just dropping a couple of links here for reference for future/current projects:

linda has a wonderfully detailed hand piecing tutorial, with all kinds of useful tips. whilst i'm not working on anything near as intricate as a dear jane, it's nice to know the proper way of doing things in case i ever get to the stage when it matters if things line up!

lisa has a very clear and helpful tutorial on piping on the u-handbag blog. i dug out my notes from the couture handbag class i took years ago as that had a piping method, but it turns out the pdfs are password protected and i can't find my registration info anywhere :( i'm sure the method was different, but tbh i remember finding the piping a pita then, so hopefully this way will be easier.