I'm wondering how you treat the rough edges of the appliques. Do you satin stitch around them? Maybe you leave them raw and quilt over to keep them in place?
I tend to do a lot of satin stitching with them, and I'm wanting to change it up a bit.

it depends on the look I want. I did one with trees in the background and used many different pieces of green = I left that one raw edged to get some texture. Many things I will do satin stitch on because I want it finished and to make the applique stand out more. If I do use raw edge, I sometimes stitch a quarter inch inside the edge to give me a certain look....again - think about the look you want. Satin stitching makes a more finished and one-dimensional look, in my opinion.

I use raw edge. I stitch about a sixteenth of an inch away from the edge using a straight stitch and invisible thread after the quilt is layered so it gives me edge definition of the applique and quilts at the same time. If an appliqued area needs some internal definition I use invisible thread.

It depends on the look you wish to achieve at the end. For some I have used satin stitch, but when I do is when I want a drawing look, and I use a dark color thread. I have also used a blanket stitch, either single or double. Single with a thin thread if I don't want it to be very noticeable, double with a 40 wt thread if I want to bring it up. If I want raw edge I make a straight stitch inside the edge and very close to it, but not touching the edge. Just by sewing this line the fraying may begin, but will stop at the line and the frayed border is not too wide. I had to mentally prepare myself for this one because I don't like frayed edges, but some quilts lend themselves to it.

My machine has an applique stitch - basically a button hole stitch just smaller- but I have used the button hole stitch also

I have used an applique stitch and decorative stitches too :D:D:D