I've seen people with a carrier for applique blocks. It is a "tube" (made out of something like a paper towel roll... ) with fabric around the roll. You then unroll... and open up to display your applique blocks. When open -- you have a tube at one side... and a large rectangle of fabric that you lay your blocks on.
It is usually secured by a few ties.
I can probably stumble through it on my own... probably isn't horribly difficult. But would rather work from a pattern. I have an upholstery fabric HEAVY DUTY tube to use... and some fabric.
Now to get sewing!
Thanks!