Fusible Batting Tape:
Why You Need It and How to Use It

Fusible batting tape.

Be still my heart. What is it and why would you want to use it?

OK, so maybe you have read my article about Frankenbatts. If not, that's OK, it is part of what we are talking about here.

You guys all probably know that I quilt my own quilts, as well as hundreds of quilts for others AND chairity quilts. You might also probably know that when you're in the business of quilting for others, you end up with a lot of leftover batting scraps. If you are like me, you have random widths and length of leftover batting piling up on a shelf. Seems wasteful! That is, unless you don't waste it

Why I LOVE Fusible Batting Tape (FBT):

Recycle. Reuse. Reduce.

Just like my mom told me time and time again when you had leftovers on the plate - you know, about those kids in China starving or something. OK, I rarely had that problem as I had three older brothers who would steal the food off of your plate if you didn't eat it pretty quickly! The point is, we didn't waste anything. With Fusible Batting Tape, there's no more throwing away those small -but-perfectly-good pieces of batting.

Stop The Zig-Zag!

Have you been spending time zig-zag sewing batting pieces together. Fusible batting tape is smooth which means no mid-quilt lumpy areas, along with less sewing. You can usually make it work. No more panic moments when you realize your batting is like half an inch too short. We've all been there, am iright?

Patching Holes.

You can actually patch holes in batting without lumps or thick spots, for those times that your really cute and lovable dog/toddler decides a nibble of batting might make a nice mid-morning snack. Also, if your batting came scrim-free, it's more likely to pull apart and tear if it pulled on. (Read more about batting and scrim here.)

How to Use Fusible Batting Tape

    • Layer two pieces of batting
    • Cut through layers in a curving motion (as opposed to a straight line with a ruler)
    • Remove excess batting pieces
    • Place Fusible Batting Tape over the edges and press with hot iron
    • Layer your 2 pieces of batting slight on top of each other. Make sure your batting scraps are about the same loft (thickness) and weight (density). (Don't be mixing cotton/poly blends with all poly fibers)
    • Place small sections of Fusible Batting Tape, textured side down (this is the fusible side), over the cut edges.
    • Use your fingers to hold the pieces of batting together while you place a hot iron onto the FBT for a few seconds. Different brands have different requirements, so read the packge instructions on how long it needs to be under heat.
    • Repeat until your entire seam is secure. I like to do this on the floor** so I don't have to move the batting around and possibly get it out of place.

**NOTE: Just make sure you aren't messing up your floors with heat from your iron. After many years of doing this, I've yet to have a problem, but don't say I didn't warn you if you do. Be safe and test first.

My FBT Recommendation

I've actually used a few different brands of Fusible Batting Tape and have never had a problem with any of them. The one thing I do prefer, is the width of the fusible. My first roll was only 3/4" thick and I had to scrap it together more to cover my wavy cuts which were more than the 3/4". Wider is better.

Fusible Batting Tape

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