how do you use a wood burning tool for applique's? to remove thread? don't understand. hugs JoAnn

here is HOW to use it, ( WARNING wood burners and soldering irons work the same way as do hot knives, they all get hot enough to melt plastic and nylon and burn skin)
file the tip of a cheap soldering iron down to pencil point you can do this with a small file. or cut the head of a brass nail and insert that into the holder and screw down tight. keep some sand paper or wire wool handy to clean the tip as you work a clean tip gives clean work. you will need a wood surface to protect your table top make sure its smooth and clean and flat, you may also like to keep a small metal rule handy so you can run the tip along a nice straight line. plus a soda can to put the hot soldering iron into so you do not risk burning yourself if you do not have a proper holder for the iron. Turn on the soldering iron and let it heat up.
OK you are now redy to wor. the fabric the hot tip works best on is the nylon rayon mix type the sort that melts under your iron when you are pressing it too hot. Once hot the tip will cut like a knife sealing and cutting at the same time so no raw edges. if you can make a metal template from a opened out soda can then you can cut precise shapes with ease simply by laying the metal template down onto the fabric and running the tip around the edges.
if you use organza you can melt it back to the stitches I find the "hot knife" great for removeing those small wiskers that are sometimes left after an ITH item has been edged by the machine. just bring the hot tip close but not touching and the heat will shrivel those whiskers.
i hope this will help you. clean the tip often or you will end up with black toffee like stuff on yor work, simply wipe it over the wire wool and its clean.
annie in the uk

1 comment

by iris2006 14 Jun 2010

Thank you Anny for these instructions, I will try this.

I use my wood burning tool on ripstock nylon when making flags to hang outside. It leaves a very clean edge and seals it. I also use it cutting out the applique pieces for the flags. :-)

I have a company that sell hairbows and I use the burning tool for ribbon so it will have a clean edge but I have never use it in appliques, I would love to know how.

Glad you asked that question, I never heard of using one, I use it on the edges of my girls hair bows, but never thought to use it on appliques. Thanks everyone!

Use rayon thread on polyester organza for lace or applique. Running the tool around edges of the polyester will melt the fabric away leaving a clean edge. If you use polyester thread, it will melt away or burn leaving a dark brown edge.

1 comment

by haydebug 12 Jun 2010

Thanks

I've never heard of using a wood burning tool for applique. Applique is sewing a second fabric onto a base fabric. It must be for FSL. Welcome to the Cute family. Keep on asking questions.

The only thing I have used it for is when I do Lace on net, tulle or chiffon. It smoothes the edges by melting the threads in the medium I am using. I have also found a hot iron will do the same. You just run the design anainst the edge of the hot iron without picking the iron up, this is tricky & you can get burned if you are not careful. *

1 comment

by iris2006 14 Jun 2010

Good tip Lilian thank you for that.

I'd like to hear the answer to this, too.

I don't know for applique, but for FSL you just burned the excess threads with it, It may be the same for applique, I use Vilene when doing applique so I do not have lots of problems with it.****