i love making mckenna ryan quilts! i know some people do them and do not stitch down their appliques...and only make them into wall hangings, when i asked about this (practice) i was informed they are soooo detailed and so much work the (maker) wanted to make sure it would NEVER be used as a quilt! my thought...what a waste of my time........guess we just see things differently. i'm one of those who always thought quilted wall hangings were such a waste.......i have seen some 'cool-ones' hanging in dr. offices ect and have ... changed my tune a little but if i am going to go to all the trouble of all that work, i want the quilt to be used, and i guess if your 'use' is to hang it on the wall....what ever.....
i always stitch down the appliques...make sure to use a good stablizer/interfacing when getting ready to sew the appliques; this keeps the block from 'puckering' or distorting.