Friday, September 11, 2015

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-in1-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...

59 comments:

  1. I needed a quick costume so I went as a bag of garbage!

    What is your favorite sewing tool?

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  2. My favorite sewing tool is my quarter inch foot.

    What is your favorite sewing project? Mine is bags!

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  3. My favorite sewing projects seem to be BOMs lately!
    What is your favorite quilt block?

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  4. This Ohio girl loves an old fashioned Ohio star. What's your favorite color combo?

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  5. Favorite color combo- I'm currently loving navy and aqua together.
    Who is your favorite fabric designer?

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  6. my favorite fabric designer is Maria Kalinowski.
    What is your favorite? Paper Piecing or Regular Piecing?

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  7. I like both paper piecing and regular piecing. I guess I don't have a favorite. What is your favorite sewing tip?

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  8. My favorite tip when sewing - is to have all the right tools and all your supplies ready to go. It makes it much easier to finish up quickly when you don't have to be running around looking or buying "one more thing!!"
    Question: Does the inside of your garment or decor item - look as good as the outside?

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  9. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  10. Ha, no. I just try to make sure it's not an eyesore.
    Question: What finished item are you most proud of?

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  11. My cocoon cardigan! :D

    Question: Do you have a favorite brand of thread?

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  12. I like Floriana thread.
    Question:

    Is your next new project for you or for someone else?

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  13. It's for my Grandson: a Star Wars Quilt!

    QUESTION:
    Which Brand of Solids Fabric do you favor ?
    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  14. Hi there,
    I'm a Kona solids kind of girrrl!

    Question:
    What is your favourite solid colour for using in quilts?

    Thanks!
    Quilty Huggs,
    Jacqueline
    snausages22@yahoo.CA

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  15. That's easy PURPLE

    When did you learn to quilt?

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  16. I just started quilting last year!

    What is your favorite gift to make?

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  17. I love making quilts as gifts.

    Are you organized or disorganized when it comes to your creating space?

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  18. Wow - I love making zippy bags - looks like a great application for this product! :)

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  19. Well, Karen was last to ask a Question...so will answer her...if that is right way this game is done?

    I have to admit...my Sewing Space is disorganized..lol Tho does have semi' organized spots after my NC Daughter comes up & we spend time in there too! giggle...

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    Replies
    1. Was too fast to hit submit...soooo sorry! Forgot my Question! arrrrgh!

      What's your favorite snack when you're Sewing? (Mine is M&M's)

      Delete
  20. I will reply to Karen sine there is no question before me. I am disorganized. I have a small space with too much stuff and I not only sew I do papercrafts so I have a LOT of STUFF. Do you give away your creations, sell them or keep them?

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  21. My favorite snack is mint cookies. What was your last quilt project?

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  22. My last quilt project was a set of coasters.
    What's your favorite beverage for fall?

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  23. My last quilt project was a set of coasters.
    What's your favorite beverage for fall?

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  24. At fall football games I like to drink a mix of half hot chocolate, half coffee.
    Paper piecing -- fan or not?

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  25. I'm not a quilter but I do like to sew.

    Do you do any crafts besides sewing?

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  26. I do about everything except cross such and embroidery.
    Ridged potato chips or flat? (I love ruffles original but not wavy lays) ;)

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  27. I love them both, and now I'm hungry.
    What's your latest sewing/quilting/embroidery project that you're working on?

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  28. I'm working on a rail fence quilt for my son, an abc quilt for my grandbaby and hexies.
    What is your favorite pumpkin dessert?

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  29. Just good old pumpkin pie with whipped cream!

    What sewing skill do you want to learn next? I'm working on fitting.

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  30. Home grown, home made pumpkin pie from scratch! I make a fantastic pumpkin cheesecake, too!
    What sewing tool (besides your machine)can you absolutely not live without?

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  31. I couldn't live without my seam ripper.
    What state do you live in?

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  32. My rotary cutter and mat and rulers.

    What's your favorite dessert?

