I use a lot of the water soluble stabilizer - so I keep the scraps. I don't iron them - I have licked the edges like a postage stamp and they stick together just fine or dip my finger in a bowl of water if I am putting a bunch together. Didn't know about the ironing trick. Some of the cut-away I will use a spray-on adhesive and just stick it on the back. will consider sewing the pieces together - it will be easier. The tear-away all depends on the size left - because I have started using a lot of the self sticking - I find that works best for t-shirts and sweatshirts to keep them from stretching and it would take too much and try to save it.