I always make my landscape quilts that way. In this case, however, the back isn't seen because they are put into picture frames. Since my rheumatoid arthritis hands won't let me do it by hand, I always applique by machine. I've never tried it the way you're suggesting. I agree it probably depends on your feeling about the stitches showing on the back. Maybe you could have the applique thread match your backing. Wait, that won't work; you don't want your stitches to be noticeable in front either. I'd probably experiment first with scraps. Please let us know what you do.