Using Fusible Grid

Fusible grid interfacing is used by some quilters and not by others. I'm not sure if that's because they don't like it, or they don't know how to use it. It's great for piecing very small squares, even as small as one inch, into a quilted project.

My quilting spouse and I first learned to use fusible grid for making t-shirt quilts. Once the squares are cut from the t-shirts, it's easy to lay them out on the fusible grid. The benefits are that the t-shirts can be used "on point" and can always still be kept square and pleasing to the eye.

Going on from there, my quilting spouse decided to try cutting his own charm squares and, using a purchased bandana, surrounded it with eye-catching prints.

I could see that this "lazy approach" to on point was a great method and chose it for my granddaughter's Sunbonnet Sue baby quilt. The guidance of the grid allowed me to make and use my own sashing from the fabrics used in the quilt.

Click to learn more about the Sunbonnet Sue pattern.

Fusible grid is also wonderful for combining fabrics of different weights and types. This quilt called "Boots and Jeans" has cotton fabric, denim and leather.

I've also used the fusible grid to create a painting. The small pieces of fabric were fused onto the grid, using the lines as guides. After quilting, the "painting" was then mounted into a shadow box. When finished, there will be a row of shells in the bottom of the shadow box.

The saying goes that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Fusible grid helps with that also. The large tablecloth pictured here was hand embroidered with "chicken scratch" by my mother. When she dug it out years later, it was moth eaten, filled with holes, and no longer usable. We discussed turning it into a quilt with fusible interfacing.

Time has passed and I have finally decided to see what I can do with it. I have cut a square in each place where her embroidery is still intact.

Because the grid is fusible, it also helps with keeping the embroidery floss in place as I work it into a table runner and placemats.

As soon as I find the right red tulip fabric for the sashing, these will be passed to grandchildren as a memory project.

Can fusible grid interfacing help you create a memory?