Hey everyone. Today you're going to learn how to make a no-sew appliqué wall hanging from stretchy knit fabric, without the curling, shifting, and puckering that usually come with it.
First, the product itself
Let's start honest, y'all. This is not fabric. It's the helper that makes tricky fabric behave.
HeatnBond Soft Stretch Ultra is a NO SEW, lightweight iron-on web adhesive. It was specially designed to move with your stretch fabric while maintaining a strong bond.
This roll is 17 inches wide by 2 yards long — 43.18 cm x 1.83 m. That's plenty for a wall hanging, with some left over for the next project.
It is double-sided and permanent. There is no added bulk, and your fabric maintains a soft hand after fusing.
It is great to use with knits, stretch denim, spandex, and jersey fabrics. It also works with fleece and flannel. It is proudly made in the USA.
Here's what I use and why. Knit appliqué loves to curl at the edges. Pins make it shift and stretch out of shape. This web bonds the whole shape, edge to edge, so it stays where you put it.
No sewing is needed. You can sew through it if your project requires it. Completely up to you.
We're not reinventing the wheel here. Let the adhesive do the holding.
The project: a no-sew appliqué wall hanging
We're making a finished hanging about 18 inches wide by 24 inches long. A simple scene works great — three hills, a sun, maybe a little house. Big shapes, few pieces, super duper cute.
Why does this adhesive suit this project? A wall hanging needs to hang flat. A stiff fusible would make knit shapes boardy and crackly. Soft Stretch Ultra moves with the fabric instead.
Your shapes keep their soft hand. Your background stays flexible. The whole piece drapes instead of fighting you.
And if a corner ever lifts a little? That's okay, folks. It doesn't have to be perfect. You're your own worst critic, I promise. Take your time. It's not a race.
Materials
- HeatnBond Soft Stretch Ultra Iron-On Adhesive Roll, 17 in x 2 yds
- Background fabric — 1 piece of fleece or flannel, cut 18 x 24 inches
- Appliqué fabrics — jersey knit scraps in 3 to 4 colors, about 1/4 yard total
- Wooden dowel or stick, about 20 inches long, plus twine for hanging
- Iron, scissors, parchment paper or a pressing sheet, and a ruler
Brief steps
Here we go. Pre-wash all your materials without fabric softener. Press your fabrics flat before you start.
One: draw your shapes on the paper liner side of the adhesive. Keep shapes simple. Cut them out roughly, leaving a little margin.
Two: preheat your iron to high heat, no steam. Place the web on the wrong side of your knit, paper liner facing up.
Three: press and hold the iron on the paper liner for 5 seconds. Repeat until the whole shape is bonded. Let it cool completely.
Four: now cut each shape out on your drawn line. Peel off the paper liner. Just like that, your curling knit is stable.
Five: arrange the shapes on your background, adhesive side down. Nudge them until you smile. This is the fun part.
Six: with steam this time, press and hold for 20 seconds on each section. Work across the whole piece until every shape is bonded.
Seven: fold the top edge of the background over your dowel and fuse that fold the same way — 20 seconds per section with steam. Tie on your twine, and hang it up.
If I can do this, y'all can do this.
Practical tips
Pretest the adhesive on a scrap first. Every knit behaves a little differently. Two minutes now saves a headache later.
Never touch the iron directly to the adhesive. And don't iron directly on your ironing board. A pressing sheet protects both.
Slow down at the edges. Edges are where bonds fail. Give each edge its full 20 seconds.
Avoid repeated or excessive ironing after fusing. More heat is not more better here, folks.
Need to wash it someday? Machine wash cold on delicate, and tumble dry on low heat or no heat. It's dry cleanable, too.
One last thing. Bond your shapes before you trim them close. I learned that one the puckery way, so you don't have to.
Thanks for hanging out with me today, y'all. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the HeatnBond Soft Stretch Ultra Iron-On Adhesive Roll, 17 in x 2 yds at Linda's Electric Quilters.
