Thank you all so much. I still don't know for sure what I will do but am thinking machine applique will be much faster for me (done lots of that) and will probably stand up to washings better too. I was just concerned about the quilt being stiff but will check out the light steam a seam and see how I like that. Learning so much since I have been reading this board but with each new thing I learn comes more questions. LOL

Thanks again,
Bailey

I have not washed any applique pieces but I only do hand applique. My GD has one I made her, I will have to remember to ask my GIL how often it has been washed and how has it held up.

My hand applique stands up just fine. I also have a few of my Grandmothers, that are now well of 100 years and the stitches hold up fine even when the fabric starts wear away.

If the piece to be appliqued is rather large, it is possible to use interfacing only on the outline of the shape and leave the center free. I have tried that before. The center needs to be quilted then.

My favorite interfacing is steam-a-seam2 and I like to use blanket stitch by machine.

I made some cushions for my Mum and Dad doing needle turn and they are holding up fine! They get sat on (including by the dog!) and washed often because they're a cream background. I also did a border by hand on a lappy for my daughter and that gets dragged everywhere and washed often - no problems! Don't know how they'll be in a hundred years though! :-D But there are loads of ancient quilts in Museums that MUST have been done by hand and they're still here! :-D

biggest thing is to make sure if you ant to stitch you will need the lite weight for whichever bran you use and I trin even the light out except just around the edges of the applique pieces.

I'd recommend for durability...machine applique... Use blanket stitch...

Just think of all the old quilts that are hand appliqued and they have held up just fine.