I learned this way. Place your applique pieces face down on a piece of muslin. The muslin doesn't have to be cut to the exact shape of your applique piece. Now sew the two pieces together. Trim away the excess muslin so it is the same shape as your applique piece. Cut a little slit in the middle of the muslin only. Turn the applique piece right side out. Use a bamboo skewer or your closed scissors to get all the points and seams straight. Press it. Now you have an applique piece that doesn't need to be needle turned. I always use a piece of fusible webbing (wonder under, steam a seam, etc) to hold the applique in place when sewing to the quilt block.