I, too am an applique lover. Two or so years ago, I tried the back basting applique method. For years I had used needle turn but really fell in love with the back basting approach. Placement of pieces is very accurate. Try this method and see if you agree.
Having taken a Baltimore class from Karen Buckley awhile back, she suggested I enter my quilt in the Lancaster Quilt Show. Didn't win but was honored to enter. It was fun watching other quilters looking closely at my quilt and say, "I wonder how she did this?"