I recently whipped up another infographic! 😀 I wanted to get to this topic much sooner, but I felt I needed to tackle more basic things first.
This one goes over the steps involved in fusible web applique in a fun flowchart form. Applique is probably my favorite technique because of its versatility, so hopefully this chart will show all the possibilities you have when using it depending on the tools and skills you have.
It works much the same way as other flowcharts — you start at the top and answer questions brought up in the gray boxes. From there you follow the arrows based on your answer to get to the next step. While it doesn’t go over exactly how to do all the different stitches, it should still simplify the process as a whole.
I’ve gotten a lot of questions about satin stitching as well, so I hope to tackle that one in an infographic soon too 🙂
In the meantime, I hope this one is helpful!
24 thoughts on “Infographic: Fusible Web Applique”
This is very helpful Choly! Thank you for this. This is really easy to understand.
BTW, I’ve been meaning to ask; have you made an infographic about choosing the right sewing machine needles? I think (in an estimate) I’ve been breaking my sewing machine needles right after or just before finishing one project (one costume).
I’ve tried searching about it online and ask friends but they don’t specifically state the numbers of the needles and for what specific fabric would the needle be compatible with.
Thanks so much for everything you do! ❤
I’m so glad it helps and is easy to understand!
As far as needles are concerned, I actually saved this infographic from another site: http://mesewcrazy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/sewing-machine-needle-guide.jpg
It’s another flowchart but for sewing needles 🙂 I’m thinking it might answer your questions based on what you said — the different number sizes can be found at the bottom.
Hopefully that helps with what you needed!
Super helpful! Thank you! <3
Oh thank you sooooo much for that, I’ve had lots of trouble with applique!
Although, I’ve had a problem that you don’t seem to experience. I’ve used some quilting cotton for applique in the past (and the mishap kept me from trying it again), and lightweight fusible web, and small perpendicular handstitches. But it eventually came apart! Both the adhesive and the stitches, because the cotton frayed. Would you have an idea of what I’m doing wrong?
Thanks so much for sharing you knowledge with us all the time!
I’m really glad it helps!
As for the stitching problem you had — it’s definitely something I’ve run into before since cotton does like to fray :/ Sometimes the culprit is that I didn’t let the adhesive fuse long enough so it didn’t get the strongest hold. But some cottons have a looser weave and will fray more readily. I find it usually helps to do a longer whip stitch and make the stitches a little closer together. A blanket stitch also helps a little too if you’re willing to try that 🙂
I really hope that helps in the future!
Thanks so much, I’ll try that!
Thank you for posting this. I’ve seen lots of stuff referencing fusible webbing and I haven’t been able to figure out exactly what that is. Every time I think I’ve found it, I’ve been wrong. But with this post, I should be able to find the right stuff next time. Thank you.
Hey! This is amazing! I’ve recently started working on much larger plushies and I think I will have to start using the applique method for eyes, My embroidery machine only fits a 5×7 so I will probably have to hand manipulate the satin stitches at least when attaching the eyes to the face. Do you have any tips for lining up the eyes so they come out evenly? and would using hooped stabilizer help or just stabilizer alone should be enough support? I am really excited to try the fusible method too! Pins are just a mess for facial features XD Thank you for being amazing!
I’m so glad you like it!
I feel you on the size limitation on embroidery machines — I wish it wasn’t so difficult to find ones that stitch larger. But as for lining up eyes, I sometimes fuse them really quickly so the adhesive doesn’t bond that strongly — then I fold the face piece in half to see if the eyes line up. If they don’t then it’s easy to reposition them. I also like to check for symmetry by measuring the distance from the eye to the edge of the fabric on both sides.
And I always just use one sheet of tearaway stabilizer alone beneath the project 🙂 Some like to use a water-soluble stabilizer on top, but I do fine with just the one.
I hope that helps!
Thanks so much for this!! It’s so helpful and easy to understand! I will definitely follow these steps!
! I’ve recently started working on much larger plushies and I think I will have to start using the applique method for eyes, My embroidery machine only fits a 5×7 so I will probably have to hand manipulate the satin stitches at least when attaching the eyes to the face.
You have the best tutorials! I do have one question. I’ve done several of your patterns using minky and as far as fusing the applique to them, can I ask how you do that without melting the fabric? When I applique I take a dry iron to the pieces I’ve drawn on the fusible interfacing, then put the cut out pieces onto the pattern pieces and apply with a hot iron and a damp rag. Is there a better way to do this with minky? Thank you so much!
