Janis

If you would like to do hand applique, I find that cutting my applique pattern out of freezer paper to the finished size works for me. I have to reverse the design the way I do it, and then trace the design on the dull side of the freezer paper. Then cut out the design and iron onto the wrong side of the fabric. Cut it out with a 1/4 inch seam allowance around the freezer paper. Then hand press the seam allowance onto the FP. I then hand baste the seam allowance down on the applique.through the freezer paper. You can then press it all with an iron. When sewing the applique to the backing, you can take out the basting thread as you go along, or wait until almost done, and take the basting thread and the freezer paper out, and then finish the applique. This way works well if you have curves and want them to lay flat. I'm not that good at needle turn and this way works for me. I hope this helps. Oh yes, I also pin the applique to where I am going to sew it from the back of the project. That way the pins don't get in the way as much. I don't like using the tiny applique pins.