Quilt in a Day Forums

Does anyone know, pls, if the "Fusible Interfacing Grid- 1 1/2, Item #5011" that QIAD sells is the fusible interfacing that Eleanor uses for her applique in a day series?
What is the difference between fusible interfacing and the Printed Interfacing, also for sale at QIAD. thanks bunches, carol/kittyquilt

Oh Kitty, I wish I could help, but "Hi" anyway. I'm sure someone who knows will be along shortly.

I think I know the answer to the first question. The printed grid is marked into squares, 1" size, I believe. If you are going to enlarge or decrease a photo, for instance, you can do it by using this stuff. For example, I once had a bookmarker I just loved of a fairy on a unicorn, but it was tiny, of course, and I wanted to make a whole quilt out of the picture. I drew off 1/2" squares all across the bookmark. Then I took a big sheet of paper and drew off squares 5" square on it. Then I drew into each square, the part of the picture in each 1/2" square. Worked beautifully. And was easy. Hardest part was drawing off the squares.

As for the other question, about El's preprinted interfacing... She ran her plain interfacing through her printer (or had it done, rather) by putting it on a piece of, probably, freezer paper, or something stable. You can draw the patterns off for yourself on regular fusible interfacing you buy at the quilt store. It's quicker to not have to do that, of course, but faster, if time is of any consequence.

Rather than using interfacing, you can use any fusible... Wonder Under, but it makes it rather stiff, and right now there's a bad batch out there... ask me how I know that... but there are other things as well... lite steam-a-seam comes in packages, rolls or by the yard, depending on how much you need. Pay no attention to the directions on the by the yard stuff. You have to press it with an iron, first to the back of the fabric then to your project. It only tells you to "stick it to the back of your fabric", which to me means push it down really hard with your hands. lol. It does not stick to your fabric unless you press it with heat.
Now, with El's, you put the printed interfacing, glue side down, on the RIGHT side of your fabric and stitch all around, make a little cut in the fusible and turn it right side out. Then you don't have any raw edges. I like raw edge applique and with the fusible web on it, it doesn't fray or ravel.
I bought El's preprinted stuff, but instead used it as the pattern only, so as not to waste it all, and I wanted my Sunbonnet Sue's going the other direction. Don't ask me why. I just thought they ought to be going both directions.

Hope this helps.

Joanne.
p.s. if you have a lot of curves when you blindstitch, reduce the pressure on your presser foot and you can sail around those curves without stopping and moving your pattern. Works great on hearts, circles and things like that.

I'm sure the grid can be used for other things besides home copying, like I told you about. Since they are in 1" squares, if you needed to interface draperies, or placemats, for example, you wouldn't need to use a ruler.

So, the answer to your first question is both yes and no. Both are preprinted interfacings but I think the grid stuff may be heavier and more "un-tearable" if there is such a word. It is sold at your quilt store. Go see and feel it.

Thanks for all the info Joanne. Fusibles are Confusibles to me.

Thanks for the info everyone, I think I am actually "getting it." LOL This is a whole new experience for me. carol/kittyquilt

Joanne, Thank You for all of the info you gave. I really appreciate it as it was confusing for me as well.

Hugs & Love