i do fusible applique all the time- have been for years- all of my quilts are washed- sometimes often- you need to purchase the lite fusibles that are 'sew-able' and stitch your edges--- then when the quilt is washed the fusible washes away- so you do not have stiff areas of your quilt- ...there are heavy weight-no sew fusibles on the market- these do not need to be sewn- and remain stiff/hard for ever- often used in craft projects or wall hangings not meant to be laundered- I've used heat n bond lite (my favorite) , steam a seam lite and wonder under from pellon. I generally use a blanket stitch or small zigzag to stitch my appliques- once In a while a straight stitch- but that's more work- I have machine appliqued quilts out there made for kids, that have been used/abused/ laundered often for 10+ years- none have fallen apart. I love that the fusible (like elmers glue too) wash away- leaving a nice soft quilt behind
