It depends on the pattern and the effect I am after. I actually like them both.

Sometimes the fingers get stiff and don't work well, then it may be time to switch to machine applique. The only stitch I use is the satin stitch!

I like both only if the hand applique is not needle turn!

I enjoy doing both. This morning I did some machine appliqué with the buttonhole stitch. I like to work on hand appliqué at night while I watch the news. Since I really enjoy both types of appliqué, I do the one I think will look best on the quilt I am making. This past month, I finished two hand appliquéd quilts. I am now working on a machine appliquéd quilt. While I am using the buttonhole stitch on this quilt, I have used a satin stitch on a previous quilt.

I prefer machine applique, but NOT with a satin stitch - I think it looks tacky, no matter how it's done. I've kind of been working on a hybrid method for a quilt I am making my niece, each piece has turned under edges so no chance of fraying but I am digitizing them all and each applique piece is stitched with a buttonhole stitch... to me it doesn't "look" like typical machine embroidery applique but it's much less fiddly than doing it freehand on the machine (I already tried that and failed - the perfectionist in me would never do a whole quilt that way).

Here is one of the test ones I've done.. it's basically the same owl as the hooterville pattern but about half the size and with different (redwork style) feet :)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7432/8...7f00dfc2_n.jpg

I much prefer hand appliqué. I prefer the look, the ease and the portability. Very easy to start and stop a project. No filling bobbins and changing thread colors and feet, etc. so many reasons I prefer hand appliqué (needle turn).

My thoughts too.

Why? Aesthetics or something technical?

Alison

Some of both. If you do satin stitch right it's fairly heavy and sucks up thread like there's no tomorrow. Plus you have to use a stabilizer or you get tunneling. I just don't like that heavy of an edge finish on my appliques and I don't want to have to add a stabilizer when I'm already using a fusible. The third reason is if your thread doesn't match your fabric exactly it sticks out like a sore thumb.

I also love hand stitching best.

I agree whole heartedly!