Project Log: Applique First step, Basting the Bows

I started Carolyn Friedlander’s Bow pattern nearly a year ago. I started by selecting my fabrics, and tea dying a selection of gray and white fabrics for the background.

Since then I have been working to get the bows basted into place. It’s important to be careful about your seam allowance as you baste because it will essentially be your guide moving forward as you turn it under. (At least that’s my understanding, I haven’t tried it yet!)

I have to say it took me quite a while to get the hang of of basting. If you try applique, make sure you get a good marking pen. Things got a whole lot faster when I started marking my seam allowance instead of trying to measure as I stitched. It took me a lot longer to figure that out than it should have, lol.

My stitches sped up again when I gained some confidence with the needle and was able to begin taking a few stitches at a time. I’m certain no one would call this tidy, but I’m happy to be through this first step and ready to start turning under.