Hand applique is my favorite technique. It is relaxing and it is so much more forgiving than piecing. I used to call it "ack-i-que" but my best friend taught a series of classes for our guild and I thought I should attend to support her efforts. I was hooked. There are a boat-load of methods
to applique, and while I have my favorite, I use whatever seems to be the most appropriate for the situation. Sometimes I do fusible machine applique but I hate soing the machine stitching...I really mean hate too!