Interfacings, fusibles and stabilisers comparison chart

Interfacings and stabilisers

Interfacings and stabilizers are used for adding stability, thickness, support, weight or rigidity to an item depending on how thick or stiff the original fabric is and what effect is required. Some are sewn in but the majority are fusible on one side or occasionally on both sides to make them easier to use.

The Cotton Patch Reference	Fabrication / Care	Usage	Equivalent to
Vilene Standard Sew-In Light 90cm wide Ref 743	100% Polyester. Washable in temperatures up to 95 °C or dry cleanable	Soft and easy interfacing, good for small pieces such as collars, cuffs, etc. on blouses and dresses. Suitable for seersucker, velvet, metallic and pile fabrics. Sew by hand or machine.	Pellon 30 – lightweight sew-in
Vilene Standard Sew-In Medium 90cm wide Ref 744	100% Polyester Washable in temperatures up to 95 °C or dry cleanable	Soft medium weight facing, universally usable for front parts of dresses, waistcoats, jackets and coats as well as collars, pockets, flaps, etc. Suitable for Corduroy, velvet, metallic fabrics. Sew by hand or machine.	Pellon 40 – midweight sew-in
Vilene Standard Sew-In Heavy 90cm wide Ref 9839	100% Polyester Washable in temperatures up to 95 °C or dry cleanable	Heavier handle sew-in interfacing, universally usable for crafts and jackets and coats as well as collars, pockets, flaps, etc. Suitable for wools, tweeds, gabardine and craft fabrics. Sew by hand or machine.	Pellon 50 – heavyweight sew-in
Vilene Ultrasoft Iron-on Soft White Ref 740	100% Polyester Washable in temperatures up to 40 °C or dry cleanable	Soft handle for light and delicate fabrics. Suitable for light cotton, polyester, wool, soft jacket weights. Sew by hand or machine.
Vilene Ultrasoft Iron-on Medium White Ref 741	100% Polyester Washable in temperatures up to 40 °C or dry cleanable	Medium soft handle for medium weight fabrics. Suitable for wool, blends, gabardine, linen and jacket weights. Sew by hand or machine.	Pellon #911FF Featherweight
Timtex – 22” wide Ref 9773	Machine wash or dry.	Firm, yet flexible interfacing-perfect for shaping into purses, bowls, and other 3-dimensional craft projects. • Easy to cut, mark & sew • Steam press to restore or set shape	Pellon Peltex #70 – sew-in firm
Vilene Heavy White Interlining 90cm wide Ref 9838	60% Polyester, 40% ZS Washable in temperatures up to 30 °C in the gentle cycle and dry cleanable.	Vilene Heavy Interlining is a firm interfacing which is ideally suited for pelmets and creative projects such as fabric postcards, collages, tiebacks, fabric painting bags, etc. Also known as Pelmet Vilene. Tip: To avoid bulk trim excess from seam allowances after stitching. If seam allowances are left in flatten them using top stitching if required. Easy to mark, cut, glue.	Pellon Peltex #70 – sew-in firm
Vilene Firm Fusible 90cm wide Ref 9842 or 9930	Wash flat in temperatures up to 40 °C in the gentle cycle or roll in a laundry bag. Dry cleanable.	Has a smooth, fabric look. Retains shape and is easy to iron-on. Vilene Firm Fusible is a firm pelmet interfacing for all widths and forms of pelmet. Also very suitable for bands, belts, bags, and creative handicrafts. It has the benefit of being flexible but firm. First iron the fabrics thoroughly with steam to avoid any shrinkage later. Allow the fabrics to dry completely. Place the interfacing with the coated side on the wrong side of the fabric. Then cover with a damp cloth and glide the iron over each area and press for about 15 seconds, without letting the iron move. Repeat until all fused. Remove pressing cloth and iron fabric to eliminate excess moisture. Allow item to cool before using. Iron setting: wool/cotton.	Pellon Peltex 520 Deco Fuse
Fast2Fuse Standard 14” x 18” Ref 9198	100% Polyester Washable in temperatures up to 95 degrees C or dry cleanable	Fast2Fuse is a double-sided, fusible interfacing so a separate fusible is not required. Standard Weight for fabric bowls, boxes, vases, purses and bags, hats, caps and art quilts. Fuse temporarily with a hot, dry iron for 5 seconds. Permanently fuse by ironing for 10 seconds on both sides with a hot steam iron.	Pellon Peltex #72 – double-sided fusible
Fast2Fuse Heavy Double-Sided 14” x 18” Pack Ref 9222	100% Polyester Washable in temperatures up to 95 degrees C or dry cleanable	Fast2Fuse is a double-sided, fusible interfacing so a separate fusible is not required. Heavy Weight for fabric bowls, boxes, vases, purses and bags, hats, caps and art quilts where more stability is required. Fuse temporarily with a hot, dry iron for 5 seconds. Permanently fuse by ironing for 10 seconds on both sides with a hot steam iron.	Pellon Peltex #72 – double-sided fusible
Vilene Fusible Ultra Heavy Ref 9845	Handwash and dry flat.	Very firm and compact interlining. For fabric bowls, cap peaks, bag bottoms, creative art and brooches. Will work with almost all fabrics. Does not crease easily – retains strength. Fusible on one side. Set iron to wool/cotton, press on firmly step by step using a damp pressing cloth until fused (about 15 secs depending on the fabric). Alternatively use a Teflon pressing sheet from the fabric side.	Pellon Peltex #72 – double-sided fusible
Vilene Woven Cotton Fusible Medium 90cm wide Ref 9840	Use a steam iron. Glide iron slowly over area to be fused around 6 times applying steam and pressure. 100% cotton	Lightweight woven cotton with fusible on one side. Can be used to stabilize many fabrics such as silk, velvets, taffeta, cotton lawn, etc to make them easier to work with. Adds body and stability to cotton fabrics and can be used as a backing for needlework and embroidery.	Pellon ShapeFlex Woven Fusible #SF-101

