Fusible Products – Could they Harm your Quilt Art?*
Research by the Canadian Conservation Institute and U. Nebraska- Lincoln has been published about the long term effects adhesive containing products may have on paper and fabric art work.
To assist artists in making informed choices when purchasing fusible products, Janet Evenson and Patricia Cox-Crews, U Nebraska – Lincoln, have published findings about fusible sprays, webs and battings. They wanted to know how these products discolor and degrade over time since apparently there are no published results concerning the long-term performance of adhesive-containing products available to quilt makers and home sewers..
Infrared spectroscopy was employed to determine the chemical classification of the adhesive sprays. Fusible batting adhesives were identified by proton nuclear magnetic resonance.
The goal was to identify discoloration, yellowing, strength loss, bleed through, stiffening and color changes other than yellow. Various methods to accelerate aging were used.
Major brands of fusible products were studied. Since there are many variables involved in research of this nature, control samples were prepared for comparison. As different products have differing chemical properties, and product formulae do change over time, comparing different brands of fusible sprays for example, can only be stated as “this product developed more stiffening than that”. In other words, there can be no exact comparisons between 2 brands performing the same function, merely in relation to each other. One brand may become stiffer, or cause more yellowing, or lose strength sooner. In several cases, percentages of degradation are given for these comparisons, making the information more relevant.
It is reassuring to read in the report that fusible batting products do not appear to deteriorate or cause deterioration in quilts. “The fusible batting adhesive formulations may contain cellulose ethers. Cellulose ether-based adhesives are quite stable to light and have been used for long-term conservation treatments.” The results for fusible sprays and webs are more disturbing.
Read the complete article, its methodology, findings and conclusions. (A PDF document)
“The fusible webs evaluated, while acceptable for quilts intended to last for 10 to 20 years, could not be recommended for quilts intended to be handed down from generation to generation or for studio art quilts intended for sale to serious collectors or museums. A museum curator or knowledgeable collector will not want to pay thousands of dollars for a quilt that only has a lifespan of 20 years.
Quiltmakers should carefully consider their long term expectations for each quilt they make and select adhesive- containing products accordingly.
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided for this research by the International Quilt Association and Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine.” (quoted excerpts from the published study)
*Research continues on discoloring and degradation of fusible sprays, webs and batting.
This article was posted in 2009 but somehow has “disappeared” from this blog.
