The last couple of applique quilts I made, I used a lightweight stabilizer that is termed "cut away." I think it's designed for use in machine embroidery. Anyway, after completing the buttonhole stitching I just trimmed the stabilizer about a quarter inch away, and left it in. It isn't stiff and in the finished quilt you can't tell it's there, and it was a hundred percent easier than tearing away the other kind of stabilizer and picking out the little pieces.