Choosing the right interfacing can make a huge difference to the finished result of a sewing project.

But if you've ever looked at the range of Vlieseline products and wondered "What's the difference between H250, G700 and B700?", you're certainly not alone.

All three are fusible interfacings, but they behave differently because they are designed for different purposes.

In this guide, we'll look at Vlieseline H250, G700 and B700, explain the differences between them and help you decide which one is right for your next sewing project.

H250, G700 or B700: What's the difference?

The simplest way to think about the three products is:

The most important difference is that H250 is non-woven, whereas G700 and B700 are woven interfacings.

That difference affects the way the interfacing feels, behaves and interacts with your fabric.

Vlieseline H250

Vlieseline H250 is a medium-weight, firm, non-woven fusible interfacing.

Rather than being made from woven fabric, non-woven interfacing is produced from fibres that are bonded together.

This gives H250 a distinctive feel and makes it particularly useful when you want to give fabric additional body, firmness and stability.

What is H250 good for?

H250 can be particularly useful for:

• Collars
• Cuffs
• Waistbands
• Belts
• Bags
• Pouches
• Craft projects
• Fabric accessories
• Projects where you want additional firmness

It's a good choice when your main objective is to make the fabric more stable or structured.

You can find Vlieseline H250 in the The Yorkshire Sewing Guy interfacing range.

When might H250 not be the best choice?

If you're making a lightweight garment where you want the fabric to retain as much of its original drape and movement as possible, H250 may provide more firmness than you actually need.

That's where a woven interfacing such as G700 can be preferable.

Vlieseline G700

Vlieseline G700 is a woven fusible interfacing made from cotton.

Because it is woven, it behaves more like fabric than a traditional non-woven interfacing.

This can make it an excellent choice when you want to add support and stability without making the fabric feel excessively stiff.

Vlieseline's current product range includes G700 as one of its woven iron-on interlinings.

What is G700 good for?

G700 is particularly useful for:

• Shirts
• Blouses
• Dresses
• Collars
• Cuffs
• Waistbands
• Lightweight to medium-weight garments
• Cotton fabrics
• General sewing projects where you want a natural fabric feel

It is also popular with bag makers and quilters who want a woven fusible interfacing rather than a non-woven alternative.

Why choose woven interfacing?

One of the main advantages of woven interfacing is that it has a grain and behaves more like the fabric to which it is applied.

That can give the finished project a more natural feel and help avoid the slightly papery or stiff feel that some non-woven interfacings can produce.

Vlieseline B700

Vlieseline B700 is another woven cotton fusible interfacing, but it has an important difference.

It is designed with biodegradability and end-of-life considerations in mind.

The B700 currently stocked by The Yorkshire Sewing Guy is a 90gsm, 100% cotton woven interfacing, 90cm wide, with a biodegradable adhesive. It is washable up to 30°C and uses an adhesive made from natural raw materials.

What is B700 good for?

B700 is particularly suited to:

• Shirts
• Blouses
• Dresses
• Lightweight garments
• Small garment pieces
• Projects where a woven interfacing is preferred
• Sewists looking for a more environmentally conscious option

Because B700 is woven cotton, it shares many of the characteristics that make G700 useful.

The big attraction is its biodegradable construction and adhesive.

G700 vs B700: Are they the same?

This is one of the questions you're likely to see more often as B700 becomes better known.

No — G700 and B700 aren't the same product.

They are both woven fusible interfacings, but B700 has been developed with biodegradable materials and adhesive in mind.

Think of them as similar types of product rather than identical products.

If you're following a sewing pattern that specifically recommends G700, don't automatically assume that B700 is an identical substitute. Instead, consider the fabric, the required level of support and the manufacturer's recommendations.

For a new project, it's always sensible to test the interfacing on a scrap of the actual fabric first.

H250 vs G700: Which one should you choose?

This is perhaps the easiest comparison.

Choose H250 if you want:

More firmness and structure.

H250 is non-woven and is a good choice when you want your fabric to become noticeably more stable.

Choose G700 if you want:

Support while retaining a more fabric-like feel.

Because G700 is woven cotton, it is often a better choice where maintaining the character and movement of the fabric is important.

