Thanks for all of the advice...I'll stop clipping my outside curves. I've watched every youtube video on needle turn applique over three times. I just ordered a DVD from piece 'o cake designs on how to learn to applique. I also ordered the companion sampler book that goes with the DVD. I'm just getting so frustrated. I am trimming to 1/4 inch, I'll start trimming it down to 1/8 inch as I go. Thanks again.
PS. I've also checked with the three quilt shops that are within 100 miles of me and none of them are having an applique class. I'm kind of on my own here.