I an appliquer from the old days! I would take a scrap of fabric and just iron on fusible (iron on) interfacing.. a thin weight. Then trace the pattern, and cut it out. Then, place on the background piece and with just pins to anchor...stain stitch around the pattern. Worked like a charm every time...nothing ever messed up due to the interfacing. I went to a medium weight interfacing if the applique was going on something that just needed more stability to the applique or if I put it on a heavier weight fabric.. kind of depends on what you are putting it on and why as to the weight of the interfacing. When I start applique again.. I'll stick to this way. To me and my budget, it just doesn't make sense to start using all these new fangled materials..you know they are going to be more than 99 cents a yard that the interfacing is and since it works perfectly...why change?!!!