I hand applique. I taught myself by appliquing hearts on white squares. I spent 7 years and made a quilt that just covers the top of my california king bed. I call it my 7 Year Stitch. Now I am working on a basket quilt. The baskets are cut out of 5 inch squares and sewn onto 6 inch tan-ish squares. The method I use in needle turn. Sometimes I use a plastic template and trace on the front of the fabric. I cut around a scant 1/4" (but you don't need to measure). With the hearts, I ironed freezer paper templates on the front of the fabric, cut around it and then needle turned to the edge of the freezer paper. I recommend using a straw needle and applique pins. I match my thread to the piece I am appliquing down. Happy stitching!