Fusible can be easier and quicker. You are cutting out your designs and fusing them to the block, and then stitch around the edges. If you sew slowly and use an open toe foot you should do fine with any machine, just remember when you stop to have your needle down.
Here are some wonderful tutorials from our board
http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/10037.page
http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/5967.page
Needle turned applique, many different techniques and it takes practice to get nice points or curved edges.