Bree, make sure you give the thread a little tug so that it's snug after each stitch. The stitches along the edge look like tiny dots. And if you can swing the price, buy silk thread to match the applique piece. It's so forgiving, you'll probably not see your stitches even when they aren't "perfect". Just beware the silk thread doesn't grab the cotton fabric the way cotton thread does, so the stitches tend to loosen kind of quickly, and may need tugged on frequently to stay tight between stitches.