Originally Posted by
juliasb
I learned the hard way that you do it first. You want your letters secure on all lines. Quilting first you could easily miss some of the lines of the applique.
I agree. I would definitely stitch the letters down I quilt. Otherwise, the fusible you're using could come loose and your letters be placed where you don't want them. if you stitch the appliqued letters first, you won't be revealing that stitching on the back side of the placemat -- I think that's previously been pointed out.