I believe it's called the basting method. I use it in my Baltimore Album quilts.
I trace on the back, place my motif fabric on the front ( I cut a piece of fabric bigger than the motif), right side up, take a basting stitch all around the drawn line from the back.
Then you begin to needle turn from the front, removing the basting stitches about an inch or so in front of your needle. It works really well for small pieces, curves, and stuffed applique.
What I like most is there are no templates or freezer paper to deal with, no starching, just fabric, needle & thread.
This month one of the flowers on our baltimore album BOM is featuring this technique, as well as ruching a rose. On march 8, go to the thread and look at the tute I will be posting.