If you pull your stitches to tight it will make your background pucker .I have been doing needle turn appliqué since 1983 and have never used a hoop

I love to do applique and never use a hoop. Pulling the thread too tight is not good

Also need to check if you are stitching up and down or with a running stitch. Running, you are not putting your thread in the background same place it came out of the applique piece. Therefore it is moving as you pull your threads.

I too have been doing needleturn for well, a long time, never used a hoop, I think that would cause more problems. I do pin my piece down thoroughly with applique pins. Also when you place the piece to be appliqued be careful you don't stretch it, just lay it on the background and a gently smooth with the finger tips then pin pin pin. Good luck

Once in awhile I use a hoop but not tight. I use a few applique pins to hold in place and gently move it so it just holds. Just depends on my mood and what I'm working on. Haven't done itfor awhile.

Did you use pins or a glue stick to keep your applique in place? I use a glue stick in just a few places to make sure the applique doesn't move!! A photo would have helped us see what the problem was. Hang in there. Just like everything else in the world, practice makes perfect.