I love Thangles, place the darker fabric on top then, when you open to PRESS you are always pressing to the dark fabric, saves a step that way.
Oh decrease the stitch length like in PP, makes removing the paper a snap.
When not using paper, as you draw the diagonal line, I use a roller chalk marker because it is too easy to stretch the fabric.
I always oversize.
Conquer 1/2 sqs and it will feel amazing - I know you can!!