It is much easier . Recently we were doing an heirloom quilt in blocks. The instructions had us doing Trapunto and applique pieces on the block. The final instructions were to grid the background in 1/2inch squares and another section in1/4 inch squares but not same direction. This grid was terrible as you had to plan ech line and Line up over applique area. It was much easier when we changed it and gridded background first.