What Is Fusible Interlining and How Does It Work?

If you’re a fabric lover or even just a beginner learning to sew, you may have heard of fusible interlining. It’s one of the most revolutionary tools in sewing as it adds structure and stability to fabrics, ensuring that they don’t stretch out or lose their shape over time.

It also helps to give a smooth, luxurious feel to clothes and other textiles like curtains. It’s a great way to bring new life into old clothing as well as give a custom-made look to homemade garments. It’s even used in haute couture! But what exactly is it and how does it work?

There are a few different types of interlining available, and choosing the right one will depend on what you’re trying to achieve. For example, fusible weft insertion interlining is ideal for stretch fabrics and helps limit their stretching on both the cross and warp grain. This type of interlining doesn’t have to go through a resin finishing process and therefore doesn’t contain any formaldehyde.

Fusible sheer woven polyester, on the other hand, gives light support to delicate and lightweight fabrics like silk without changing their hang and drape. It’s also ideal for use behind embroidery. It’s firm so it can support the embroidery and create a thicker base for the design.

Another popular type of interlining is tricot. It’s made from a warp-knitted fabric as the base material and coated with PA or PES glue powder to form a thin layer of interlining. It can be attached to the fabric with a roller or flatbed machine. Flat-bed machines have a surface that’s kept flat so the interlining and the fabric are placed side by side, which makes it easier to get a neat finish.

This type of interlining is a great choice for light or medium-weight fabric. It’s a good option for adding stability to areas of the garment that need it such as the collar and cuffs of a shirt, or for adding a more structured finish to jackets and dresses. It can also be used to add insulation and keep the wearer warm.

Non-woven interlining, meanwhile, doesn’t have the same range of properties and thicknesses as woven interlining, but it can be useful for certain projects. For example, it can be used to provide support to the hems and closures of a dress or blouse and is often found in home furnishings as it helps improve energy efficiency in curtains by reducing heat transfer through windows.