Using fabric scraps on embroidery

Hi there!  Just wondering if any experienced embroiderers out there have some advice about how to applique/embroider small pieces of fabric onto items you're embroidering.  I like the look of this but don't know if I should first fuse the fabrics onto my base fabric, if I should press edges down as if I were doing traditional applique, or some other technique I'm not thinking of.  Suggestions anyone?  Jenny Hart says not to use fusible web on embroidery because it eventually degrades in some mysterious fashion...

Hi--

Some people use water soluble glue to tack down the applique pieces, like Roxanne's Glue Baste It. Some others do use the fusible web. I haven't heard about it degrading. Instead of putting fusible on the entire applique piece, some people cut out the center part and just use it to hold the edges.

I am interested in this too, so I googled and found this pdf 'http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=iqscresources' If you skip to the conclusion, it may help you to decide. It depends on how long you expect your embroidery to last.

Carol

Carol, what an interesting and helpful article--thanks very much for that link!  I believe I won't try spray adhesive on my next quilting project after all, and will probably also just try appliqueing my small fabric pieces down on a base fabric the old-fashioned way before embroidering the secured edges.  It's nice to think that things I make might one day become treasured heirlooms if I do them right.