Kay

I do sew the edges of my machine appliqué, with a small machine blanket stitch, and Wonder Under does not gum up the needle. As to which fusible is better, it’s a matter of choice so try each one and see which you prefer.

The reason for removing the centers of the templates is to reduce stiffness, which I prefer. For a decorative wall piece, if you don’t mind it being stiff, you can leave the centers in if you feel it might make the pieces stay better when not finishing the edges. I really feel it’s better to either finish the edges or quilt over the motifs (or both). In either of those cases you don’t need the motif fused in the middle.

There are certain fusing techiques where the fabric is pre-fused, and then the shapes are cut out. In that case, you can’t remove the center of the fusible. That’s the way Laura Wasilowski works… see my post of August 1, 2009.

Cheers,
Kay

Finally, I have a suggestion for those annoying backing-won’t-separate issues: I’ve never done this on fusible web, but on other peel-apart stuff, you can often get an ornery backing to come off if you grab both ends of the item and rub it, shoeshine-style, over a curved surface (like a pencil). I think it works on that same law of physics that you mentioned earlier, with the rolled-up towels. I’ve gotten many a kid’s tattoo to come off the backing that way–give it a try!

Kay