I am a QuiltPro fanatic. I have made lots of DPs of 12-24 blades. I like the pointed, rather than the curved edges. I paper piece mine. In placing the plates on the background, after very thorough pressing with sizing, I sew the 2 halves together ONTO the background fabric. Then I fold the points and top stitch them.
Several years back, I ramrodded a DP for my guild to make as a library fund raiser. Even the most experienced quilters were amazed at how easy it was with PPing. I was something of a nut about hand applique, but had to admit the machine appliqued plates looked just as good.