On my epp, I use glue stick by sewline to "baste". Easier and faster- for me. I have also found that by sewing the pieces together side by side rather than face to face..no thread shows at all...and finally found silk thread to be my salvation....all others I've tried have shredded along the way as I was working......and no my start length is about 20"... Not much longer...like in anything else, we find our best way and run with it. Still waiting for a sale price on her book, ha!ha!