I love applique but because of a pinched nerve in my neck at C4 I can't do hand needle work of any kind, so I do everything by machine.
I use the fusible method because I am one of those people who wants to get one top done so I can start another.
With the fusible you can get many different looks depending on what stitch you use. I use zig-sag, blanket stitch and all the decorative stitches on my Baby Lock Ellegante. Then when you use monofiliment, black, varigated, gold or silver, or matching thread you can get any 'look' you want.