Applying Fusible Interfacing Using a Template

Today I've got a fresh new tutorial for you, along with a fresh new tutorial format I'm trying out. Lately I've been torn between creating photo and video tutorials which leads to me not posting either of them. On the one hand it's always nice to be able to follow along while I or someone else (I'm not usually re-watching my own videos) demo, but sometimes I find myself just wanting a quick refresher and I don't always want to watch a full video for that. I know I can't be the only one, so today I've got a two-part tutorial for you. The first is a video where I walk you through exactly what I'm doing and why, and the second part is a set step-by-step photos and descriptions for quick reference later if needed. 

Watch the Full Video

Quick Reference Photo Tutorial

Have you ever struggled with your fabric shifting out of shape while applying fusible interfacing? If so, welcome to the club! Block fusing is one option to prevent this issue, but using a home iron setup to fuse two larger pieces of fabric together can be frustrating. Additionally, cutting and fusing smaller blocks for individual pattern pieces wastes more fabric and interfacing than I'd like.

What I do instead is trace the pattern piece onto scrap paper or muslin, creating a template to use while fusing. Why do I trace it off and not just fuse on top of the actual pattern piece? Well you can do that of course, but we all know I love to keep my patterns as pristine as possible – I am a pattern maker and serial repeat sewer after all!

Begin by tracing your pattern piece out onto either paper or stable muslin. Muslin is my favorite because it has a bit of tooth so smoother fabrics won't slide around on it as much as paper. I also always have extra pieces laying around from pattern development that are too small to be used in a new garment so it feels great to give those a use. 

Here you can see the pattern piece traced out onto both paper and muslin. I marked the notches so that I can be sure everything is aligning properly.

Now align your pattern piece on the template and lightly manipulate it into place. This is where I find the tooth of the muslin useful to hold the fabric in place, especially on a piece like the Poppy neckband which is cut across the bias of the fabric between the center front and center back.

Once your fabric is in place, gently lay the fusible overtop making sure not to shift the fabric.

Cover with a press cloth and fuse the fabric & interfacing together with a hot iron. I don't personally use steam for my fusible, just high heat and pressure. When fusing make sure you are only pressing, not ironing, as the back and forth motion of ironing can shift the fusible off the fabric.

You've now got a beautifully fused piece and you're ready to sew, that's all there is to it!

Have you ever tried this method? Are you a block fusing devotee? Let me know!