H250 vs B700: Which one should you choose?

Again, the key question is what you're trying to achieve.

H250 is a non-woven interfacing designed to add firmness.

B700 is a woven cotton interfacing designed to provide support while retaining a fabric-like character, with the additional benefit of biodegradable construction.

So they're not really direct alternatives.

If you're making a structured bag, belt or craft project where you need firmness, H250 may be the better starting point.

If you're making a blouse, shirt or other garment where you want a woven interfacing, B700 may be more appropriate.

G700 vs B700: Which one should you choose?

This is the closest comparison of the three.

Both are woven cotton fusible interfacings.

If you're choosing between them, consider:

Choose G700 if you're following a pattern or application recommendation that specifies G700.

Choose B700 if you want a woven cotton interfacing with biodegradable properties and its specifications suit your project.

B700 isn't simply "better" because it is biodegradable. The right interfacing is always the one that works best with your particular fabric and project.

What about a G700 or SF101 equivalent?

If you've searched for G700 or Pellon SF101, you may also have come across equivalent woven cotton interfacings.

The Yorkshire Sewing Guy stocks its own 100% cotton woven fusible interfacing, designed as an economical alternative to products such as Vlieseline G700 and Pellon SF101.

The white version is available in ½ metre, 1 metre and 25 metre roll options, while a black version is also available.

Shop 100% Cotton Woven Fusible Interfacing – White

Shop 100% Cotton Woven Fusible Interfacing – Black

This can be a useful option if you want the characteristics of a woven cotton fusible interfacing without necessarily buying a branded product.

Which interfacing should I use?

Here's a quick guide:

This table is a starting point rather than a set of rules. Your fabric and the pattern manufacturer's recommendations should always come first.

Don't choose interfacing by weight alone

One of the biggest mistakes when buying interfacing is simply choosing the heaviest option because you think it will provide the most support.

More structure isn't always better.

The finished fabric needs to have the characteristics your project requires.

For example, putting a very firm interfacing onto a lightweight blouse could make the fabric feel stiff and unnatural.

Likewise, using a very lightweight interfacing on a structured bag may leave the finished bag lacking the stability you need.

The best interfacing is the one that provides the right amount of support for your fabric and project.

Always test your interfacing first

Whatever interfacing you choose, test it before applying it to your finished pieces.

Cut a small piece of your fabric and interfacing and follow the manufacturer's application instructions.

Check:

• How the fabric feels
• How much structure it adds
• Whether the adhesive bonds properly
• Whether the fabric puckers
• Whether the colour or appearance changes
• How it behaves after washing if appropriate

This takes a few minutes and can save you from ruining an entire project.

How should you apply fusible interfacing?

Different interfacings have different application instructions, so always follow the manufacturer's instructions for the specific product you're using.

For example, the B700 instructions recommend placing the coated side against the reverse of the fabric, covering it with a damp cloth and pressing section by section rather than moving the iron backwards and forwards. The fused pieces should then be left flat to cool and stabilise.

Your interfacing should generally be applied to the wrong side of the fabric, with the adhesive side facing the fabric.

And remember one very important rule:

Don't put the adhesive side directly against your iron.

So, which one should you buy?

If you're still unsure, start with the project rather than the product.

Need firmness and structure?

Try Vlieseline H250.

Want woven cotton support with a natural fabric feel?

Try Vlieseline G700.

Want woven cotton interfacing with biodegradable properties?

Consider Vlieseline B700.

And if you're looking for an economical woven cotton alternative to G700 or Pellon SF101, our own-brand 100% cotton woven fusible interfacing is another option worth considering.

There's no single "best" interfacing. The best choice depends on your fabric, your project and the finished result you're trying to achieve.

Shop Interfacing at The Yorkshire Sewing Guy

If you're looking for interfacing for your next sewing project, you can browse the full range of Vlieseline, Pellon and Yorkshire Sewing Guy interfacings and stabilisers.

Browse all Interfacings & Interlinings

We stock everything from lightweight woven fusibles through to firm and heavyweight stabilisers, with products available by the metre and selected products in larger rolls.

The Yorkshire Sewing Guy — quality sewing supplies at great Yorkshire prices.