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Fusible Batting Review
I recently bought a Queensize pack of Hobbs Heirloom® 80/20 Fusible Cotton Blend Batting but after reading about various bad experiences other bloggers had had with fusible wadding, I asked Sarah about it and she sent me a very helpful email describing her experience of it coming unstuck whilst quilting a large quilt. I decided to try it out on my red and white quilt which is 73″ x 73″ square.
This is a review of the fusible batting. I don’t have pictures for every stage and assume readers are familiar with the general process of quilting on a domestic sewing machine.
The Process:
Firstly, I placed all three layers of my quilt sandwich together on a large table covered with a table protector and ironed first the top of the sandwich, then turned it over and ironed the bottom. Although the batting had initially looked quite wrinkly everything ironed together very smoothly and easily. The sandwich did fuse through to the table protector but it was easily lifted and did not feel sticky.
Once the three layers were fused together I discovered my backing fabric showed through to the front of the quilt when held up to the light. I was able to peel it off very easily and replace it with some light solid cotton fabric which fused on well.
Fore-warned was fore-armed! After fusing I pinned all three layers together as shown (the squares are 4 1/2″).
I quilted this in straight lines 1 1/2″ apart. Using a Janome Sewist which has a six inch throat, I began in the middle and quilted lines top to bottom and bottom to top alternately. I marked my lines with a water soluble marker and I noticed this caused some movement of the layers. Rolling the quilt also caused some unsticking along crease lines but the sandwich felt quite stiff and the roll kept together well. During the sewing, I found it was much easier to keep the area under the presser foot flat than with pins alone.
These photos show the finished result before washing. I was very pleased with how flat and even it turned out although it’s hard to show well with white on white. Although the fabric (especially the backing) has got quite creased from all the man handling through the machine, there are no wrinkles or puckers under the stitching lines and no signs of the fabric dragging.
My conclusion is that this is easy to fuse together/re-position/take apart so long as it is kept flat. For cushions and mini quilts I would feel happy about using this wadding alone. But for anything that requires folding, creasing or generally pulling about before it is securely quilted together, I would recommend pinning as well. Although having to use pins might seem to defeat the object of using a fusible batting, I found the fusing made the sandwich much more manageable to baste a fairly large quilt single handed.
Friday Finish
Here it is fresh out of the drier and this quilt is my Friday Finish.
Quilters Show and Tell
Other news, today I’ve entered the:
The theme this week is Challenge Quilts and I’ve entered my Old Man and the Sea, which you might remember.
Of course I’d love for anyone to vote for me but I’d recommend you visit anyway because there is also a give-away open to everyone visiting the site during the weekend voting. [Click here to go to the voting/giveaway page.] When you visit you simply leave a comment answering this week’s question and you’ll be entered in the give-away. Voting will start shortly after 8:00 a.m. (EST) today and last until Monday, January 21st at 8:00 a.m. (EST).
Happy Friday and Happy Sewing!
RAINBOW HARE 
Celtic Thistle
Have never thought of using fusible batting, but will certainly bear your tips in mind if I do Janine!
Off to check out that giveaway and vote for your quilt :)
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LynCC
Thanks for sharing your experience. Love this fresh, sweet quilt :)
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Deb@asimplelifequilts
Thanks for the lowdown on fusible batting! And, you've reminded me that I have a couple bags of June Tailor fusible I bought on clearance a while back… I'll have to give it a try. I love how you quilted that pretty quilt.
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Ginette
I Like using fusible batting for small mini quilts or bags.
I voted for you! Your blue challenge quilt is one of my favourites! Good luck!
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Betsy Lynn
Love your little quiltie! I voted for you!
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Lucy @ Charm About You
It should be snow and tell ;)
Good review, I think I will stick to pinning – fusible and spray just seem a bit of a bother to me.
I will certainly head over and vote for you now… that Old Man and the Sea is utterly amazing – I absolutely love it (my husband just caught a glance and said 'that's awesome' too!!)
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Jess
Oh totally voting, I adore that quilt! It is seriously amazing.
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Patti
I don't think I've seen fusible batting here, but your quilt looks great! Thanks for reminding me about the voting! Wish I could vote for your old man 4 times!
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Nat at Made in Home
I used fusible wadding and Found it useful for pinning..great finish Friday!
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krista
Neat! I'd never heard of fusible batting. Ya learn something new everyday! Cool challenge quilt, good luck in the contest!
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Benta AtSLIKstitches
I usually spray baste, but thanks for a very informative review
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tusen
I'm afraid I'm a bit too late for voting, but the Old Man and the Sea is brilliant. I love how you quilted the water.
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Soma Acharya
I have always wondered about fusible batting. That is a very nice review. Quilt looks great too :)
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Yon Quilting Wife
I'd also not heard good reviews about fusable wadding. I might try it on something small and see how it goes. I love your Old Man of the Sea.
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Christina Fairley Erickson
I love the hand stitching on your Old Man and the Sea. It adds a lot of texture and feels like both waves and a representation of the depth of the ocean. Very nice!
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Nancy
Thanks so much for sharing this article. I was just ready to try fusible batting and feel more
confident now!
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