The Quilt Maker’s Toolkit – Charlotte’s Fusible Web for Raw Edge Applique – video tutorial

Today’s post is a part of a series called The Quilt Maker’s Toolkit, showing and teaching about the products I use while I make my quilts.

There are no products in this series that I do not use and use often, though sometimes my opinions may change as I grow and move along in my journey of quilt making.  To view all posts in this series click here.

 

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If you are joining in my latest quilt along, I am Enough, then you learned about my favorite new applique method a few weeks ago.  Today it’s time to show everyone who hasn’t joined in.  This stuff is too magical to keep a secret and requires a proper tutorial with permanence.

Favorite new applique method.  Yep!  For raw edge at least.  The product is called Charlotte’s Fusible Web and it’s by Superior Threads.

 

Please note that this post is not sponsored by Superior Threads. I found this product during research for the best applique methods.

 

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Product Spotlight

•  Sonata Fabric Collection by Amy Sinibaldi for Art Gallery Fabrics
• 100% cotton, quilting weight
• 16 fabrics
• 1 cut of each print per bundle (16 total)

Purchase here.

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Charlotte’s Fusible Web

I really love that name for obvious reasons!  Let me begin by telling you what it’s for and why I like it.

The fusible web looks like a thread, even if it’s much thicker.  When heated it turns basically into a glue.  It can replace your usual raw edge applique method such as fusible interfacing, or even iron on fabric adhesive.

Those two methods I’ve just mentioned have been my go-to for raw edge applique.  I’ve used them in countless tutorials and incessantly during the Anthologie quilt along.  They work wonderfully!  However, they do leave your applique with a thick stiffness to it.  Even after you wash it, there’s stiffness.

That’s the beauty and why I’m so enamored over the Charlotte’s Fusible Web.  There is no thickness.  There is no stiffness.  It’s just one fabric laid over another fabric, except it doesn’t leave your applique hard to sew when you topstitch around it.

 

Buy Charlotte’s Fusible Web

 

The price of this is around $6 for a spool of over 100 yards.  Not too pricy at all when compared to the other two products I was using.  I have done all my applique work for the I am Enough quilt along, I made twenty three centers for Dresden plates, I shared an entire bobbin of this with a friend and I’ve still got a full spool.

 

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My Quilt Patterns

      

Shop All Patterns Here

 

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How to Use it

1. Spin a bobbin of the Charlotte’s Fusible Web (it’s only used in your bobbin).
2. Cut your applique out (JUST THE FABRIC).
3. Sew around the edges of your applique using the Charlotte’s Fusible Web in your bobbin and a polyester thread as your top thread.  Leave a tail for pulling out the top thread later.
4. Next layer the applique where you want it placed.  Use an iron and press.
5. Once cooled, pull the top thread out using the tail you left in step 3.  Keep your finger just behind where you are pulling to insure you don’t accidentally lift up your applique.
6. Sew around the edges of your applique with your preferred stitch.

Here’s a video tutorial for you to see it better:

 

Supplies Used in Video:

• Charlotte’s Fusible Web
• So Fine polyester thread
• Pinking shears from Havel’s
• Cutting Mat from Havel’s
• embroidery hoops
• Fabrics:  owl print, XOXO in lilac, the stripe, the gray Bari J floral

Some Questions You might have

The pinking shears are not necessary, it just helps with your fabric fraying less.

You use a dark polyester thread because polyester thread has less fuzz.  Since we are dealing with glue on the fusible thread we wouldn’t want any fuzz to stick with it.  I choose a dark color just for seeing it better to pull it out.  Read more about thread here.

I’m making a Dresden plate using 3.5″ blades.  My circle was made using a 3.5″ embroidery hoop.  Read more about Dresden making here, a free pattern is here for this very Dresden plate quilt.

 

Just incase you are wondering about this Dresden plate, it is the same quilt I was working on this past Wednesday here.  I’ll be showing you the finished quilt very soon as I am nearly done.

Dresden plate quilts are ever time consuming and a real test to patience, but I’ve made these often enough that I feel I’ve found a rhythm that might even be considered “quick” in terms of seriously pieced quilts.  Though, I think we all know that in truth there’s nothing quick about a quilt with this many pieces.

 

 

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Custom Quilt Labels

[easy-image-collage id=17147]

Shop Custom Quilt Labels

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Now that I’ve discovered Charlotte’s Fusible Web I seriously doubt I ever will use my other raw edge applique methods again.  That sounds harsh to them, but this made things so much softer.  I don’t think I can go back to stiffness.

Tell me your thoughts.  I love hearing from you.  Have you used it?  What did you think?  Do you plan on using it for your next applique project?