do you iron your fabric onto the fusible web of choice and cut around the shape, having fusible on the entire piece?

I have seen people do this and there is tons of waste of the very costly fusible....so I have a question or two..

if you do it this way why??
If you don't do it this way WHY??

I find that I free hand draw my shapes most of the time and I use tiny bits of steam a seam that comes on a roll only 1/4" wide to fuse it down in NON-strategic areas so it does not interfere with my stitching.

Interesting in knowing the how's why's that others use for fusible web applique!

I draw my shape on the fusible, cut it out with a small margin all around, then fuse it and cut

I have been wondering how I could save on the amount of fusibles I use. There is so much waste. Now, with your experience, I shall do it your way!!! :thumbup: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I am wasteful - I draw it onto my piece of fusible, iron it to the fabric, then trim them both at the same time - it is much quicker doing it that way.

I go with Lady Tapioca. I do this not just to save on fusible but it also keeps the quilt top softer.

If the project piece is large enough, I cut out the center and just leave the fusible about 1/4 inch inside the drawn lines and less than 1/4 inch on the outside. After pressing it to the wrong side of the fabric, I cut it out on the drawn line, then press it to the background, then straight stitch or blanket stitch it in place. It keeps the center softer, but gives stability to the edge for sewing it down.

I leave a little extra and only fuse what I need. If the piece is large, I cut the center out and just fuse around the edge, then trim it back to the line. I prefer this way most of the time.

I use the steam a seam tape when I have straight lines. This is how I put my quilt labels on. Then I blanket stitch the edges...when I remember to do it prior to quilting that section. ;)

That's how I do it too.

I do it this way as well with one added item = if the applique is to be stitched down as well as fused, and if the piece is more than3 or 4 inches large/around, I cut out the middle of the fusible pattern before I fuse it to the back of the fabric - This leaves small pieces of fusible you can use for other projects and reduces the stiffness in the final project. When cutting it out I usually leave about a quarter inch inside the drawn edge.

I do it that way too. Less wastage that way even though you do lose a little nothing to worry about.