fusible appliques have to be stitched down- along any edges that are not covered by another piece or when laundered the edges will come up- because the fusible washes away. generally fusible applique is a machine applique method (the fusibles are often difficult to stitch through by hand. hand applique is usually done without a fusible- the edges are turned under (needle turn applique) and stitched down. if you are having luck hand stitching that's a good thing- just make sure you stitch down all *outside* edges