Another Softie for Christchurch

Something that I have been wanting to try for a while is appliqué. When I set myself the challenge (number 22) to learn to do it, I imagined that my first project would be a bag or a t-shirt.... But then I came across this tutorial to make an applique owl softie.

Well, it got me thinking immediately! What a great way to combine the completion of another challenge with the creation another Softie for Christchurch! Of course, as with other projects, I couldn't just follow the tutorial (where would be the fun in that?)

This is what I came up with:

the front

the back

close-up

I would be ridiculously proud of it if it wasn't for one thing... I got so carried away when I was laying everything out, cutting, ironing and sewing that it wasn't until I was almost finished that I realised that the yellow base material is back-to-front (and there was me wondering why the yellow colour was so subtle!!!) OOPS!

Critical as ever, I would say that the stitching round the eyes could be a bit better, but in general I think this is a pretty good first effort. I may have to make at least one more of these with the fabric the right way out!!!

***Note to anyone else wanting to try applique work- start with squares or simple shapes not curves and circles!***