I'm working on my very first applique project, so I appreciate everyone's tips! I do have one of my own - don't be intimidated! I don't know why, but I was really intimidated by applique and thought it was going to be really difficult. (I'm doing needle-turn hand applique.) There are certainly challenges, but after all, it's just fabric and thread. If you mess up, take it off and start over. I'm having a lot of fun!