Laura - your quilt is sooooo cute! I love it. I will have to show it to a friend that loves Halloween quilts.
You asked about an alternative to Heat 'n Bond. I, like you, have used Steam A Seam and did not like it - I have gone back to Heat 'n Bond.
But, I visited a quilt show two weeks ago and sat in on a demonstration for Mistyfuse. I had never heard of it, although the demonstrator said it has been around for some time. I was impressed with the product - and of course, walked out of the show with several packets of Mistyfuse. It is so lightweight it hardly feels like there is any fusing on the backside of the applique. Have not had time yet to actually use it in a project.
It is an ultra-fine webbing that won't gum up your needles and reduces bulk. You might try it - I would think any LQS would know about it.
Happy Halloween!