Sewing With Fusible Thread
By Marian Lewis
Here are a few tips and ideas when sewing with fusible thread.
Fill a bobbin (slowly) or use it in your lower looper to simplify multiple tasks. Fusible thread creates a temporary bond to hold things in place while you complete the permanent stitching. It should not be used alone to make permanent seams.
For perfect bias binding, use fusible thread in the bobbin. Use a zigzag stitch to join the binding to the garment or quilt. Fold the bias over the edge. Press the edge (do not iron) lightly to enclose it and fuse in place. Now, you can stitch-in-the-ditch or well of the seam to make perfect binding every time.
Install centered zippers easily. Stitch down both sides of the back of the zipper tape with fusible thread in the bobbin. Center the zipper over the basted closed zipper seam allowances. Press in place. Now you can topstitch the zipper without any shifting. Remove the basted stitches to open the seam and zip your zipper.
Fusible thread is ideal when you want to match plaids or a design. With fusible thread on the top of the machine, straight stitch on the right side of the fabric 1/2" from the edge on one side of the seam. Fold this seam over on the 5/8" stitching line. Line up this edge with the 5/8" seam line on the other seam matching the plaid or design. Press and fuse in place. Now, stitch the seam as normal knowing that the design is matched and is held in place.
Use fusible thread when working with fake suede or difficult fabrics to keep them in place when stitching.
Use fusible thread to outline your appliques and fuse in place prior to satin stitching.
Try using it in the lower looper of your serger with a decorative thread in the upper loopers to serge around picture frame placemats.
Lay a length of fusible thread in the crease of your pants or in a pleat to help hold the crease. Cut a length of thread longer than you actually need. It shrinks up when it melts. Press, do not iron, to fuse the thread in the crease.
For a quick and easy turned hem, serge the edge of the fabric with fusible thread in the lower looper. Turn the hem and lightly press to hold. Then, complete your final stitching.
There are many uses for this thread. Try using it for basting and trapunto techniques, too.
Try it! It just makes sense!
�2006 Marian Lewis - All Rights Reserved - 1st Step To Sewing Success
Marian Lewis is a sewing instructor and the creator of an amazing new fitting method for hard-to-fit sewing folks. In her ebook, "Common Sense Fitting Method For Hard-To-Fit Sewing Folks Who Want Great Fitting Skirts And Pants", find out step-by-step WHAT you really need, WHERE you really need it and HOW to apply that to a commercial sewing pattern.
For more information, go to =>http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/fitting.html
Marian is also the author of other eBooks related to sewing including, "Sew A Tee Pee And Accessories For Your Tribe Of Kids" and "Classy Designer Straight Skirt" where she teaches basic and advanced sewing techniques.
To learn more, go to =>http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/sewing.html
To discover sewing and fitting secrets to achieve sewing success, follow the link =>http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com
1 comment:
that was amazingly hard to follow. i mean, WHY fusible thread? Because it's stretchy? If I've never used it, I don't know if it's stretchy or not. But the article sounds like it is. And the description for matching up patterns, I mean, whoa.. I had something folded over on itself in a bad way. Try starting at step 1.
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