Gail B

I used Steam a Seam for the first time to do snowman applique blocks. When I ironed the applique to the background fabric some of the snowmen adhered to it & some didn't stick at all. I followed the directions exactly. Cannot figure out why this happened. Can I now cut more Steam a Seam for the ones that didn't stick & iron it in place? Will this work? It all stuck to the applique pieces. Is there a better product to use?

lynndianne

I'm interested in the answers that come through. I'm a noodnick when it comes to fusible web products.

Thanks for bringing up the questions.

Lynn

auntpiggylpn

Did you pre wash your fabrics? I know that I have a really tough time getting any fusible to stick when I don't prewash. The chemicals in the fabrics makes it difficult for the fusible to adhere. You could try more steam a seam or you could just use a glue stick for the spots that don't want to stick

QuiltE

Likewise, I'm wondering ... if it was prewashed and then spray starch or Best Press used, if it'd create the same problem?

Pat1969

I learned (after a long time with this problem) that when you prewash your fabrics, NEVER use a dryer sheet. I don't know if liquid fabric softener will do the same thing or not, since I only use dryer sheets. But the chemicals in the dryer sheets will not allow iron on products to adhere to your fabrics. And it is only in certain spots. I used to have bubbles of fabric that would not adhere. I found a post on the internet that suggested this and so I made it a rule to never use a dryer sheet when prewashing my sewing fabrics. You never know which fabrics that you might use with iron on interfacing. I haven't had any more problems since doing that. Whenever I teach a beginner quilting class or paper piecing class, I always tell them this in hopes that they will start off with good habits. I hope that this helps you.
Pat

DogHouseMom

I think I know what happened ... happened to me once - of course it was when I was trying to place a single 5' long applique!!

Sometimes when you peel the first backing off, the sticky stuff sticks to the backing instead of the fabric. I had noticed it because it was such a large applique and I was going very slow (perhaps too slow). I was able to peel the webbing off the backing and hand stick it to the applique. It was only in a few spots.

My fabric had been pre-washed but it was heavily starched. I don't think I would want to place an applique that was not heavily starch.

So perhaps that is what happened - the web remained with the paper. I got used to checking the paper to make sure it was web free.

Edited after reading Pat's post ... perhaps my problem was not the size of the applique - but the fact that I use a dryer bar in my laundry. Will have to remember that.

Mariposa

You can use white vinegar as a natural fabric softener. I put it in a Downy ball, then add the ball to the load. The fabrics come out of the dryer with no smell, and no issues with fusibles either.

Pat1969

Thanks you Mariposa. Good to know!
Pat

Gail B

I didn't use fabric softener, dryer sheet or starch.

Gail B

Thank you so much DogHouseMom, that is exactly what happened. The sticky stuff stuck to the backing. You guys ROCK!