something new I learned about Wonder Under 805
03-22-2011, 11:14 AM
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,688
I use a lot of Pellon Wonder Under 805, a LOT. I use it one of two ways, depending on the project. I either fuse it to the fabric, leave the paper on, let it cool, draw my pattern on the paper, cut it out and then remove the paper OR I trace the pattern onto the paper side of the fusible, fuse it to the fabric, let it cool, cut it out and then remove the paper.
In both cases I am cutting paper and fabric together and dulling my scissors in the process while also pulling paper off small pieces of fabric which can easily fray the edges. I do not stitch the edges on my work, so avoiding pulled threads is quite important to the quality of the finished piece.
Many advanced art quilters, on the other hand, fuse web to fabric, remove the paper and cut freehand...just fabric and web. I'm not ready for that yet and neither are most of the appliqué quilters I know. Not being able to get a specific pattern onto the glue directly has always made me nuts.
So, here's what I learned that you may be able to use, too. When you fuse the web to the fabric, let it cool, remove the paper keeping it whole, and THEN trace your pattern onto the paper with a Sharpie or other black permanent marker. Place the ink side of the paper on the glue side of the fused fabric and iron it for 5 seconds. Let the fabric cool and remove the paper. The ink should transfer to the fabric and you can cut it out just inside the black line without ruining your scissors or pulling on the edges of your pieces.
I hope that makes sense, and believe me, bells and whistles went off in my head when I read it yesterday!!! Funny how such little things can excite us beyond belief isn't it. :lol: Boy, I sure hope I wasn't the last person in the universe to find out about this trick... :shock:
In both cases I am cutting paper and fabric together and dulling my scissors in the process while also pulling paper off small pieces of fabric which can easily fray the edges. I do not stitch the edges on my work, so avoiding pulled threads is quite important to the quality of the finished piece.
Many advanced art quilters, on the other hand, fuse web to fabric, remove the paper and cut freehand...just fabric and web. I'm not ready for that yet and neither are most of the appliqué quilters I know. Not being able to get a specific pattern onto the glue directly has always made me nuts.
So, here's what I learned that you may be able to use, too. When you fuse the web to the fabric, let it cool, remove the paper keeping it whole, and THEN trace your pattern onto the paper with a Sharpie or other black permanent marker. Place the ink side of the paper on the glue side of the fused fabric and iron it for 5 seconds. Let the fabric cool and remove the paper. The ink should transfer to the fabric and you can cut it out just inside the black line without ruining your scissors or pulling on the edges of your pieces.
I hope that makes sense, and believe me, bells and whistles went off in my head when I read it yesterday!!! Funny how such little things can excite us beyond belief isn't it. :lol: Boy, I sure hope I wasn't the last person in the universe to find out about this trick... :shock:
03-22-2011, 11:30 AM
#5
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Southwest Kansas
Posts: 4,820
Interesting. One thing I've noticed that made a difference in the edge quality of my appliques is the type of scissors I use to cut them out with. I use serrated scissors now and I get very little edge fraying.
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