I don't understand why you think a satin stitched applique will not hold up as well as hand applique? The people I know who do hand applique always seem to ( protect) those quilts / recommend little use/ laundering. I don't do satin stitch applique, really don't like that heavy, stiff edge on everything ( that's just me) but I do a Ton of fusible machine applique. I finish my pieces with a small machine blanket stitch, quilts have been laundered , used for years and held up well.