I reckon the tail needs to be 3-4 times times the expected width of the knitting.

If you are casting on hundreds of stitches try using a separate ball of yarn (or the other end of the ball you are using) for wrapping around your thumb.  Once all the stitches are cast on cut it to a few inches.  It will mean a couple more ends to weave in, but that's less painfull than ripping out a gazillion stitches and starting again.

There are two ways of doing a long tail cast on - and (if done correctly) end up being identical.   The slingshot method and the thumb method, lots of tutorials and videos of both on the web.  It's essentially a row of backwards e-loops with a stich knitted into each.

The slingshot method seems to be more popular with people who knit continental, yarn held in the same hand as the needle which supplies the stitches.  The thumb method is more popular with people who knit English style with the yarn held in the same hand as the needle receiving the new stitches (usually the right hand).

Really, all you do for the thumb method is make the backwards loop over your (left) thumb and knit into it.  Or you can purl into it.  If you are going to work ribbing immediately after casting on then use the thumb method and knit or purl appropriately.

Getting a cast on to be stretchy is about the distance between the stitches rather than the size of the stitches.  With practice thumb method of long tail cast on can be very stretchy.  Just put as little tension as you can without it all falling off the needles.

They did say that some plastics are very difficult to do without, and even burning those which can't (or can't ecconomically) be recycled does put something back into the system, ie incinerator fuel for making electricity.

If you stop to think about it ALL fabrics have got a downside to them, not just the synthetics.  The cotton industry more or less came about with slave labour, and cotton is still grown by the poorest people of the world, and if it's mercerised there are lots of harsh chemicals involved.  Linen uses huge amounts of water, a precious resource to many, and can contaminate the water courses, rayons are made by chemically breaking down plant cellulose fibres and of course all animal fibres are contraversial for some people.  Eliminate them all and what are you left with?  Animal skins or naked bodies!

They are great

Did you free-motion the applique?

That's great, and I love the way you've made the 'flying geese' type edging - it looks like little flags fluttreing in the breeze.

Welcome to TSP.  Fire away with any questions you have, and keep us updated with your progress.

As did mine, so it looks as though they were just late being sent out.