Hi Penny,
These are general instructions that I use for EMB quilts. Hoop No Show Mesh in your EMB hoop. There are many different vendors and I generally buy a roll of 25 or 50 yards at a time as it is cheaper. It is my go to for quilts, baby books, projects, etc.
The design will stitch a placement line for batting. I have used Warm n Natural and also Dream Poly. Cut the batting ONE inch larger than placement line. Stitch it down and trim along the placement line. Then you will add the background fabric and stitch down.
Some designs are made to do both steps at the same time. I like to trim the batting to keep it out of the seam lines.
The other option is add a thin sheer layer to the applique fabrics and/or the background fabric. It's an iron on product.
You really need to stabilize well to prevent puckers in the stitch out.
I also use a water-soluble topping sometimes to keep the stitches from sinking into the fabric.
Yes, some want to skimp on stabilizer but I consider it a little bit of extra help.
If you check here and look under "projects" there are helpful tips for stabilizing.
http://www.emblibrary.com/EL/default.aspx#
Another help is this work book.
http://www.rnkdistributing.com/resou...Stabilizer.pdf
Some of the major designers have helpful tutorials included in their design instructions.
I also trim out the NSM along the seam line and stitch together using the background fabric. Quilts are seamed with a HALF-INCH seam allowance for these EMB quilts.
Hope that helps! Good Luck!