What Is Fusible Fleece? Pellon 987F Explained
Interfacing is usually about crispness and structure. Fusible fleece flips that idea on its head: it is about softness. Pellon 987F Fusible Fleece is a one-sided fusible fleece that adds a cushiony layer of body and stability to your projects — no pinning, no basting, no hand sewing to hold it in place.
What Fusible Fleece Does
Think of 987F as a padded interlining that bonds directly to your fabric with the heat of an iron. Made of 100% polyester, it gives a soft, lofty layer between your outer fabric and lining. The result is a quilted, padded feel: totes that hold their shape, oven mitts that actually insulate, and home décor projects with a professional, finished hand. Because the fleece fuses in place, you skip the tedious pinning and basting that a loose layer of batting would require.
What It Is Best For
Pellon 987F shines in home decorating, crafts, and apparel sewing. Classic uses include:
- Tote bags, handbags, and backpacks — body without stiffness
- Pot holders, oven mitts, and casserole carriers
- Table runners, placemats, and wall hangings
- Quilted jackets and vests that need light padding
- Soft toys and nursery décor
- Fabric-covered bulletin boards and boxes
One of the more unusual talents of 987F: it can be fused not just to fabric, but also to cardboard and wood. That makes it a favorite for craft projects like fabric-covered boxes, binder covers, and décor pieces where you want a padded surface over a rigid base.
How to Use It
Application is straightforward because the product does the work of staying put:
- Cut the fleece slightly smaller than your fabric piece, so it sits inside the seam allowance and your seams do not bulk up.
- Place the rough, fusible side against the wrong side of your fabric. The bumpy adhesive dots are the fusible side — it goes down against the fabric.
- Cover with a press cloth and press with a warm iron, holding the iron in place rather than sliding it around. Lift and press across the whole surface to bond evenly.
- Let it cool completely before handling, so the adhesive sets.
Once fused, 987F is completely sewing machine safe — it will not gum up your needle the way some adhesives can. Stitch right through it, quilt it in place, or leave it as an unfused floating layer if your pattern calls for it.
Tips for Best Results
- Test on a scrap first. Iron heat varies, and a quick test piece confirms the bond without risking your project.
- Need extra body? You can layer two pieces of fusible fleece for added padding on items like bag bottoms or heavy-duty pot holders.
- Prewash your fabrics before fusing if the finished item will be laundered, so shrinkage does not pull against the fused layer.
- Choose your thread and needle as you would for a lightly padded project — a universal needle and regular thread are fine.
Care
Projects made with Pellon 987F care for the way their fabrics care for — follow the care instructions of the fabrics you paired it with. The 987F bolt comes 45 inches wide by 10 yards in white, so there is plenty for a whole batch of totes, potholders, or décor projects.
If you have been pinning layers of fleece into bags and pot holders by hand, fusible fleece is the upgrade that makes the job faster and neater. It is one of those notions that, once tried, becomes a permanent shelf staple.
Shop the Pellon® 987F Fusible Fleece 45" x 10 yards Bolt. Color: White. at Linda's Electric Quilters.
