I am making an applique mini quilt where I have ironed on the pieces to blocks. What I need to know is if I can just leave these pieces bare or do I have to sew them to the blocks? They are fussy cut and include a lot of leaves which are irregularly shaped. I tried the blanket stitch but it is too much for the little notches in the leaves. Would a straight fine stitch be appropriate? TIA for your help
Darlene :!: :!:

If you will not be washing the quilt AND if you used a good quality fusible web, you should be fine. The only fusible web product I like is Steam a Seam. Other brands seem to not hold as well.

A little fuzziness around the leaves just may look ok after straight stitching around them them, making them look a little more textured if they do fray a bit....then you could still blanket stitch around the other pieces if you wanted to.

you can also use a zig sag stitch ,if you plan on washing it ,ues that clear thread so you can ,t see your stitches in front

I did an applique the same as you and it was crazy! All the little in and outs of the outlines and what I did was exactly as you but, finished it off just using a matching thread w/a straight line stitch all around -just inside the outside edges of the shapes. And, it still looks great:)I gave it away as a gift and I wanted to make sure it would stay together. And, like you I'd prob still be doing an applique stitch had I gone that route:)Skeat

Just top stitch all the pieces and if possible use matching thread or invisible thread. I do a lot of applique and use this method all the time. Be sure to post pics too!

Straight stitching can be used on appliques. If you are good at free motion, some people even free motion straight stitch their applique edges (avoids having to turn the applique around all the time). I would consider using a fine thread -- maybe silk? -- for straight stitching.

Also, check your fusible instructions. It should say whether your fusible is permanent without stitching. A few types of fusible don't require stitching. Some of those that are really permanent may gum up your needle if you also try to sew through them. So, for safety, check your fusible before you do anything. If you don't still have the packaging but know what the brand name and type was (Steam-a-Seam, WonderUnder, HeatnBond Lite, etc.), post here and someone will be able to tell you if it's the permanent type that shouldn't be sewn through or whether it's the type that benefits from sewing. A few work either way (I think Steam-a-Seam is one of those.)

Thanks everybody for your help I used Lite HeatNBond and it apprears to be holding. I had to rip out some stitching and it still looks good.