I've also learned to sew with the "strip/length" with the most seams on the bottom and the piece with the fewer seams on top.
I have also learned that if I have to ease a lot in - that I stretch the shorter piece to match the length of the longer piece - and that is easier to do if the shorter piece is on top. I also use at least a 2.5 (or slightly longer) stitch length when I have to do that. When the seam is "relaxed" - the longer stitches just sort of puff up a bit.
Was that clear as mud?
I do as PaperPrincess does - divide and conquer!!!