Fusibles and Glues

To evenly stick one fabric to another fabric fusible webs and glues can accomplish the task quickly and easily. Bondweb (otherwise known as WonderUnder or Vliesofix) is a fusible web whereas Heat ‘n Bond products are much more like a glue. Steam a Seam 2 can be sewn through and has the benefit of being able to be repositioned before finally fusing as the tackiness of the product temporarily holds in place.

The Cotton Patch Reference	Fabrication / Care	Usage	Equivalent to
Steam a Seam 2 12” wide Ref 511 Pack of 5 sheets 8 ½” x 11” Ref 7106	Once fused, Steam-A-Seam is washable and dry-cleanable.	An iron-on fusible. Both sides are sticky to allow you to position and reposition fabrics before finally ironing for a permanent hold. Unfinished edges won't lift or fray. If you choose to finish the edges you can sew through the pressed appliqué without gumming up your needle	Same product in USA
Steam a Seam 2 Lite Ref 8672 Pack of 5 sheets 8 ½” x 11”	Once fused, Steam-A-Seam is washable and dry-cleanable.	An iron-on fusible. Both sides are sticky to allow you to position and reposition fabrics before finally ironing for a permanent hold. The Lite version is half the weight of the regular version. Unfinished edges won't lift or fray. If you choose to finish the edges you can sew through the pressed appliqué without gumming up your needle. Ideal for lightweight or sheer fabrics, trims, lace, etc.	Same product in USA
Bondaweb 44cm wide Ref 735	Washable in temperatures up to 60 degrees C or dry cleanable.	With adhesive on both sides; for appliqués/fusing two fabrics together. Fuse the first fabric: Set iron to wool, iron on dry, glide iron slowly for 3-4 secs, let it cool down. Second fabric: Set iron to wool/cotton, press on firmly step for step for 10 secs using a damp cloth.	Pellon Wonder-Under #805
HeatnBond Ultra 17” wide Ref 774	Machine washable. Warm or cool wash.	Heat N' Bond Ultra is a very strong, paper-backed, iron-on adhesive designed for non sew clothing, craft and home dec projects. Perfect for crafts where sewing is not required after fusing. To temporarily hold lightly glide iron across paper side for 1-2 seconds. To permanently hold iron for 4-6 seconds. The ironing time may need to be increased for heavier materials or when using several layers of material. Not recommended for sewing – can gum up the needle.	Same product in USA
HeatnBond Lite 17” wide Ref 775	Machine washable. Warm or cool wash.	Heat N' Bond Lite is perfect for appliqué, quilts and attaching interfacing or hems. To temporarily hold lightly glide iron across paper side for 1-2 seconds. To permanently hold iron for 4-6 seconds. The ironing time may need to be increased for heavier materials or when using several layers of material.	Same product in USA

