Have you tried the back baste needle turn applique technique yet?  If you haven't then you will be amazed at how easy it is finish an applique project.  I have tried every form of applique there is, freezer paper needleturn, raw edge, and fusible web.

My first applique class was using Elly Sienkiewicz's Baltimore Album quilt book.  Looking back it was a little overwhelming.  I'm glad I had such "formal" training, but any applique I do now is much siimpler.  I do have some baltimore album quilt blocks to finish up and make somthing with but I don't intend applique so formally for a while.

Recently a class taught by Grannie G at the NW Quilt Expo intriqued me enough to sign up and give it a try.  I was pleasantly surprised by the technique and it is just what I need to start appliquing again.  I'm so excited.  It is so easy.  No template to make.  No overlay to trace onto.  No freezer paper to mess with!

There are many tutorials about back baste applique and I'm not going to do one, just show some pictures of the basic process.  I find the most important aspects of any type of applique is the thread and needle.  You don't need an applique needle, I prefer to use a sharps, the needle just needs to be comfortable for you to use.  Also, a quality thread is very important.  I've found the lesser quality thread breaks too often and doesn't glide through the fabric.

1.  Trace your pattern onto the BACK of your backing fabric.  Place your applique underneath the backing fabric (both fabrics will be facing up once you flip it over) and baste stitch around your tracing lines.  I actually like to baste just within the line. 

2.  Turn fabric sandwich right side up and trim the top fabric which will be appliqued to the backing fabric 1/4 away from your basting stitches. 

3.  Bury your needle in between the layers and I like to start appliquing on a straight edge.  Cut your basting stitch just ahead of where you will be needleturning the fabric and stitch away. 

4.   Complete stitching around your applique shape.  Press and start another because you'll be hooked!

I hope this inspires you to try this applique technique and seek out more information about it on other blogs and tutorials.  It really has made applique so much simpler for me to accomplish.