I'll add what I just learned today. I had accidently got Heat 'n Bond Lite fusible onto the top-side of my applique background and paniced out. I asked this board for help and several came to my rescue. The first suggestion I tried worked.

I put my iron on scorching hot with steam on...held slightly above the spot and shot it with the steam for a few seconds. Then I quickly applied a cloth to the top and steam-ironed back and forth several times shooting the steam. I did the same thing 3 times and by the third time it was all gone.

Needless to say I am very grateful to those that tried to help me and especially to the one that thought of doing it this way.

Hope this helps if you are every as careless as I was.

I am going to subcribe to this thread. I would like to try applique and need all the help I can get.

Thank you for all the great tips, I am marking this one so I can write these down later. :-)

As a total noob to applique I can't wait to put these tips into practice.

Jenny and Jan Patek did a very good job with the four-part applique that covered many of the tips discussed and visual close ups. I purchased the kit but assumed the, "special thread" and a "special needle" would be included. I haven't found the needle and have yet to get the thread. So I have an applique UFO not even started.

FAMOUS SEWING SAYING......"As ye sew, so shall ye rip" : )

I agree...another thing I do constantly is starch lightly...helps with the fraying and turning under...on inside dips the one trick I found is to take a very tiny stitch into the top fabric, (not the base fabric) it seems to "roll" the fabric over and then I take the next stitch right at that point. nice flat valley.

LOL, I just started an appliqué class Tuesday. Many of your hints were in the class. So far, I LOVE it! I did find I had to go out and buy a magnifying lamp so I could see the stitches I wanted to make. Glad to say my stitches are tiny. LOL I had requested suggestions from the Board and I ended up getting one from Micheal's that was $99 with a 40% off coupon so it wasn't soooo bad. I didn'y know you could even buy 3.5 reader glasses. I'll have to look into those for class work!!

I use fusible interfacing and then glue stick and iron the extra clipped fabric over the back. I also use a blanket stitch because I like the thread showing on the sides.

All great tips. Thanks to everyone.

I use the tothpicks from Crate and Barrel to turn the edges, also glue stick to hold in place.