I hve had the best experience with Steam a Seam lite over most other brands for adhereing to a starched fabric. You can use a stabilzer on the background fabric to give the ridgeness to make the stitching smoother, and without puckers.
Stitch and tear is the stablizer I have had very good success with... I buy it by the bolt... FYI ..it will be on sale next week for 50 percent off at Joanns plus there is an extra 10 percent coupon.