A few years ago I picked up the Apliquick system at a quilt show; it immediately improved my (turned edge) applique overnight. I eliminated all "bumps" around the edges of my pieces with the first use. Never would I go back to any of the many different methods I had tried in the past. But the tools are essential. I found a Kathy McNeil online tutorial which was a good resource for their use.
Thus far I've only used the foundation paper that comes with the system; I've been happy with it so I've kept on with it. Not so enthusiastic about the glue stick...too messy. I prefer a tiny metal head put over an Elmer's glue bottle so I can dispense a pinhead-sized dab. Other than that, I LOVE the system, even though I have neuropathy in my fingers.