I use the ladder stitch for my applique, about four threads at a time until I get to the innie. I use fray block (which is soft) not fray block (which is hard) to prevent fraying in the cut, and I reduce the stitches inside the inner most stitch to one or two threads per stitch. The inner most stitch is taken into the applique then into the background. If you turn the piece over it looks like a tiny running stitch. When doing multiple layers, I will applique the top piece to the next piece as though it is the background, only then will I trace and cut that piece to applique to its background. I can have a whole rose appliqued and ready to put onto its final background.