I find them easiest to handle with an iron on stabilizer to prevent stretch and the inevitable curling you get when you cut them. I too have used the cheapy .99 per yard JoAnne's one as well as the more expensive lightweight one by Pellon. Both are functional but the pellon seems to have a little more structure to it. I would not hesitate to use the Joanne one again though.
I suppose you could heavly starch and get away without doing stabilizer. I have done several. Here is a picture of one:
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I made it double sided. Here is the back (much more simple layout)
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