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The following appliqué tips and techniques I have learnt from either experience or other people. Each one below has made quite a difference to the end product - even those clip-on eye glasses at the bottom! This list is by no means exhaustive.
1: Stabilize your background fabric
2: Cut background fabric larger than required (1" all sides) as the appliqué draws it in
5: Use an open-toed foot - this gives you very good visibility of your stitching
6: Use a slow machine speed when sewing
7: Having a sewing machine which ends with the needle always in the down position is important for turning
8: Use a finer machine needle - I like size 11
9: Use a finer thread on the bobbin
10: Practice your preferred stitch on calico or similar first
11: Dry iron only. Some of the iron-on stabilizers work best with a steam iron. Just remember that if you don't prewash your fabrics you run the risk of shrinking them with your steam iron. I've done this recently and was surprised! This is only a problem if you are making a group quilt.
- keep it out of the sun
for cleaning your needle
- for those of us needing a little extra help seeing exactly where the needle is going 
