Okay here is my take on this applique BOM. I am a needleturn appliquer. I love applique! That being said as a new appliquer I would suggest that you do misty fuse for a softer quilt. You can also use steam a seam or heat and bond lite all being machine quilted. I would either match the threads to the color of fabric or use the YLI invisible threads. This BOM has many tiny tight turns that a new appliquer would have trouble with. I the nut that I am would do this as needle turn. But I have been doing applique for many many years. Luann in CT