It sounds like your method is pretty similar to mine! I too use a dry iron for fusing the pieces to the fusible web. Then I put the applique pieces on the minky. I place a thin cotton press cloth over the applique pieces, spritz a bit of water, and iron them with a medium-heat iron. And that always works well for me 🙂
small question, but will you ever have more options for hand stitchers?
I have some more options in my eBook since I had more room to show more information 🙂 There’s a blanket stitch and a running stitch included: https://cholyknight.com/2018/04/17/plush-sewing-basics-ebook/
So I’ve tried to use a lightweight fusible web with felt for my applique. No matter what I seem to do, the web clings to the felt so when I pull it off, none of the glue is left on the felt and a ton of felt fibers come off onto the web paper. I’m using a dry iron, about medium heat. I’ve tried with no press cloth, parchment paper for a press cloth, towel for a press cloth, and an old 100% cotton shirt for a press cloth and none seem to make a difference. It’s either under ironed or over ironed, even if I only apply heat for maybe 2-3 seconds. I don’t know if I’m using the ‘wrong type’ of felt? Or if I should just try a different fabric all together. It’s starting to get frustrating :/
Oh no! I’m sorry it’s doing that to you 🙁 In my experience, the problem might be in the fusible web. I’m not sure what brand you might be using, but I find longer heat is what does the trick — that will really get the adhesive to bond to the fibers of the felt and let go of the paper. Maybe as much as 10 seconds without moving. I’ve never had the problem of it being over-ironed though so that could just be my experience.
Another issue I’ve had in removing the paper is if the adhesive is a little sparse, then it can be hard to separate it from the paper. I find if you treat it like a stubborn sticker, and bend one of the corners a bunch so it eventually releases from the adhesive, that usually gets it going.
I really hope some of that might help your situation! I imagine every brand is different so it’s hard to be sure though ♥
Thank you for the advice! Today I ended up using some liquid fabric glue before hand sewing them to the main body piece. I will definitely start practicing more with some scraps and different brands with your tips though! <3
Thank you so much for this. I managed to make 3 plushies with my sewing machine (lots of mistakes, but I will get better with time)
I am having a lot of trouble with appliques, I am using Minky for the main part of the plushies and Felt for details.
I can only do those details by sewing by hand and holding the felt pieces with pins. I bought what I thought was fusible web, but it didn’t work because I bought the wrong thing.
I’ve been searching on Amazon and Plushaddict (I am based in UK) and I am going a bit crazy.
Do you mind telling me if this item would work with Minky and Felt?
https://plushaddict.co.uk/top-brands/bondaweb/vlieseline-vilene-bondaweb-329-fusible-iron-on-double-sided-sheet-white-1m-x-45cm.html
Thank you very much!
Do you have a FB, Twitter, DIscord or someplace to send you messages? This website is fantastic but sometimes it’s a bit complicated to find a topic to send you a message!
Hello! I’m glad the tutorial was able to help! I’m so sorry about the fusible web confusion, but it does look like you have the right item picked out this time! It says also known as Wonder Under (which is a brand here in the states), and it’s an iron-on web adhesive on transfer paper. Also the instructions are nearly identical to what I do. So it’s good on all fronts 👍
As far as other ways to contact me, there’s:
Facebook: facebook.com/sewdesune
Twitter: twitter.com/CholyKnight
and Instagram: instagram.com/sewdesune
I hope that helps!
Hey, sorry to bother, english is not my first language so could you help me by confirming this is the right thing? https://www.amazon.com/HeatnBond-Iron-Adhesive-Value-Inches/dp/B001687ZDA/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3NXCKO4HNGMYP&keywords=Therm-o-Web+Heat-N-Bond+Lite&qid=1668627510&sprefix=therm-o-web+heat-n-bond+lite%2Caps%2C451&sr=8-1
It is correct, yes! That’s the light version so your applique will need to be sewn to finish it 😊
Hello there. I have a quick question regarding your Appa pattern. I am using felt for the applique and a fur fabric for the cream areas of him and wondered if you had any tips on how to use fusible web applique techniques on fur fabrics?
My daughter will love him if I can be brave enough to make a start.
Thank you for all your hard work. Your patterns are amazing.
Hello, I personally didn’t do much different for the applique on the fur fabric 😊 I brushed any excess out of the way so it didn’t get caught up in the seams, but I didn’t go so far as to trim the fur.
This video might help you get a sense of what to expect:
I hope that helps!