I use appliqué scissors to trim around the fabric after my embroidery machine has tacked down the shape. The edge is then close to the stitching so the satin stitching will cover all the raw edges. Are you using for machine appliqué? For whet I think you are describing, can you not cut a little slit and ease the scissors in? They are really good for not cutting the fabric underneath the duckbill blade. Maybe you just need some practice.