Andrea, I too am a handquilter. I piece when it is absolutely necessary. I love printed fabric but if I use it in a quilt I use it to accent the large plain areas that will have intircate quilting. I do what is necessary to get to the part I like the best, the handquilting. The only kind of applique I do is fused. Like cooking I have forced myself to master the necessary skills to do the job right but in the case of cooking it is the eating I most enjoy. Your work reminds me of the wonderful bed drapes, coverlets and bolsters you see in museums displaying magnificant beds in old castles and estates. I like to use thread that shows up against the plain background. Not long ago I helped quilt at the local Senior Center. We used a varigated thread. It really looked great on all of the black sashing etc.