Check Out Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 Fusible Web Review
It’s time for a quilting review of Lite Steam-a-Seam 2! I’ve been playing with fusible applique a lot lately and this particular fusible web has helped me make many beautiful quilts. In this post I hope to share some tips for using Lite Steam-a-Seam 2 so hopefully you can avoid making some of the mistakes I’ve made.
Check out the parts of this quilting review and jump ahead as needed!
The Purpose of Fusible Web
Fusible web is a special glue, thinly extruded and sandwiched between two pieces of very special paper. It’s not like glue in a bottle – it’s completely dry and only sticks and “fuses” things when heat is applied.
The purpose of fusible web is to create a strong bond between fabrics. This allows you to make beautiful applique quilts using a technique called Fusible Applique. I’ve just recently updated this tutorial on How to Applique a Quilt if you’d like to see this process step-by-step.
I mention the special glue and special paper for a reason. Several years ago we couldn’t get Lite Steam-a-Seam 2 because the supplier for the special paper used in this product closed and The Warm Company, which makes Steam-a-Seam and batting, had to search to find an alternative.
No worries about this now! They were able to fix the problem and quilters once again have an awesome material to use for applique.
My Favorite Tools for Fusible Applique
I have carried Lite Steam-a-Seam 2 in my quilt shop for years – I love it that much! Here are a few tools and supplies I use for fusible applique:
Two Sheets and Double Stick Key
Some fusible webbing comes with only one sheet of paper. In that case the glue is dry enough to adhere to the paper without sticking to itself.
Lite Steam-a-Seam 2 comes sandwiched between two sheets of paper. The reason is it’s slightly sticky – the glue is very slightly active and ready to bond to your fabric and stick your appliques in place.
Personally I like this! I like that when I peel off one side of the fusible web, the glue that is exposed is sticky and ready to adhere to my fabric. I found with other “dryer” fusible webs, I would press too long for the initial fuse and then end up burning up all the glue with the second fuse.
Yes, You Can Over-Fuse!
This brings up a good point – it is possible to misuse fusible web materials. I made many mistakes in my applique quilts and had a lot of frustration in the beginning. One issue was what I just mentioned – pressing too long.
When I initially stuck the fusible web to my fabric, then once I had my applique cut out, it wouldn’t stick to the background fabric. It wouldn’t stick to anything! The glue had dried up because it had been over-fused.
So this is another thing I really like about Lite Steam-a-Seam 2 – it’s already a little sticky. I like this because it allows me to place each piece and fiddle with the layout even when the quilt is up on my design wall.
Because it secures so nicely to my fabric with a light press, I’m less likely to clobber it with my iron. Then when I have my applique shapes cut and ready to secure, the second piece of paper peels off and it sticks and secures beautifully!
How to Use Lite Steam-a-Seam 2 Fusible Web
I’ve used this fusible web for years in a few different ways. Here are the official directions on how to use it from the back of the Steam-a-Seam package:
- Trace appliqué design in reverse on one paper side (one side is designed to come away easier than the other. Trace on the side that sticks better to the fusible webbing.
- Stick the sheet of steam-a-seam 2 lite to the wrong side of your material, pressing for 2-5 seconds with a hot, dry iron.
- Cut out fabric and fusible together along the traced line.
- Peel off the remaining paper and position the applique on your project.
- Press for 10-20 seconds with steam on the cotton setting. Increase fusing for lower heat. Reheat if necessary.
It’s important to follow the directions when using a fusible web. In this case steam heat is really necessary to get the proper bond between the glue and the fabric.
BUT I can say from personal experience that I rarely use a steam iron and Lite Steam-a-Seam 2 still bonds really nicely to my quilts.
When fusing the flowers on my baby quilt, I first fused from the top, then flipped the whole quilt over and pressed it again from the back. This ensures all the shapes will stay in place while I machine applique them down.
Use Lite Steam-a-Seam 2 with a Die Cutter or Cricut / Silhouette Cutter
When cutting appliques using either a Accu Quilt die cutter or a Cricut / Silhouette Cutter, you can skip the step of tracing the applique design onto the fusible web. This is a much bigger time saver than you might think.
Follow the steps to secure the fusible web to your fabric, then place it in your cutter, leaving the second sheet of paper in place. Cut the design by rolling it through the machine in the case of the Accu Quilt Go! or design and send the design to your Cricut fabric cutter.
One feature I love with Lite Steam-a-Seam 2 fusible web is the ability to run it through my inkjet printer. You can print designs directly onto the fusible web rather than having to hand trace each shape. This is what I did for the Eternal Love Goddess wall hanging and it really sped up the process!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this quilting review of Lite Steam-a-Seam 2 fusible web. I’ve been using this for years, in multiple quilts. If you’d like to learn more about Steam a Seam 2 Lite, please click here for more information.
Let’s go quilt!
Leah Day
Leah,
Do you ever have problems when trying to free motion quilt through SaS2? I've recently had a problem with a project that I thought would go fine with this great fusible web.
I tried every needle I owned. I was using aurifil thread on my PQ1500 which I have used with great results for years.
I finally got it to work with only limited breakage and no dropped stitches after buying some special blue-tipped Janome needle at my local sewing machine dealer.
Thanks!
I also prefer the SaS2 Lite, rather than the original. I found it doesn't clog up my needles so much when doing hand embroidery. Will be trying it on the machine soon for machine applique…
Have you tried Misty Fuse? It is a light fusible that you can sew through with ease even with many layers. I love it!
Yes! I am also having a lot of trouble quilting through this web. My machine is really unhappy. Skipping stitches and sounding awful! Any suggestions?
My machine also had problems with getting gummed up. Many skipped stitches.
My Janome Horizon 7700 QCP is skipping stitches with just one layer of steam a seam II Lite. I panicked because I bought this machine used and thought there was something wrong with the machine as my old machine didn't seem to have this problem much. I think I'll have to try a Janome Blue Tip and maybe switch to Misty Fuse. Trial and error.
Same problem. When I free motion over ss2 lite my needles keep breaking. Tried every needle possible. Aggravated.
First time using Seam a Seam 2 … parts of the backing are coming off, but some sections aren’t releasing from the fabric. Any ideas or do I just need to re-do. Not sure if I over-heated part??? Is it better to fuse the “white” side and then remove the grid side or does it matter?
I would try again with less heat. From what it sounds like the paper is adhearing too much to the fusible web. Whichever paper comes off easier is usually the paper I will peel off first and mark or print the design on the less-easy-to-remove side. I hope that makes sense!