John Lee presented this topic at a recent Wednesday workshop.

Cut four pieces of timber, square and straight.
Glue them together with paper joints and PVA glue. I use old photocopy paper and be sparing with the glue
On thick paper or thin card, draw the shape you wish to finish symmetrically on a centre line. Cut along the centre line and around the outside of the shape.

Chuck one end of the square and use a live cone centre in the tail stock. Round the mid section of the combined squares and then turn the shape required to match the template.

Leave the ends of the spindle square , round the mid section and turn to shape matching the template.

Split one paper joint right through and mate the edges to examine the turned shape.

If the shape is not correct, tape both ends back together, rechuck and relocate the cone centre. Finish turning.

When you are satisfied with the shape, split apart all the joints, turn each piece 180 and permanently glue the square ends .

The outside can be turned if required and it sometimes to finish the surface before you turn it "inside-out..
Any "mirror image" shape can be predictably turned; for example a tree, ball, Teddy Bear and so on.
Give it a go and dream up your own shapes, try this sample based on playing card symbols.
It's fun.

John Lee

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