Hi Nana Up North!! Sounds like you're doing true needleturn, well done!!! Unfortunately there's no substitute for practice, but you'll get better and better with every stitch. Please don't give up, true needleturn once mastered stands heads above the alternatives! AND, once mastered is MUCH easier than other methods, and not all the fussy paraphernalia!!
Your questions....firstly, to make an INSTANT improvement in your stitch quality, especially in tight inner corners and curves, invest in a few reels of silk thread. Don't worry about colour matching, dark, light and neutral is all you need. Your method is correct, but even fine cotton or poly thread will never sink in and disappear like silk.
Secondly, you asked about fine points. This gets tricky as you need to trim back your seam allowance a lot more as there will be fabric from both edges competing for room in there! Slow and steady does it, being finicky to get what's folded under to lay nice and smooth with every stitch. I'm a very experienced appliquer and still struggle with these at times. Is it possible to make up a practice one using the same fabric, just trace off the tail etc a few times. That will help.
Lastly, you're stressing over things not looking smooth. This is probably because your turn under allowance is still a little wide, and with practice you'll gain the confidence to work with a thinner allowance. Also beware of fabrics that are a close smooth weave, like batik - they don't like to lay flat.
Apart from the silk thread the only other item I would suggest for your applique kit is a Clover Fabric Folding Pen. Magic stuff! If you trace around your stitching line before beginning to stitch, you'll find when you sweep the fabric under with your needle, it will lie nicely very easily.
Message me if you need more help, or email me at
[email protected].
Cheers, Pami