Needle turn is pretty, but I am like you not real good at it. I enjoy the fusible applique or the machine applique. I have gotten even to where I do the fusible then stitch it down with the longarm so i do not have to work so hard on ether and it looks real good because on the backside of the quilt it shows off all the applique pieces and then I can really quilt on te applique and no one is the wiser. Yep, killing two birds with one stone. Important note on that, must be sure to use a quality fusible. Also, doing it Whigrose's way of donut hole (cuttng out the centers before putting on fabric) really makes the appliques soft and they look so close to needle turn. Whigrose's work is so pretty.