I am teaching myself Needle Turn Applique and have been searching the internet for blog information and tutorial videos. I read your post earlier today and thought, wow everyone has given her fantastic advice. I came across this video lesson by Sharon Schambers and thought this might really help. It is long, but she covers a section on really small pieces and how she does them...it looks easy and very helpful. So, even though I have not had the opportunity to watch the whole video....I hope that it helps.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEeirIl1Acs