There was a long discussion about this a couple of months ago. I use the dryer sheets after they have gone through a load. They are a little stronger than other stuff, but no cost, and work fine. Some people were concerned about spots from the fabric softener, but I have never had that happen, and if you are washing the quilt, any possible residue will be gone. If you trim the fusible web away from the middle of your shape before pressing the rough cut shape to your fabric, you won't have the stiffness mentioned before.