Interlining SV320...

I know interlining isn't that exciting a subject but whether you're making clothes, making bags and all kind of things in between, interlining can make a huge difference to your finished project, in terms of structure and craftsmanship. Plus, you’ll be so much more impressed with your handiwork.

These past few weeks I've kept coming across folk recommending Vilene SV320, as a’firm iron on’ that gives a nicer finish than some of the other ‘firm’ fusibles. So. I bought some for the shop so that I could try it out and see for myself.

Vilene SV320 is a white non-woven 90cm wide, 'firm' interlining that's fusible on one side and it's part of Vilene's 'Creative Range'. The manufacturers say that it's 'suitable for use with all fabrics' and ' good for bags, hat brims, fabric bowls and belts'

...waffle like texture of Vilene S320

Well, that's what they say but I wanted to see for myself. So I've tried it out.

A couple of pieces of fabric... an iron.... a couple of pieces of interlining... (and a plan for a new pouch)

...fabric plus iron and steam...

The instructions say to 'Set iron to wool/cotton – press on firmly step by step for 15 seconds., using a damp cloth'... So, I put the interling fusible side up (The fuisble side has a waffly kind of texture.), placed the fabric wrong side down against the interlining and pressed it using the steam setting on my iron (my new iron as the other one incinerated itself....!). You probably should use a cloth to prevent any of the fusible adhesive getting onto your iron and then despositing itself onto the next article you iron. (Wonder how I know that ?)

Although these aren't huge pieces of fabric (7 inches by 11 inches), it's easy to see how good this would be for bags and hats.... It readily fuses to fabric and although it gives the fabric a lot of structure (this is a quilt weight fabric from Erin McMorris' Park Slope) it doesn't make it cardboard like. It still retains that fabric softness... it stays pliable, not at all 'crispy' in fact it feels a lot more like a 'home decor' weight fabric. Nor did I encounter any issues of 'bubbling' where the fusible doesn't quite stick, which I know some folk get occasionally when they apply other firm iron on's.

Adheres really well to the fabric...