Hello, and welcome from Idaho!

Welcome and agree with Scowlcat -- definitely cut the middle out of your fusible (some pieces you can use later)....Otherwise your applique will be very stiff.

There are three main machine stitches that I have seen used:
(1) Satin (very close zig zag)
(2) blanket
(3) Straight stitch close to the edge

I used to prefer satin, but am becoming more fond of blanket since it doesn't make it as "heavy". Nor does it use as much thread!

Welcome to the board from Southern California!!

Great hints!!!

Hey! I am originally from Huntsville! I graduated from Lee High School in 1984. Welcome to the board! I use Lite Steam a Seam 2 for the fusable stuff. It isn't as heavy and I had no trouble hand sewing a blanket stitch around it. Show us a picture of what you are working on. We love pictures!

Welcome, I am in the Harvest area.... just North of Huntsville....

Welcome from Kimberly, Al. South of you and north of Birmingham.I don't applique but it is on my list of things to learn.

Welcome!! I used to live in Huntsville AL... near Challenger schools... I use Heat n Bond lite and draw what I need to iron onto the background.. and then sew around the edges..
Hugs
QuiltinMama

Rogersville, AL here. What kind of patterns were you looking for? I don't have any here but my mother has gobs in S. GA. Send me a message and I bet she has what you're looking for.

She made me a quilt with hearts cut from my grandmother's dresses that I call Grandmother's Heart. She put a picture on fabric of my grandmother and one on another heart of my gma ad gpa. I can hardly wait for her to finish quilting it.

I need to get busy on my daughters. I made a black & white bowtie for her graduation and just recently found it (in mom's stash) and set it up to quilt. LOL. It takes me years to finish a quilt as I work full time.

Welcome from quilters mecca, Wichita KS