While quitting can be interesting and enjoyable, it can also be complicated as well. It is a sewing process that requires some mathematics to calculate the number of squares that are needed to complete a quilt. You also have to go through the cutting of square fabric before sewing them together and creating bindings for them.
To make this long process short, quilters make use of fusible interfacing, a process that can help save a lot of time when properly used. Depending on the size of the quilting project you are working on, some fusible interfacing for quilting is equipped with already drawn boxes to make your squares.
If you are a hobbyist or a beginner who doesn’t know how fusible interfacing works in quilting, follow this article as we provide in-depth information about the fusible interface and how it functions.
What is Fusible Interfacing?
Fusible interfacing is a time-saving material that can be used for sewing, quilting, and crafts projects. Fusible interfacings make use of glue and have to be fused and applied to the wrong side of your fabric using an iron to provide extra strength to your material or to maintain a certain shape.
Sewists make use of fusible interfacing to strengthen collars, stabilize facings and buttonholes, bolster waistbands in garment construction, prevent fabrics from fraying, support sewing bags and purses, and for other numerous functions.
What Are The Types Of Fusible Interfacing?
Before applying fusible interfacing to your project, it is important to know the types of fusible interfacing and select the perfect one for your fabric and project. Although all types of fusible interfacing come with a heat-activated adhesive material on both or either side, fusible interfacing varies and functions differently.
They are designed in different structures and thicknesses to complement different fabrics. Some of the common types of fusible interfacing include.
– Non-Woven Fusible Interfacing
The non-woven fusible interfacing is the most commonly used by sewists. This type of fusible interfacing is made with chemicals and cannot be called a fabric. Non-woven fusible interfacing usually doesn’t have grain and doesn’t unravel, the fusible interfacing can be easily cut in your preferred direction.
– Woven Fusible Interfacing
The woven fusible interfacing is made through the interwoven process of warp and weft fibres and has both lengthwise and crosswise grain. This type of fusible interfacing is not commonly used for home sewing and is usually a non-stretchy material and is perfect for woven fabric.
– Knit Fusible Interfacing
This fusible interfacing stretch in a similar pattern to the knit fabric and is made from knitting fibres. Knit fusible interfacing is the best type of fusible interfacing that can be used when working with stretch knit fabric.
How Do You Use Fusible Interfacing For Quilting?
When using fusible interfacing for your quilting project, the first step is to know the size of the quilting project, knowing how big or small the project will be will help you in determining the number of squares that will be needed for the quilting project.
- When the number of squares has been calculated, that is when you can proceed by determining the interfacing size needed for the project. Knowing the exact size of needed interfacing ensures you get a perfect size and prevent you from getting excess.
- After deciding the needed interfacing size, you have to ensure you purchase interfacing that is suitable for quilting. You can get interfacing that has been grided to save time or purchase a plain one that can be grided yourself before starting your quilting project.
- Proceed with your project by cutting your fabric square into the earlier chosen size. There are different grid sizes on fusible interfacing, you have to purchase interfacing with the same size as your fabric square. When this has been sorted, you can then set your fabric squares to have them fixed on the interfacing.
- Cautiously place the squares you cut on the interfacing, and make sure the squares have been perfectly cut to fit the grid squares on the interfacing. You also have to make sure the fabric squares are being placed on the right side of the interfacing. To confirm this, the right side is meant to be rough and bumpy while the wrong side is smooth and soft.
- You can continue to place the fabric square on the interfacing after confirming it is being done on the right side. Make sure the fabric square stays straight and sits perfectly on the square grid on the interfacing. You also have to ensure the quilting pattern is properly followed following the colour of fabric on the squares.
- When you have filled all the grids on the interfacing, then you can make use of your pressing iron. Adjust your iron settings and make sure it is set to high, wait till the iron gets hot before placing the iron on the nearest column of fabric squares. Firmly press the iron on the fabric for up to 10 seconds before lifting it and placing it on the next column.
- The iron heat triggers the adhesive present on the fusible interfacing, continue pressing the arranged fabric squares unto the fusible interfacing until all fabric squares get stuck in place. During the ironing process, make sure you don’t slide the iron on the boxes as it can move the boxes from their original position before they get perfectly fixed in place by the adhesive.
- When all the fabric squares have been properly fixed in place and ticked to the fusible interfacing, you can then stop the ironing process and proceed with the sewing phase where the fabric pieces get sewn with the interfacing. This strengthens the fabric pieces onto the interfacing and produces a perfect patchwork. For effective sewing, you should begin your sewing by stitching the column before the rows.
- Fold the first column on the interfacing and position it perfectly on your sewing machine. Sew a seam that is ¼ inches far from the fold of the column along the whole column. Repeat this sewing process on the remaining column on the interfacing.
- When the entire interfacing column has been sewn, turn the interfacing that has been fused and sewn with your fabric around to make the stitches and seams visible. Make use of the scissors to cut off the interfacing where the gridlines meet. This process lets you press seams in an opposite direction to make sure they are not thick.
- You should make sure you do the cutting cautiously to prevent the stitches from getting accidentally removed. When the interfacing has been cut off at all junctions, press each row with your iron in the opposite direction to reduce the size of the seams to ensure a light quilt.
- When you are done with the ironing, you can proceed with sewing the rows using the same sewing pattern as the columns. While sewing, you have to make sure the ironed seams remain in the opposite direction to properly nest the row and column seams together.
Now press the newly sewn row seams in the same direction as the column seams making all the fabric pieces’ seams face the same direction. When you are done ironing the back, flip the interfacing over and continue pressing from the right side to absolutely flatten the seams which is the final phase of your fusible interfacing quilting project.
Conclusion
By following this article, you should have all the needed information of fusible interfacing, the types of common fusible interfacing, and how it can be used in quilting. All you have to do is to get your quilting fabric material and create something beautiful.