When I applique, I usually use wonder-under to fuse the shapes in place. I use the buttonhole stitch on my Bernina to keep the edges from lifting or I zigzag the edges. I do all the detail work before I make the "sandwich". My Bernina has a cute little circle that it stitches by itself that I use for eyes. It's between a 1/8 -1/4 inch size. It is actually for doing a finish for draw strings, maybe your machine has something similar? When the top is finished to my satisfaction, I make the sandwich, quilt it and bind it. You could use tiny buttons for eyes when your tablerunner is all done.