You did put something behind the fabrics, interfacing, paper, kitchen towel to stabilise, didnt you?
I dont think it was included in the destructions but having appliqued extensively in the past (and used up all my medium weight interfacing with The Village) I knew I had to, I used tracing paper!
BTW, I see no puckering either!
BTWBTW ... Lovely background fabric, very David Hockney!!!