Applique question
I, too, applique using needle-turn. I recently learned the back basting method which is my preference.
You have been told to keep your seam allowances at 1/8", to clip inside curves (I do not clip the outside curves since the 1/8" seam allowance is to fine).
To this I would suggest you make good use of your non-needle hand thumbnail to hold your turned under seam allowance in place. When you see a point developing, stroke your seam allowance on the underside and coax it out until it disappears. Use your thumb here to hold in place. Keep your stitches really small 1/8" or less between. On the back side of your foundation pieces, it should look like fine chicken scratching. Use a very fine needle. I use a milliner's or straw needle. Also, real batiks are very dense owing to their production. Try to avoid them until you are more experienced with applique.
Don't get discouraged. Remember also, when pressing, press face down onto a towel, otherwise your applique will become flat. And your work will always look much better after pressing.