http://quiltsatcs.blogspot.com/2006/...-applique.html
ran across this one on the upside down method.
looks to me as if you lay the pattern on the backside of the background fabric, following the numbers in order from one, lay applique pieces on the front of background wrong side against the background fabric, then stitching on the line of pattern do a small zigzag round the edges.
this attaches the applique piece on the front. you then carefully snip off any excess fabric from the front, snipping up close to the zigzag stitching.
layer wrong side of fabric #2 onto the background fabric, turn to the back, zigzag round the edges of pattern piece #2, turn, snip off excess and carry on thru til all pieces are attached on the front.
look at the pix there and see if that helps you see how it is done. you're sewing onto the paper pattern lines on the backside.
reminds me a bit of machine trapunto.
fwiw,
j.