Sew-Along #4 - Preperations

Luscious Layers three layer apron.

Before you begin the sew-along, you will want to gather some items and do a few things to prepare. 

Items to Collect

1. If you have not purchased the pattern yet, please do so ASAP.  You may purchase it from our shoppe by clicking here.
2. If you do not have fabric for the project you will want to purchase that also.  At the time of this writing we do have fabric kits for this project.  Click here to see the fabric kits.  We also have lots of fun fabric selections on our website.  On the pattern link listed above you are able to view how much fabric you need for the project.  We are making the Style 2 (three layers) apron in the sew-along.  Please note that the kits come with 3 yards of the main fabric and 1.5 yards of the coordinate, the extra 3/4 yard of the coordinate is for a reason. (See #4, bias tape info, below).  Also, because of the size of the bottom skirt piece you can not use any fabrics with a selvage to selvage print.  Your bottom skirt piece will be cut from the length of your fabric, not the width.
3. You will also need coordinating thread to complete this project.  The fabric kits do not come with thread, so please make sure you have some.
4. If you do not purchase a project kit from us you will need to either purchase or have an extra 3/4 yard of fabric to make your own bias tape (we will be doing this in the sew-along) OR you will need to purchase enough pre-made bias tape to complete the apron. 
5.  If you are going to make your own bias tape with us, you will want a long ruler or straight edge.  If you have a rotary cutter and a mat this will also make things easier, but if not, you can just use scissors. 
6. You will need a good iron and ironing board.  Professional results in sewing largely come from well pressed seams during sewing.
7. You will want some sort of fabric marking instrument.  You can use chalk, a marking pencil, washable fabric pen; even a bar of soap will work. 

Optional Items to Collect - The following items are totally optional.  These items are something I use because I feel it makes cutting out my fabrics easier.  You will see me using them in the sew-along, but by no means do you need these items to complete the project.

1. If you will be making your own bias trim with us, you might want to pick up one of these simple bias trim makers.  You will need the 1" size.

2. Masking Tape (will be used with the freezer paper).
3. Freezer paper to trace the pattern and cut out your fabric pieces.  You can find this at most grocery stores with the wax paper and aluminum foil.

Things to Do

1. You might want to prewash and preshrink your fabrics.  The pattern maker recommends that you do.  I usualy do for clothing items, but since this is just an apron and doesn't have to "fit" perfectly, I choose not to prewash this time.  I was also in a bit of a rush and I knew that my fabrics were color fast and wouldn't bleed.  If you think your fabrics might bleed onto each other, you might want to prewash first.  And, if you plan to wash your apron a lot or on hot (it is an apron after all and will get dirty) and are worried about shrinkage, I would prewash your fabrics. If you do decide to prewash, I usually wash my quilting cottons in hot (or just warm if the colors are very deep and I fear color fade) and and are then I dry my fabric in the dryer with no softeners.
2. Press your fabrics well.  I try to do this straight out of the dryer so that the wrinkles come out easier. 

Happy Sewing,

Danielle Storm

www.whimsicalfabric.com