Waddings / Other Fillers

Certain waddings (battings) lend themselves to being used in bags and craft projects more than others. Fusible wadding is ideal because it can simply be ironed on to the reverse of the fabric. Wadding helps to give definition to a bag, support for the sides and has the benefit of being light in weight. Other fabrics that can be used include calico, fleece and canvas.

The Cotton Patch Reference	Fabrication / Care	Usage	Equivalent to
Vilene Iron-on Volume Low Loft Fleece Ref 9844	Washable in temperatures up to 40 °C on a gentle cycle or dry cleanable	Iron-on volume fleece quilts, clothing, bags, soft pelmets and tiebacks. Low loft – for a higher loft use Medium Loft. Place the wadding with the coated side on the wrong side of the fabric. Cover with a damp cloth and press each area for about 15 seconds, without pressing the iron too hard. Iron setting: Wool/Cotton. Allow the pieces to cool flat for about 30 minutes, so that the adhesive can set properly. Iron setting: Wool. We strongly recommend that you attach a small piece to a fabric remnant with your iron first to make sure that the hold and the adhesion meet your expectations.	Pellon #987F Fusible Fleece
Vilene Iron-on Fleece Medium Loft Ref 9841	Washable in temperatures up to 40 °C on a gently cycle or dry cleanable	Iron-on volume fleece for quilts, clothing, bags, soft pelmets and tiebacks. Medium loft – for a lower loft use Low Loft. Place the wadding with the coated side on the wrong side of the fabric. Cover with a damp cloth and press each area for about 15 seconds, without pressing the iron too hard. Iron setting: Wool/Cotton. Allow the pieces to cool flat for about 30 minutes, so that the adhesive can set properly. Iron setting: Wool. We strongly recommend that you attach a small piece to a fabric remnant with your iron first to make sure that the hold and the adhesion meet your expectations.	Pellon Fusible Thermolam Plus #TP971F
Vilene Thermolam Ref 760	Washable in temperatures up to 30 °C or dry cleanable	Volume Fleece ideal for quilting, very well suited for wall hangings, runners, table coverings and placemats. Use as for any wadding.	Pellon Thermolam Plus #TP970
Hobbs Heirloom Fusible Crib Size (60” x 45”) Ref 8403	Washable in cool water using a mild detergent (or Orvus paste). Dry flat. Can shrink by up to 3%.	A fusible version of Hobbs Heirloom Premium, an 80% cotton, 20% polyester wadding. The fusible version gives a temporary hold to both top and bottom fabrics – iron on a “cotton” setting. When washed it will be similar to Hobbs Heirloom Premium cotton.	Same product in USA
10oz Duck Cloth (canvas) 92cm (60”) wide Ref 9055	Wash as for cotton in cool water using a mild detergent. May shrink.	Use between the outer and inner of bags where the strength of the canvas will add durability and support to lighter weight (for example, dress weight or patchwork weight) fabrics. Also good for putting inside handles to add strength.	Same product in USA