Thimblebug - I think my current plan of attack for the ski poles specifically is going to be a one way 'straight down the middle' attack with what I'm calling (in my head) my applique stitch. It looks as though the enclosed zigzag stitch should measure wide enough to essentially stitch enough that it will hold appropriately with just one pass... We'll see.
But I'll bear your advice in mind in relation to other fiddly stitching - it actually hadn't occurred to me that I could do that, so thank you, you've likely saved me some headaches!!
