thanks for all of the wonderful suggestions
As usual, the QB came through! Thank you all for your advice and suggestions. I'm going to have to try each of them and see what works for me. The ruler, the tape, the template...all great.
Andi--I checked my library on line but they don't have any Jinny Beyer DVD's. She did recently show soft edge applique on her newsletter and I saw her hand-stitching moving the fabric rather than the needle the way you said, but that was applique and I didn't see her seams being stitched.