To the poster who asked if anyone uses tape....glad to know I'm not the only one! Yes, I use blue painter's tape. It's great for when something is cut wonky and I need to straighten out the edge prior to sewing. Or when one of the pieces is a little short on the seam allowance. I use the tape to extend the seam allowance a bit.
This is kind of like string quartet when I get lost. I just play real quiet, or don't play at all, just move the bow around for a while until I find my place again. Sometimes I'll just play whole notes on a note that seems like it's part of the chord until I get caught up.