I've done quite a bit of machine appliqué. I use the 2-sided bond that you iron on. You draw your pattern on the paper side, do a rough cut, iron it to your material, cut the pattern out and then iron it in place on your block. That way you can iron several layer in place at the same time and you never have to worry about slippage.

Which works well in my little world!! :D :D

Your question brings to mind another question. I'm starting a project that has a piece appliqued to each block center, I want to avoid the stiffness I get with wonder under or other fusibles, has anyone used the spray to fuse and does it work as well or is that stiff too??

I have used tissue paper even when using iron on stabilizer if I am going to be doing blanket stitch or satin stitch. No matter how loose the tension, those stitches tend to pucker my background fabric unless I use something under it.

It depends on the stitch you are using, too. For satin stitches, I always use a good sturdy tearaway. With a blanket type stitch, you can get away with a lighter interfacing. Any time I use embroidery stitches, I like to have interfacing behind them.

I press a few coffee filters flat and use them. They work great and tear off. It's not like reg paper because of the fiber :D

Ruth, that is a another smart idea!!:))Thanks for that tidbit too:))Skeat

I've used invisible thread in both the top and bobbin without any problems. With the machine that is. The problem is with the eyes, after all, it is invisible.

After a horrible experience not using stabilizer on a project I learned my lesson and use it every time.

Just doing some practicing on satin stitching before I attempt it on my table runner and I tried the coffee filter........what a great idea......thanks so much for sharing!!
Barb

I am new to machine applique and this may sound like a stupid question. How do you attach the coffee filter/tissue paper as a stabilizer to the background fabric? I am using Wonder Under for my applique pieces and plan to use a satin or dense zig zag stitch.