You have received great help here from others, already. I use Steam a Seam 2 and a mixture it buttonhole stitch and zizzag depending on the piece and how I want it to look. When using the zigzag - I use a medium tear away stabilizer sold for Machine Embroidery. One other thing that I do - I use the Havel 7 in Serrated Applique scissors - the cut it clean and precise. The edge has no threads hanging out.