Editors' blog from British Patchwork and Quilting Magazine, a monthly publication written by quilters, for quilters

Friday 16 May 2014

June Product of the Month - Reviews



Vilene Lamifix Glossy is a transparent, fusible coating that you can iron onto fabrics to give them a wipe clean finish and create something like an oilcloth. It can be applied to most fabrics, but for best results use on 100% cotton. As the coated fabric gives protection from getting dirty, it is great for making fabric bowls, cosmetic and toiletry bags, fabric shopping bags and table mats.

For more information on Vilene Lamifix Glossy and details of where to buy, visit www.eqsuk.com


For the June issue of P&Q we asked for some willing quilting volunteers via our Facebook page, to test out Lamifix Glossy for us, review and record their findings. This is what they had to say...


'We found Lamifix to be easy to use, the product stuck to the fabric well in the first instance and the fabric didn’t feel too stiff and had a nice sheen to it. However, as we worked the product into a kindle case, we did find that as we turned the bag the right way round the Lamifix crinkled and slightly bubbled off the fabric despite it being thoroughly stuck down earlier. The photo in P&Q is of my 10 year old daughter Emma with the finished article, which she made for her daddy. We did it in a morning making the pattern up as we went. She chose the fabrics, and the binding, we used felt for the lining and she did virtually everything herself, except the binding. Daddy was really pleased!' Jayne Hollingsworth



'I decided to make a small tote bag with the film on the outside giving it a lovely glossy appearance. It was easy to use but care needed not to leave pinholes. It cut easily and sewed using ordinary machine needle and foot. Working it caused creases, which were permanent. A very useful material that I would use inside rather than outside of bag next time.' Trisha Caulfield



'The iron temperatures need to be hot as adhesion at the edges of the fabric was variable. The first project I made was a mug mat, however the product cracked when I turned it inside out. The second item was a wipe clean breadbasket, which worked well but edges needed binding to secure.' Margaret Smith


 


'I thought this would be ideal to use to make a wipe clean bib for a toddler. The foil took a long time to bond with the calico and went wrinkly at the edges; the overall finish looked shabby. This was a disappointing product to use and I would not recommend it.' Rachel Bushell

If you would like the opportunity to review a product for us visit our Facebook page and look out for our next product review post! www.facebook.com/britishpatchworkandquiltingmagazine






Friday 9 May 2014

May Product of the Month Reviews - Mistyfuse

Mistyfuse is an ultra-light, paper-less, iron on fusible web. It is incredibly sheer, doesn’t add bulk or stiffen fabric and bonds firmly once cooled. It can be used with all weights of fabric from velvets and cottons to delicate tulles and organza. Since there is no added adhesive, it will not leave any residue on your scissors or needles. It is available in black and white.


 

For more information on Mistyfuse and details of where to buy, visit www.eqsuk.com

For the May issue of P&Q we asked for some willing quilting volunteers via our Facebook page, to test out Mistyfuse for us, review and record their findings. This is what they had to say....


 

'Wow well the possibilities are endless with this stuff, every art and textiles GCSE student needs this. The only problems I had with Mistyfuse was the wind catching it as I shook it out and a bit attached itself to the hot iron, but it did come off easily.

I tried 2 techniques; firstly I used peacock feathers bonded between two sheets of Mistyfuse on top of a piece of cotton fabric and then ironed under baking parchment. The cotton has been left with a chintzy glaze but the feathers have stuck fast. I had no problem free machine quilting through the Mistyfuse area, but pin marks show and do not close over.


The second was the appliqué Liberty hearts. The pink one was done with Mistyfuse, the burgundy with a paper backed fusible, the Mistyfuse backed one feels lighter and softer with no sharp points.' Rachel Bushell





'Ideal for use with a variety of fabrics. I used Mistyfuse to appliqué onto linen. It worked well fusing multiple layers together and still remaining pliable. Sewing through the fabrics by machine and hand was easy. I did miss the convenience of a paper back to trace onto, but overall a very nice product to use.' Margaret Convery




'Mistyfuse doesn't seem as fast to me for design transfer as paper-backed fusibles, especially if you need a lot of different shaped appliqué pieces. It is wonderful for free cutting shapes from prepared fabric. Mistyfuse is ideal for bonding snippets of fabric and thread together and applying to a background fabric, paper or even wood! My favourite use is with the Bernina Cutwork tool. I prepare fabric with Mistyfuse which stops them sliding when stacked for cutting out. The fusible is so fine that I can stack more than with other fusibles. 
The pictures below show original projects where Mistyfuse was used; A cushion where the hexagons were stacked and cut before fusing and stitching and Russian doll appliqués where again the various shapes were stacked for cutting.' Rosalind Pollock





'Mistyfuse was very fine, with no evidence of glue, and having followed the basic instructions one piece of fabric fused very well to another whilst not making the overall fabric too rigid and inflexible. Don't think I shall be using conventional fusible in the future.' Louise Bennett

If you would like the opportunity to review a product for us visit our Facebook page and look out for our next product review post!

www.facebook.com/britishpatchworkandquiltingmagazine


Emma