Used to do hand applique with the ladder stitch. Now machine applique with the satin stitch.

I do needle turn and, if I use a fusible, then I do a hand blanket stitch around the pieces. I find hand stitching the blanket stitch to be very relaxing.

I just recently tackled my first turned edge machine appliqué for my DIL’s baby shower quilt. I mean like I just finished sewing the binding to the back yesterday and the shower is tomorrow... I used a blanket stitch on my machine. I practiced with he settings a number of times before I came up with something I liked for the elephants.

I think it turned out nicely and have overcome my fear of appliqué. LOL I would post a photo but have not yet figured out how to do it from my Ipad. : /

I know this sounds like a cop-out, but, it depends what you are appliqueing. If I am doing something for a child (hard use), I like to use the fusible on the whole applique and sew around the item, turn rightside out, iron on and then do a zigzag or other sturdy stitch around the applique. This will hold up to all forms of dragging around and laundering. For most appliques I will use the narrower bit of interfacing (fusible or not) and turn the edge and then stitch down. I may use a blanket stitch or a decorative stitch. I prefer this to a turned edge because I can never get it to be even. This is the same reason I rarely handstitch my appliques. I truly admire and respect those who handstitch, I have never mastered the skill. If it is a quick item or something as simple as a tote, I will simply fuse the applique and stitch around the edges (I often use this on holiday table runners because they do not get overused).

If you like hand applique, then let me recommend Pat Campbell's books. She is the doyenne of applique. You may find some of her books on Amazon or EBay.

If you want to machine applique that looks like hand applique I took a class from Harriet Hargrave in the "90's from a book by the same name Hand Applique by machine I made a queen size drunkards path this way and looks pieced I it sure you still may be able to find her book on eBay or Amazon it is in 2 parts one side of the book is something on machine quilting flip it over and is hand applique it is well worth having in your quilting library

I agree with others that it depends on the style and the ultimate use. But I do want to say that "acceptable" is what works for you, your design and your quilt. No quilt police! :)

JMoore - I just sent you a PM with information from YouTube on how to get pictures from your iPad onto your computer.

I do hand needle turn applique.

I do applique by hand. I usually do needle turn with an applique stitch. If I'm working on a piece that has many pieces or a lot of tiny pieces I will prepare the pieces using a washable fusible or freezer paper.