Pellon FUSIBLE Flex Foam

Update:  giveaway is now closed, thanks to everybody for playing along! 

Yes, you read that right. Fusible.  Flex Foam.

I was lucky enough to be able to test it out, and let me tell you, it's amazing.  I'll admit, I had my reservations.  I was worried that it wouldn't fuse well, or wouldn't stay fused, or would be horrible wrinkly, but I am so, so happy with it.

First the details, direct from Pellon:

Pellon® Flex-Foam™ is a lightweight stabilizer consisting of a layer of foam sandwiched between two layers of soft fabric. It is excellent for use in crafts, accessories, and home décor projects for an elegant finished look. It can be used in place of or in addition to other stabilizers. Flex-Foam is a breeze to sew through and adds shape and body to projects such as computer cases, eyeglass cases, purses, tote bags, cup holders, diaper bags, and more! It is compatible with a wide variety of fabrics. It is available as a sew-in, a 1-sided fusible or a 2-sided fusible. Available 20” on the board and 60” on the roll*. 

*60” roll isn’t as readily available as the board at the moment, but that should change soon!

Flex Foam is available in three varieties: sew-in, 1-sided fusible, and 2-sided fusible.  I have used the sew-in previously (as well as other brands of sew-in foam interfacing), and while I love the stability it gives a project, I always have issues getting it basted well enough so it's not saggy or have puckers.  I know some people have used Wonder Under to fuse foam interfacings & I have considered using a spray baste to attach it, but having it all in one product is awesome.  I tried out the 1-sided fusible, and let me tell you, it fuses perfectly.  Just as well, if not better than Shape Flex, which is really saying something.

I'm working on testing out a pattern for Sara at Sew Sweetness, her new Filigree Double Zip Pouch (pattern out later this month), and even after having to turn one of them inside & rightside out at least 3 times (user error, I assure you, not a problem with the pattern), my fabric stayed fused to the Flex Foam.  It does crease & wrinkle a bit as you work with it to sew, but a quick hit with the iron when you're done gets everything nice & smooth again.

For one of the pouches, I decided to do some straight line quilting, but forgot to cut my pieces larger than the pattern pieces first, but decided to quilt it anyways & if needed I would just go down a size.  Because the fabric was fused to the Flex Foam & the foam doesn't shift, my pattern pieces weren't warped at all once I was done.

One tip, I suggest cutting your fabric & pieces of foam slightly larger than your pattern piece, then cutting the exact pattern piece once they are fused.  The Flex Foam fuses so well you're not going to want it sticking to your iron or pressing cloth, and like all foams, it's a bit difficult to trim off small amounts because of the thickness.  It's not impossible, but I did find it easier to either leave my fabric larger & trim to match the Flex Foam pattern piece, or leave them both larger & cut them out together afterwards.

My one & only complaint is that there is a slight chemical smell, especially when you are ironing to fuse it.  It seems to have something to do with the fusible adhesive, my non-fusible Flex Foam is completely odorless.  Honestly, it was a bit annoying at first, but I've gotten used to it and it fades after a while, so it definitely won't stop me from using it in the future.

All in all, I can 100% recommend the new Flex Foam & truly hope you love it as much as I do.  Want a chance to try it out for yourself?  Comment here for a chance to win a yard each of each variety of Flex Foam -  sew-in, 1-sided fusible, and 2-sided fusible.  One random winner (sorry, US & Canada residents only) will be drawn next Wednesday, September 15.  We'll play my favorite comment game to enter - your comment must answer the question before you (I'll give the first one), then ask a question for the next person.  You may enter as many times as you like, but can't ask & answer your own questions.  Remember, you're answering the question of the commenter before you & be sure to check to make sure you're at the end of the comments once it goes past 1 page. :)

For the first comment - what was your favorite childhood Halloween costume?

Make sure you check out what everybody else has to say about the new Pellon Fusible Flexfoam:
9/8 – Pellon
9/8 – Swoon Sewing Patterns
9/9 – Mommy’s Nap Time
9/10 – Cut to Pieces
9/11 – My Crafty Crap
9/13 – Pellon
9/14 – Baby Rozen Design
9/15 – Sew Sweetness
9/16 –  Love to Color My World
9/17 – Anjeanette Klinder
9/18 – Pellon

Until next time...