Thank you, Margo and Ritzy! That sounds like a *much* more manageable method. I will try it tomorrow!!

Here are the four blocks I've done so far. If you're familiar with the patterns, you will note that I've changed the wreaths somewhat (one of them completely!). Please disregard random threads and wrinkles; I just pulled these out of the drawer now to take pix.
Oops, looks like I can only attach 3 photos. I'll put the 4th in a second post.





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I do it just the way Margo explained.

Jan, try cutting your strips 1" wide to make it easier to hang on to. Fold the strip in half, lengthwise and press the fold. Use your sewing machine to stitch 1/8 inch from the fold, then trim the rest of the strip away, carefully cutting as close to the stitched line as you can get your scissors. Then just push the folded edge over the seam to cover it and sew down the other side of your strip by hand or with an invisible machine stitch with something like MonoPoly.

We would love to see some pictures of what you've gotten done so far. It's an amazing pattern.

I've been working away very slowly at a "Ladies of the Sea" applique pattern. I'm not happy with the masts I've been making -- I just can't seem to get them narrow enough.

I like to prepare my applique pieces ahead of time, using a glue stick to turn the edges under. Then I can just place the pieces and stitch them down. This doesn't seem to work, though, on very narrow strips -- I'd like my masts to end up about 1/8" wide -- it seems impossible to turn under seam allowances on such narrow pieces ahead of time. I've tried with both bias and straight-grain strips.

None of the methods I've read (or used) for applique of narrow strips or stems prepares the strips before sewing them down -- all are versions of regular needle-turn, which I'd rather not use for the masts if there is an alternative.

Has anyone mastered a way to prepare narrow, straight strips with edges pre-turned and ready to applique? Or has someone else sewn this applique pattern and found a different solution to the masts? I've thought about maybe couching down cording, but haven't tried it yet.