Have your sewing skills improved in the last couple of years since you took the class? If so, you may want to try machine applique again. The stablizer is optional for machine applique, but helps to keep the stitches from bunching up the fabric.
There are a couple of good books out there, but don't know their availability where you live:
http://www.amazon.com/Applique-Basic...words=applique
http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Mach...lique+hargrove
both books cover many types of hand and machine applique.