I did a really wonderful wall hanging of a tree in a class using something called HeatnShrink. It was applied to the back side of the tree fabric, then I sewed lines on it like the creases in a tree's bark. You then steam it (not touching the iron to the fabric) and it shrinks up about 1/3 leaving a wonderfully textured result. I then appliqued the tree to the background using a satin stitch. I couldn't believe how much like a real tree the result was! Does that sound like what you saw?
Pam