What kind of applique? You could do two layers of the same applique, stitching one down tight and only stitching the center and veins on the upper one. You could cut two, put them wrong sides together, stitch around and turn through an opening, add a little fiber fill and sew on. You could wait till you are ready to quilt and add a fusible piece of batt behind the quilt top applique, like in trapunto.