a temporary fabric glue (such as Glue-Baste-It) or a spray adhesive (such as 505) to tack the quilt piece down until you can sew all around the outside edge. Overlap adjacent pieces and stitch them down after the underlying pieces have been stitched. This method creates very little change in the 'hand' of the fabric.

I agree with CKQUILTER that the pieces do need to be stitched down, even if a fusible web is used. 

Whatever method you use, have fun!

trenneus wrote

on 15 Jul 2010 6:39 AM

You guys are AMAZING! Armed with all your suggestions and ideas, the full-size woven quilt just might come to be. I am going to make a 12x12 block to get the feel of the construction and then put your wonderful ideas to use. I really like the temporary fabric glue suggestion, if it works.  thanks a ton, again...amazing people here.

B.