I've taken a class from her before. The applique pieces are fused onto the background fabric leaving space between each piece (like stained glass quilts with using bias binding). Then each piece is stitched down using invisible thread. The only problem I have with her patterns is the number of pieces involved. She also used wonder under fusible which I have a hard time removing the back from but you can use any fusible you want or use glue. She does have some beautiful patterns.