raw edge applique
 

I've never done raw edge so I have a question before I try it. Does it need to be machine quilted or can you hand quilt?

Maybe. It'll depend on which fusible you use and if you window it or not. Windowing is when you cut the center of the fusible out and just fuse a narrow frame to your applique fabric. There are also some fairly soft fusibles like Misty Fuse.

you can hand quilt- but the appliques need to be stitched down- using fusible usually makes it difficult to hand stitch the applique down- so generally fusible raw edge applique is machine applique. hand applique is needle turn- without fusible used. but you can still hand quilt a quilt made with raw edge appliques- most of the time appliques are not stitched through during the quilting process- so it doesn't matter if it's hand or machine (needle turn or fusible-raw edge)

I would reccomend the needle turn, without using fusible. I don't care for raw edge. Just my opinion.

Do you plan on quilting through the applique or echoing around it?
How do you plan on adhering the applique to the fabric?

If you use a fusible to adhere the applique to the fabric you will still need to stitch the edges of the applique to make it permanent (fusible is not permanent), and typically this is done before quilting. If you machine stitched the applique down, then when hand quilting did an echo stitch around the applique - that would work. But I wouldn't recommend trying to hand quilt through the applique that has been fused down.

Another way to adhere the applique to the fabric though is to use an elmers glue stick to stick the fabric down, then machine stitch the edges down. The glue stick will hold for quite a while (days) as long as you don't handle it too much - and DO NOT iron it. It's a bit easier than quilting through fusible, but still a bit more difficult because of the extra layer of fabric.

I don't really do any hand applique so I would suggest machine. but I learned of a new fusible, Bosal #345, over the weekend and it is nice stuff. it holds well and it is thin enough thtat the fabric doesn't feel like it has fusible under it.
Now to convince my LQS to bring it in for me.

If you wanted to after you fused the appique you could just quilt and stitch the edges all at once. it's great for smaller projects like wall hangings. one less step to the finished project.