Here is a link to some hints that might help you.

http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/techni...-tips_ss1.html

Believe it or not, I always use a piece of notebook paper or typing paper under mine and it works like a charm.

Perfect.... Thank you so much Pamelainsa. Pictures are worth a thousand words sometimes...especially for me. :) :) I dont know why I couldnt find this on my own :( but thanks :thumbup:

The stabilizer goes underneath the background fabric, next to the feed dogs. It does not even have to be secured to the background fabric; you can just place a piece of paper underneath your background fabric and sew. The Stitch and Ditch I recommended (if necessary, in addition to heavy starching) is very lightweight and will pull away easily from your stitches afterwards.

Instead of Heat n Bond, you might want to try MistyFuse (and there is another called I think Shade Fuse that is similar). Misty Fuse is a *very* soft fusible that does not add stiffness. It does not come with a paper backing, but that is not a problem as you can simply use a sheet of parchment paper to protect your iron, ironing board, etc. (Parchment paper is inexpensive and sold with other kitchen products such as freezer paper, aluminum foil, etc.). MistyFuse is available on Amazon and eBay; I have not seen it sold locally yet.

Fusibles
 

You can iron two pieces of parchment paper to the Misty Fuse and have a paper backed fusible which will be very soft and still trace or draw on the paper. You can also use the fusible paper backed and cut out the excess in the middle of the pieces before fusing (called windowing) see picture below. Usually the "ultra" weights are the heaviest and the most difficult to stitch through. Some even say on them not for sewing.

You need some stabilizer on the back of your fabric. In the past I have just used iron on interfacing for stabilizer but you may have to try different weights to get the right affect & help stop the puckering. Good luck. Hope this helps.

Great link, pamelainsa! Thank you for sharing! Wish I could figure out how to condense it and print it without all of the ads.......would be a great reference to have next to me while trying to get this right! :-)

Any problem with the coffee filters "linting-up" the machine?

For a first try, you did a great job on your satin stitch applique! It does take a lot of practice, and using stabilizer. I used to use typing paper, but now use examining table paper....just the right weight...heavier than tissue paper, but tears away easily. Another thing is to loosen your top tension a bit, that will bring more of the thread to the back of your piece and gives a smoother stitch. I have a Bernina, and my bobbin case has a hole in the finger of it which I put my thread through, that sort of tightens the bobbin thread a bit without having to touch the bobbin tension. Have fun! Usually once you are done if you press with some steam, the block will flatten out.

Thanks from me, too. Something I've wanted to try but was afraid to start.

Jenniky, I love your pinks and greens. Your granddaughter will also. Have a great weekend.
Di