Trouble Shooting and Fusing Problems

For various reasons poor fusing can be achieved e.g

  • Outer fabric
  • Sensitive to fusing
  • Hostile

  • Interlining
  • Incorrect adhesive type and / or configuration
  • Unsuitable material

  • Fusing Equipement
  • Poor control of fusing conditions


The following tale gives the list of various problems that can take place with fusible. These are normally caused by the outer fabric, interlining or fusing equipment and in some cases a combination of these controlling factors the tabulation below should server as a guide line when testing fabrics and provides possible causes and solution to these fusing problems.

Cause :
can be caused by too high temperature of pressure, or if the fusing time is too long

Solution :
1.Adjust and reduce where applicable temperature, pressure and dwell time.
2.Change the interlining to a more compatible variety. E.g small dots for fine fabrics consider MVA variety
Cause :
Excessive temperature

Solution :
Reduce temperature of fusing press. May be necessary to use MVA a adhesive of temperature as low as 120c required
Cause :
Excessive temperature

Solution :
Reduce temperature of fusing press. Use MVA adhesive if temperature for successful fusing is 120c. Care to be taken in hand ironing after garments is produced. Discoloration sometimes of permanent nature.
Cause :
1. Shrinkage rate between fusible and fabric is incomplete resulting in puckering etc.
2. Fusible too firm high and dominates fabrics

Solution :
1. Fuse at low temperature
2. Use softer interlining
Cause :
1. Can be caused by too high temperature or dwell time

Solution :
1. Lower fusing temperature
2. Decrease dwell time
3. Better result possible by cutting fusible in opposite direction to grain of fabric
Cause :
1. Insufficient pressure temperature or too short dwell time.
2. Incorrect dot size fabric finish

Solution :
1. Check pressure, temperature and dwell time. Ensure fuseline temperature achieved
2. Ensure dot size correct
3. Better result sometimes with fusing twice. If not, ask supplier to test
Cause :
1. Poor initial bonding
2. Exposure to steam / washing

Solution :
1. Check fusing conditions
2. Ensure good dot transfer to fabric and good initial bond strength. If delaminating caused by poor initial bond ad garment is made up. Use iron with firm downward pressure to restore the steam.
Cause :
Foreign particles or frayed edges of fabrics caught between fabric and interlining

Solution :
Ensure that interface is clean prior to fusing
Cause :
Foreign handling of fused laminate immediately after fusing

Solution :
Handle used part carefully and lay on flat surface until fused laminate is completely cool
Cause :
Fabric appears water-marked or striped due to alignment of adhesive dots with weave of fabric

Solution :
Use fusible interlining with printed dot. This is fabrics randomly printed interlining overcomes alignment with weave.
Cause :
Adhesive dot through on face of fabric

Solution :
Fuse at lower pressure and or temperature use interlining with finer dot pattern
Cause :
1. Fabric sensitive to heat
2. Incorrect interlining choice

Solution :
1. Fuse at mild fusing conditions and check for overusing
2. Use different interlining
Cause :
1. Fabric sensitive to heat and or steam

Solution :
1. Fuse under lower milder fusing conditions
2. Use lightweight interlining and cut in opposite direction to grain of fabric
Cause :
1. Inconsistent temperature and / or pressure
2. Excessive temperature
3. Excessive steaming

Solution :
1. Check temperature – ensure that glue line is achieved
2. Reduce temperature in order to achieve glue line
Cause :
Sensitive outer fabric e.g. velvet, corduroy, etc

Solution :
Fuse under mild fusing condition and devrease pressure
Cause :
Incorrect shade of interlining

Solution :
Use matching shade of interlining
Cause :
1. Static generated by nylon outer fabric
2. Poorly bounded fibers

Solution :
1. Use membrane between infill and fabric
2. Use correctly bounded material