QUILTsocial Issue 6 | Page 58

Interfacing: woven vs non-woven, fusible vs sew-in, which is better? Jennifer Houlden Therm-O-Web non-woven fusible interfacing Which is better, fusible or sew-in interfacing? I was so impressed with the Lone Star templates , which I used to create the tree skirt, that I decided to highlight another set of templates for this Qs Issue and see what I can create. I didn't really start out with any preconceived project and decided to just wing it and use the different shapes that the Carefree Curves templates make. Along with the templates I also need to use interfacing for this project since I'm working with curves and bias edges. So many options of interfacing: woven vs non-woven, fusible vs sew-in, let's see which is better? The benefit of the fusible is that once it has been heat activated to the back of the fabric it won't move but it still can wrinkle the top fabric when fused. I've had this happen once or twice but not enough to not use the fusible version. The sew-in interfacing is pinned to the back of the fabric and sewn in place with the possibility of shifting during sewing. It allows the fabric to drape nicely where as the fusible can distort the fabric changing how it drapes. Both versions add stability, thickness and stiffness to the fabric making the fabric easier to work with. First of all I gathered up a few bits and pieces to get me going on the project as well as some of the usual tools that are standard for any quilting project. Neither is really any better than the other but rather it depends on the p