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  33. Love ironing as, now that I'm grown and mom doesn't critique it haha

    Have you ever been to Canada?

    erin2470@hotmail.com

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  34. No, I have only traveled inside the USA. I would love to see some of Canada, but my budget doesn't go that far.
    How far is the farthest you have gone to buy fabric?
    ebbtide45 at yahoo dot com

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  35. The farthest I've gone to buy fabric is 120 miles!
    Who is your favorite fabric designer?
    cwayons(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  36. Tula Pink is my favorite designer at the moment. What is your favorite online store to buy from?

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  37. Fabric.com How old were you when you began sewing?

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  38. I began hand sewing at age 5! What are you making now?

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  39. I began hand sewing at age 5! What are you making now?

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  40. I'm making a fall table runner for my sofa table. Do you finish your binding by hand or machine?

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  41. If I had to finish my binding by hand, they'd never get finished! Definitely machine stitched. Do you watch tv or listen to music or just enjoy the quiet while you quilt or craft?

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  42. I usually like it quiet as I work. It helps me think out the process. I'm a visual person so I would like to know if you prefer actual photos or illustrations when you buy your pattern?

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  43. I like to have actual photos to illustrate how something is to go together in a pattern. Having a visual that actually represents what I'm doing really works for me and there is less likely to be a confusion in an instruction when you can see just how it will look. Drawings are good, but an actual photo is great! When I'm working in my sewing room working on projects can be a bit messy and I like to clean between projects. Do you ever work on more than one project at a time and, if so, how do you keep them separated and organized?

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  44. I always have more than one project going at a time! I use scrap booking boxes to keep them seperate. What is your next project? Mine is Lizzy House's meadow quilt.

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  45. I can't wait to try out the single side fusible FF! to answer the question ahead of me...my next project is the Silver Cinema Bag by Sew Sweetness :-) Do you keep a project calendar so you know whats up next?

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  46. No, but I should! Have you ever made or altered a wedding dress?

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    Replies
    1. No alterations...Period!
      What's your favorite Applique Method....Hand or machine?

      Delete
  47. What a fun comment game And thanks for the review of the fusible foam. It sounds great! On to the questions - I love hand applique because it is so portable. Any tips for teaching a five-year-old how to sew?

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  48. We had a whole trunk of family costumes that got shifted from family member to family member. I was the youngest - loved the sheep and the dog costumes.

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  49. Just send me some I would love to try it out as well. thanks for the opportunity for a chance to win a bit of it.

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  50. and least I forgot I like use some of that plastic canvas and have them sew through the holes then mark your fabric with dots and have them sew from dot to dot and next make the dots closer. it is a start

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  51. The last question I see is asking for a tip on how to teach a five year old to sew. The person ahead of me has a nice answer, but no question, so I'll try the same question. :) Five seems quite young to me. Since I don't think they are usually given scissors sharp enough to cut fabríc, I would have some already cut shapes and some background squares. I would have the child choose the shapes and choose the background and tell me where he/she wanted each shape sewn. Eventually this would be made up as a doll quilt or wall hanging for the kid's room. I think this could be a stimulating activity in shapes, colors, and creativity. It also sounds like a fun activity for the sewist and child to have together. My question: If you could sew an outfit for any celebrity, who would it be for and what would it look like?

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  52. Hmmm... I would sew an outfit for Neil deGrass Tyson (does he count as a celebrity? lol) I would cross stitch one of my space cross stitches onto something for him and it would be glorious.

    My question - When did you start sewing?

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  53. I started sewing around the age of 7 or 8. I used to get the pattern books from JoAnn Fabrics, back when they were huge and in the back were drawings of the different pattern pieces. Those drawings of each pattern piece was the perfect size to use in making Barbie Doll clothes which is what I was doing.

    Question - which of the awesome projects on the blog tour do you think you'll make first?

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  54. I want to make the 1 hour bag now. Specifically, because it's useful and more importantly, it's supposed to take only 1 hour!!!!
    Question: Tell me your best clean joke!

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