I have 4 vines of raw edge applique on a pieced quilt. I can not do needle turned applique because of my hands. Which is the best way to finish the applique:
1. Straight stitch close to the edge with invisible thread.
2. Small zigzag stitch with invisible thread.
3. Straight stitch with matching colored thread.
4. Satin stitch with matching thread.
5. Other suggestions
I need it to look as good as possible. Thank you.

My personal favorite is the finished look of satin stitching in a matching thread.

I think all are acceptable. It depends on how you want it to look. #2 would probably be the closest to a hand applique look. My machine does a nice blanket stitch and that's what I prefer with either a contrasting or a matching thread. #1 would give the edges a fuzzy look after it's washed.

I do a machine blanket stitch on mine when doing raw edge applique. Here's a couple of close up pics.

I like to use varigated thread of a similar color with a zigzag

I do the same. Nice work!

I did a landscape quilt using a straight stitch with clear thread close to the edge. I still got some fray, and I'm using batiks.

For mine the little big of fray doesn't bother me too much because it's a landscape quilt - so it kind of has that "nature" look to it. Had I done an applique like Eddie's gorgeous William Morris pictured above - the straight stitch method that I used would have ruined it.

So I guess it depends on the overall "look" that you want.

Thanks Ladies for your input. Eddie, thanks for the pictures. your appliques were beautiful. I have a shiny embroidery thread that matches the vines. I'll have to see if I can do a blanket stitch on my machine scaled down to the narrowness of the vines and the thinness of the thread. I do not want it to fray. It is in batiks.

Are you using anything to hold the applique in place before stitching? Ex. wonder-under.
I like the finished look of a close ziz-zag. stitch.

WOW Eddie your work is awesome thanks for sharing ..