I just watched the video and you rip out the paper after you sew your piece on. it shows cutting away a piece behind the appliqued piece and pulling the paper out.

Once you have sewn your piece on, you cut away the back of the fabric, inside the seams of course, and pull the paper out. That's how we were taught in class using freezer paper.

Hope that helps.

I watched the tutorial just now and at the end, after appliqueing the piece by hand or machine, she turned it over and cut a small piece out of the back fabric. Then she pulled the paper piece out. This was at the very end of the tutorial.

I have been working on an applique project. I'm using a blanket stitch, and the freezer paper was extremely difficult to remove. I would only use freezer paper if I'm doing satin stitch or some other very short stitch.

This is what I do too, but I stitch most of the way around the appliqued piece, and when I have about 4 to 5 more stitches left to do, I use a pair of hemostats and loosen the freezer paper from the applique, then grab the paper with the hemostats and just pull it out. Almost like using forceps for birthing... :| I really don't like to cut the back out behind the appliqued piece, unless I have several layers being appliqued one on top of another and it gets too bulky.

I use freezer paper to do hand applique all of the time. It is my favorite method. I cut the freezer paper template, iron it on the back of the fabric. Cut around the template, leaving a scant 1/4 inch seam allowance. I use my needle to turn under the seam allowance and start stiching. I gives me a crisp, smooth edge to stitch. When I get about an inch from where I started, I take tweesers and loosen the freezer paper from the fabric after I have finger pressed under the seam allowance. I remove the freezer paper and continue stitching on the finger pressed line. I have taken a number of classes on hand applique but I always seem to go back to this method. I haven't done machine applique yet; but since I have a new "sewing computer", I am anxious to try it. I will most likely use some type of fusible web under the fabric when I get around to doing the machine version.

I am just beginning to REALLY use applique - I have done machine applique in the past and love the one sided fusible webbing - sew right sides together, small slit in the webbing and turn it right side out - iron it on and sew around. I have used freezer paper one other time but look forward to using it again - outlining the pattern and cutting 1/4 inch larger and folding under. I do like the thought of pulling it out rather than slitting the fabric... thanks so much for all methods!! This is very helpful!

This makes sense to me !! :)> I will try it this wway thanks.