I've never wanted to do hand applique but I do like how my embroidery machine does it for me. Of course the embroidery type applique designs all depends on how the digitizer creates them. I love how Stitch Delight does her's. She does a satin stitch around the design and then comes back and adds a crisscross stitching which really makes them stand out. Kreative Kiwi does a nice job on appliques too. Think she might do the same stitching on her's. There may be others out there that add a nice extra stitching around their applique designs, you just have to check them out. Right now I'm collecting Stitch Delight's applique lower case alphabets as I wanted to add the little girl's name on the cuff of her pillowcase that goes with the quilt she's getting. Purchased the upper case while they were on sale so just waiting for the lower case. Its just about finished and I can now make up her pillowcase to match her quilt.