About 4-5 years ago, I took a class at Quilt Camp in the Pines with Martha A. Nordstrand. Instead of the freezer paper on the front of the fabric pattern we used the pattern drawn on and then cut from the full sheet label papers. We used either the Roxanne Basting Glue or a Elmers glue stick and instead of working on our cutting mat, we used a cheap cutting board. Instead of a very pointy seam ripper to fold over and hold the glued fabric down, we used small straight screw drivers. then give you a larger area to fold over and hold down and the side of the screw driver is pointy if you need an even smaller area to press down. The advantage of using this method is that you can prepare all of your applique pieces at one time, and then as you assemble your pattern you use just a small amount of glue stick to hold it in place. Once you have glued all the pieces to your whole applique design you can put it away (if you choose) and it will hold together for years. I just need to applique about 7 tiny berries down and I will have finished doing the applique part of a beautiful fall wreath (with a robin sitting on a branch in the center of the wreath. I will upload a photo - hopefully tomorrow.) Another advantage is that you can get wonderful points too. A few hints...try to not get glue in the fold area; try to position your pieces where you won't have to sew through two or more glued surfaces; If you applique with batiks (they are perfect for appliquing) wash and press them first (no spray starch). If you do have to sew through two or more glued areas - take a small brush, dip it in water and soak the part of the piece that you are trying to applique through. It softens things enough to allow you to complete your stitches, yet continues to hold its shape. Sorry to go on for so long. I am just so pleased with the way this fall wreath looks - just had to share a few things that I learned by doing. Oh yes - it doesn't really matter where you start appliquing on something with multiple pieces/multiple layers - just pick a spot and go for it!