I don't mind doing hand applique, but binding drives me crazy. Especially on a large quilt. It seems to grow while working on it.
I have done the fusible thread thing, and I have moved on to using Elmers School glue. Water it down just a bit. Then iron it dry, it stays put. I then do the rest by machine. Sometimes in the ditch and then on kids quilts, I use a decorative stitch. I only do them by hand if I plan to put the quilt into a show.