yes i started sewing all of my strips at the same end. i have only gotten 5 to 6 strips sewn on each of my first ten strips. the lady at the quilt shop said that she didn't think that i had to take what i had apart since i wasn't that far. she said to alternate and go from there. and that also when i had pressed them i had pressed some of them from the back which made folds on the front. so i needed to repress them. my bow wasn't that big so it should be ok.