I just ran across this thread and am so excited to find it. The advise is amazing. I have done a little applique but not anything recent. I found a blog of a lady that does amazing work. Her name is Erin Russeck and she does Baltimore style blocks and has a BOM going right now. She's been giving tutorials on how to do different parts of each of the blocks. I've learned alot just by going back and reading past posts.
http://erinrussek.typepad.com/one-piece-at-a-time/
Wanda
http://wandas-quilts-crafts.blogspot.com/