Hi, don't have a camera right now but have 2 questions. I am doing a (kind of large) applique and am finding the steam a seam quite rigid, will it soften up after a wash? Also, it is all meander quilted around the applique but there is about a 12-15 inch area (the applique) with no quilting (used warm & natual batting). Can/should I meander quilt in the applique area and if I can, will it soften that area up? Hope somebody understands this?!

There are several types of steam a seam. Some will have a lighter feel to the applique area than others.
Steam a seam light will make it less stiff feeling. :D:D:D

I don't think it'll soften up. I use steam a seam lite. I used the regular once and my machine hated it so I quit and threw the piece in the trash. Luckily it was just a test type thing that I was going to use if it turned out ok.

I also use the Lite...and remember that you can make it even softer on large appliques by cutting out the inside of the fusible shape before you iron it on...that way it's like you're putting on a frame of fusible for your picture and the center has nothing. To do it, draw the shape on the paper then rough cut a circle or shape out of the middle about half inch inside the line. You can save what you cut out for other small appliques. saves fusible as well as making it softer

I use Steam-a-Seam 2 for my buttonhole applique. I trim the fusible inside the drawn line about 1/4" and outside the line about 1/4" before I iron to the wrong side of my fabric. Then I cut the fabric on the drawn line, so my edges are sealed to prevent fraying.

Darn it all, wish I had asked before it got it almost finished! That makes so much sense now to just use the fusible as a frame and also to seal the edges, like Sherry does! Thank you all, will finish putting the binding on & get a picture but I am thinking it might make a better wall hanging than a baby quilt (it is pretty cute, really)and it isn't stiff as a board, just not that cuddly

The method of cutting out the center of larger pieces works great! Also, Lite Steam-a-Seam 2 will be a little softer feeling. If you have to use solid pieces on smaller ones, that would give you better results.

Can't wait to see your quilt!

About the quilting. I would never leave a 12 to 15 inch area unquilted. You stand a chance of the batting bunching up on you when it's washed. Pick a pretty design that goes along with the theme of your quilt and put it in there. Or even some thing really simple. The bag that your batting was in should tell you how big of an area you can leave unquilted but I always heard that rule of thumb is no bigger than your fist. In other words 3-4 inches square. However some of the newer battings say that you can leave larger areas unquilted. If you no longer have the bag go to the manufactures web site, you should be able to find out there.

I use steam-a-seam 2 and like it. When I have to deal with a large area, I cut the interfacing so only a relatively thin outline will be pressed onto the fabric, leaving the center part of the applique nice a loose and ready for whatever quilting (or embellishments) I like. I would not leave a large area unsupported either, but sometimes, I add buttons and other "non-quilty" methods.

I agree with raptureready and madquilter about quilting the area. In addition to the option ratureready gave you can also echoquilt the applique to make it stand out..