Monday, March 24, 2008

Old Dog Learns New Trick

I just finished an addition to Carolle's Sew-A-Row and I even used a new technique I'd only read about.

I've been a Wonder Under user for over 20 years when I made decorated sweat shirts and T shirts for my kids. Heck, I even blew out the transmission in my beloved Husquvarna sewing machine trying to stitch over Heat-n-Bond heavy (note to self: read the instructions). That said, I often don't like the stiffness that using a fusible web gives the finished product.

Several weeks ago, I saw a post somewhere out there on the internet about using a fusible thread to prepare for machine applique so that a web was not needed. I was all over that!

The product is "Charlotte's Fusible Web" developed by Charlotte Warr Anderson for Superior Threads, and when used in the bobbin with Superior's "Monopoly" (not to be confused with the board game) permits the user to fuse shapes temporarily to a background for machine applique.

The tutorial for using the thread was very helpful and using this technique, I was able to machine applique my pieces easily.

Color me happy because I LOVE learning something new!!

PS: My row is the "Love" with vintage valentines.

6 comments:

jovaliquilts said...

Neat! I used fusible thread in the bobbin once when I wanted to machine stitch a binding. After stitching the binding to the BACK of the quilt, you flip the binding over to the front and iron it in place (the fusible bobbin thread holds it), then it's easy to machine stitch the binding from the front.

Angie said...

I love your "Love" sew-a-row! Perfect with the hearts! Glad to know you tested out the monopoly theory! and it worked!

Anonymous said...

Wow, that is pretty slick! Great idea and technique, perhaps I might be convinced to do the "A" word that way :-)))
The sew a row is very cute!
Kathy B

Finn said...

Hi Ms Jan...what a great post! I learned something too...LOL I have a tendency to ignore new products that require learning, but this one sounds like it would be worth it. Thanks for sharing...love your row! Hugs, Finn

jenclair said...

Love it! I guess I'd better use up the WU I have, but some projects will now use the thread. Thanks!

Nellie's Needles said...

Thank you. I had bought 2 spools of the fusible thread from Superior when it first came out, but had never bothered to figure out how to use it. At some point I'll use it as instructed. In the meantime, I think it may be just what I need to temporarily catch a long edge of fabric down in an applique art piece until I can get it to the sewing machine. I plan to just lay under that edge and touch it with my tiny iron.