What Is the Difference between Interfacing and Fusible Web?
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Are you looking to learn what is the difference between interfacing and fusible web?
There are various differences between interfacing and fusible web that you should be aware of. One of the major differences is that interfacing is actually a fabric while the fusible web is a fibre.
There are many different ways in which you can use both materials and have many great factors for using in different forms of sewing and crafts. Both are viable for using with clothing projects, quilting and crafts.
What Is Interfacing?
Interfacing is a piece of fabric fused to the wrong side of a garment to give it shape and stability. Interfacings have various levels of stiffness to meet particular purposes.
For example, if a garment is heavy, the interface you use will also be heavy so that it achieves its purpose optimally. It’s also important to note that they can be in different colors, but majorly interfacing is predominantly white.
Black and grey interfacings are other options you can explore. It is also worth noting that most interfaces are cotton or cotton-polyester combinations.
Some of the common places where you can use interfacing include: waistbands, cuffs, beneath buttoned areas, collars, and most décor projects.
Projects That Require Interfacing
When you are interfacing, you want to achieve certain important purposes. One of the things that interfacing does is that it gives stability to a garment. Whenever you are using an interface, you are giving shape to a garment and, thus giving it the support it requires to be stable.
Another reason why interface is important is that it allows a garment to have a professional look. If you are sewing commercially, you have to use interfaces to make your finished garments have a commercial look that attracts customers.
You will be able to achieve this by using the right interfacing. Moreover, when you are embroidering, you will need to use interfaces to make your garment more stable.
In addition, you will need interfacing to give body to fabrics that are weak. Essentially, this increases the level of stiffness to such a fabric to improve its quality. Of great importance still, when quilting, interfacing comes in handy as a way of adding heaviness and warmth to your fabrics.
Projects that require interfacing are things such as;
- Clothing, garment making, costume making & tailoring
- Home sewn items such as baskets, mats and pet beds
- Slippers, bags and accessories.
Alternatives To Interfacing
If you don’t have interfacing to hand you find alternatives right in your sewing room. Things such as cloth that has a little more body than the original and doesn’t show through is apopular choice.
This was also the most common method before interfacing was produced.
Other options are to use spray starch or fabric clue – these are less popular as they are harder to work with and can be a little messy. They can also damage your fabric or cause it to stain or warp.
What Is Fusible Web?
Fusible web is a fiber that melts when exposed to heat. If you place it between two pieces of cloth, the melting effect causes the fabrics to fuse together.
It is of interest to take note that the term fusible web is mostly used in the USA to refer to this product. On the other hand, the term Bondaweb is used in the UK to refer to the same product.
Fusible web comes in various rolls and widths. If you go to any shop that sells sewing accessories, you will find fusible web. You can buy one depending on the type of project you are dealing with. When using it, you should ensure that you wash your fabric first to ensure that you achieve a perfect fuse.
It also comes in different weights. An important point to always remember is that your fusible web should be close to the weight of your fabric.
Fundamentally, if you are fusing a lightweight fabric, the fusible web you use should be lightweight as well. On the other hand, if you are fusing a heavy fabric like denim, the fusible web you use should be heavy as well.
When you are fusible webbing, you will be looking forward to achieve various purposes.
Projects That Require Fusible Web
One of the things that fusible web does is that it fuses pieces of fabric together. Another purpose of fusible web is making pieces of cloth stiffer.
If you are having a sewing project and the fabrics you are dealing with are not firm enough, you can use fusible web to make them stiffer.
Additionally, it is applicable when mending hems and patching up small holes. If you have a garment that needs to have some light patching up, you can use fusible web to improve its quality.
Fusible web is great for creating a stiff fabric and base to mend or fuse fabrics together but does wash out so you might want to look at interfacing if you want something ore permanent.
Projects that require fusible web are things such as;
- Home DIY’s such as sewing machine mats & armchair caddy.
- Applique projects – here is a full list of the best fusible webs for applique.
- Mending clothes and holes
Alternatives To Fusible Web
There are a couple of alternatives you could look at using from fabric glue to basting spray.
These too wash out or have very little adhesiveness after washing so if you want long-lasting effect you will want to lose for something else.
The downside to using glues and sprays is that they can’t provide a fabric style base to work on if this is what you would prefer I would look at the different stabilizer options.
What Is The Difference Between Interfacing And Fusible Web?
There are various differences between interfacing and fusible web that you should be aware of. One of the major differences is that interfacing is actually a fabric while the fusible web is a fibre.
This difference has more to do with the structure of both products. Furthermore, while you can use fusible web to patch up small holes in a piece of cloth, interfacing might not do a good job here, depending on the material you are dealing with.
Another noteworthy difference between the two is that fusible web has adhesive on both sides while interfacing does not. Furthermore, interfacing can be woven or knit, while fusible web is neither woven nor knit.