Hi John,
Normally the internal stem is about 1/4" wide at the leading edge. The strips are planed back to that edge so you have about a 3/4" wide section on which to attach the external stem. If your strips go past the leading edge of the internal stem you have no problem at all. You will still have to trim it back.
JohnK

: At long last I'm getting to the exciting part--stripping my Cape Ann
: Expedition. It's exhilirating seeing the strongback getting covered bit by
: bit! A moment of concern arose when I found I had cut the ends of my first
: strips a little too short at the stem and there's about a 1/4" gap
: where the strips meet. Since I have an internal stem, there's plenty of
: surface area for gluing the strips, and since I plan on shaving the strips
: down to make an external stem as well, I'm hoping the gap is
: inconsequential. (The strip does extend beyond the internal stem.) Do I
: have anything to fix before going further? Should I insert a wedge in the
: gap?