i've done applique for a long time now and i would suggest for beginners to use wool instead of cotton. you don't have to do needle turn. you can do blind stitch or blanket stitch and no worry about fraying. i went to fabric.com or someplace and ordered their 'sample' packet of wool fabric and got a BIG stack for nearly nothing. it goes really far and you don't have a big investment. one package i rec'd was like wool felt and the other is like you would use in clothing. cool - enjoy -i was beginning to think i was the only one left