How to Choose Interfacing for Appliqué: Sew-In vs Fusible Explained

Interfacing is the quiet workhorse behind crisp appliqué, but choosing the wrong kind can turn a fun project into a frustrating one. Lori Holt's packaged Pellon sew-in interfacing is a light-to-medium-weight, non-fusible interfacing designed specifically for Lori Holt's machine and hand appliqué methods using her Sew Simple Shapes templates and Bee in My Bonnet specialty rulers. It's the interfacing she used in her sew-along for the Cozy Christmas Quilt, made with her Cozy Christmas fabric collection for Riley Blake Designs.

What Is Sew-In Interfacing?

Sew-in interfacing — also called non-fusible — is a non-woven layer of interfacing with no heat-activated adhesive on either side. You cut it, layer it with your appliqué shapes or quilt blocks, and stitch it into place instead of ironing it down. Because there's nothing to melt or reposition, sew-in interfacing gives you complete control over placement, which matters enormously for appliqué work.

Sew-In vs Fusible: Which One for Appliqué?

Fusible interfacing bonds to fabric with a hot iron, and it's excellent for garment construction and bag-making where you want a firm, permanent bond. But for appliqué — especially the needle-turn and machine appliqué Lori Holt teaches — sew-in interfacing is often the better choice. It keeps the fabric soft and supple, never adds stiffness you can't undo, and won't gum up your needle with adhesive residue. If a shape sits slightly off, you can simply lift it and reposition it without a sticky fusible layer fighting you.

What This Interfacing Is Best For

This particular Pellon is a lightweight, single-sided, non-woven sew-in interfacing, 20 inches wide and sold in a convenient 3-yard package wound on a tidy little bolt. Its sweet spot is:

• Machine appliqué: It stabilizes appliqué shapes behind cotton quilting fabrics so stitches land cleanly without puckering.
• Hand appliqué: It gives your shapes just enough body to hold a turned edge while staying soft in hand.
• Template work: It pairs with Lori's Sew Simple Shapes templates and her specialty Bee in My Bonnet rulers, so cut pieces match her patterns exactly.
• Quilt sew-alongs: It was used throughout her Cozy Christmas Quilt sew-along with the Cozy Christmas fabric collection for Riley Blake Designs, so it's proven on the same fabrics you're sewing with.

How to Use It

1. Cut: Trace or measure your shape, then cut the interfacing to match — slightly smaller is fine if you want the edge to turn under freely.
2. Layer: Place the interfacing on the wrong side of your appliqué fabric and pin or baste it in place.
3. Stitch: Sew the shape to your background fabric by machine or hand, following your pattern's instructions. No iron-on step needed.
4. Finish: Care for your project by following the washing and drying instructions for the fabrics you used, since the interfacing itself carries no special care requirements.

A Quick Color-Pairing Tip

Because this interfacing is lightweight and single-sided, it adds body without dulling the print beneath it. Dark backgrounds stay vivid and light prints stay bright — which is exactly what you want when you're showcasing Riley Blake Designs fabrics like the Cozy Christmas collection.

Shop the Lori Holt Packaged Pellon 3 yds. at Linda's Electric Quilters.