I've tried all the suggestions here and in the machine piecing forum, and none of them has worked. However, taking another look at the pattern, I think the idea was that the Insulbright was supposed to be cut a bit smaller than the fabric or the cotton batting, so that when the back and front of the mitt were sewn together, the stitches would be going through four layers of fabric and two of cotton batting, but not through the Insulbright. Kind of a "duh" moment, but we all have them, right?