So….
as I said in my last post in this series, I recently came across a new product (to me that is) called Decovil Light and since it came so highly recommended I thought I’d give it a try. I was told it would add additional body without stiffness but as it turns out, it wasn’t quite the experience I was promised or hoping for!
Let me explain…
Truth is… perhaps my expectations were a bit too high. Turns out that I likely applied the Decovil Light to an area of this design that was just not suitable. I first chose to apply it to the curved front pouch area, (and I actually liked the way it worked in this area). But it was when I applied it to BOTH of the Side Panels areas that I became disappointed with Decovil Light. It turned out that this was a BIG mistake!
As advertised, the Decovil Light DID in fact add more substance to these areas, BUT… it also added a degree of stiffness I wasn’t at all prepared to deal with! As a matter of fact, these pattern pieces became SO stiff that they were VERY difficult almost impossible to work with in the four curved areas of this design! And by almost impossible, I mean that these areas became SO inflexible & SO hard-to-work-with that my fingers were literally cramping up while trying to sew certain areas together. I thought I might just have to throw this sample out without finishing it! Believe me, I came close. As a matter of fact I started envisioning the frustrated ANGRY phone calls I’d be getting if I were to ever recommend Decovil Light for this project! YIKES!!!
Now maybe I just didn’t use the Decovil Light in the right way, or for the right design? Maybe it would work better for a larger project without the tight curves associated with this design.
Or maybe this pattern just didn’t need the extra added “oomph” that Decovil Light would provide…
All I know is that either way, this wasn’t a pleasant experience at all! If you look closely at the upper curved zipper area, you’ll see a few more “rippled areas” that are directly attributable to the Decovil Light!
Does this mean that I’m signing off permanently on the prospect of using this new material? The answer is an unqualified YES!… at least for now.
I’ll probably try it again on a different design, but never again on THIS particular design. I totally prefer a softer, less stiff profile. Maybe the Decovil Light would work better for a less structured design? I’d be willing to give it another try, so stay tuned for that but in the meantime, I think I’ll stick with my old standbys for this design… Soft & Stable by Annie & a fusible interfacing (we haven’t yet decided which one)!
So how about you?
Have YOU every had any experience with Decovil Light? If so, I’d be interested in knowing what type of project you used it for and some further info about how it worked out for YOU!
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I was also not a Decovil fan when I tried it, I’m generally a single sided fusible Bosal girl myself :o)
I can see where it might work really well for LARGE projects or specific bag patterns where stiffness is a goal, but it sure didnt work out for me when I used it on this particular project. 🙂
I prefer Decovil Light to foam. When cutting it out to cut the pattern piece smaller so that the Decovil isn’t in the seam allowance. One of your designs I’ve used it in is the Sling-a-Long. I also prefer Wovenfuse to SF101. It isn’t for everyone I suppose, my daughter in law doesn’t care for the feel that Decovil gives a bag, she said it feels plastic.
Interesting! I agree–return to ByAnnie’s Soft and Stable! Happy stitching!
And actually, I didnt use the Decovil as a substitute for the Soft & Stable for this project. I used it as a substitute for the usual interfacing and it was NOT a suitable substitute. I doubt I’ll stray from the Sift & Stable as the overall framework for our bags. I like the way it give SOFT structure. I guess thats what I prefer. 🙂
You are the wise one, Kat. 😊
I don’t always use soft and stable but just because I have a lot of scrim foam (sew foam) that I use in upholstery. I use your suggestions to reference the interfacing (stabilizer, sometimes) for cotton and then adjust depending on the fabric (or whatever I have in stock sometimes, 🤣). You are my mentor! 😘 your experience is very valuable.
You are too kind Don! And you KNOW I love the bags you make! 🙂
I love Decovil Light compared to foam. It gives nice structure, you just need to keep it out of the seam allowance. It fuses so nicely with heat, NO steam. I get mine from Barb’s Bags….Got Interfacing?
To each his own. I suppose some might prefer it as a substitute for the Soft & Stable, but in the case of this particular bag, I used it as a sub for the interfacing out in the side panel area. That I absolutely do NOT recommend. 🙂
I’ve not used this…so far…but have seen some great reviews. Haven’t decided if I wanted to spend the money to try it.
My question: did you cut it so it would be just inside the sewing line, or did you sew the DL into the seams?
I did not cut it so it would be outside the seams and I’m finding out that may have been my downfall. But cutting it INSIDE the seams seems such a pain in the XXX to me. 😀 Obviously this sentiment is not shared by all and thats OK! 🙂
JMO, but I hate foam with a passion. I hate having to wrestle it to get a bag together. But DL? I love using the stuff. It’s just a matter of knowing what interfacing to use when. I only use foam when it’s absolutely necessary, and even then, I find Soft & Stable and In-R-Form to be too frustrating. If I’m forced to use foam, I use headliner foam.
To each her own of course, but we only use foam sparingly and I really enjoy the additional body it provides. 🙂
I have been using Decovil light with my bags. But lately, I have been disappointed. After using the bag for awhile, it doesn’t have that crisp and stable look anymore. It sometimes wrinkles easily. Going back to foam. I like using Bosal and Annie’s Soft and Stable.
I havent been that impressed with Decovil so far myself. 🙂