Sewing question: What is the difference between fusible web, interfacing and stabilizer?

Question

They all seem so similar... thanks!

Answer 1

Fusible web is the kind of lightweight interfacing that has an ironing patch glue on the back of it.  Interfacing doesn't necessarily have that.  Stabilizer is the kind of interfacing that is usually a bit thicker and made for collars or belts.

Answer 2

Fuisble interfacing is not meant to be removedfrom the garment.  You iron it onto one side of the facing and then sew the facing into the garment.  Regular interfacing is the same thing, except that you do not iron it to the facing fabric first.

Stabilizer is a whole different world.  It is used for machine embroidery and comes in dozen of different types.  You chooses a very specific type to use, based on the type of project and the medium that is being embroidered.  The two are not interchangeable.  Denise

Answer 3

Fusible web is meant to glue two pieces of fabric together with the application of heat.  It's just adhesive, usually with a paper backing that's removed.  Examples: Steam a Seam, Wonder Under.

Interfacing is meant to support fabrics in areas where they need more stability, crispness, form, or to help prevent wear.  Interfacings can be sewn in (for instance, the canvas in the front of a man's suit), or fusible (the most commonly used today).  Fusible interfacings will have heat-melt glue on one side, and no adhesive on the other.  Examples: the fusibles I use for almost every garment (and I highly recommend!) http://www.fashionpatterns.com/interface...

and some sew-ins: http://www.baerfabrics.com/products.asp?...

Stabilizer is meant to keep fabrics from moving (and secondarily to support them) during operations like embroidery or beading.  You can get away with using some of the fusible interfacings for stabilizers that are meant to be left in the garment, but most uses are for stabilizers that will dissolve during cleaning or with the application of heat.  Starch, for instance, can be a temporary stabilizer for fabric -- if the fabric is washable, for instance, I'll almost always heavily starch the areas that will get buttonholes, because the buttonhole stitching is always perfect that way.  Wash the garment and it's no longer stiff.  Some hints on stabilizer use:

http://www.beaconfabric.com/vindex.html?...