Before we begin the sew-along on October 21st, you will want to gather some items and do a few things to prepare.
Items to Collect
- If you have not purchased the pattern yet, please do so ASAP. You may purchase it from our shoppe by clicking here.
- If you do not have fabric for the project you will want to purchase that ASAP also. At the time of this writing we do have a few fabric kits for this project left. Click here to see the project kits. We also have lots of fun fabric selections on our website. On the pattern link listed above you are able to view a chart to see how much fabric you need for the project. We are making view A during the sew-along.
- You will also need coordinating thread to complete this project. The project kits did not come with thread, so please make sure you have some.
- We will be making our own piping during the sew-along. For this you will need petite cording. All fabric kits came with plenty of petite cording to complete your project. We also stock petite cording on our website. Or you can look for cording at your local craft store. I have heard of people using drapery cording with success. I haven't done that myself as I have always used the petite cording that we stock. You can check out our cording here.
- I highly recommend a zipper foot attachment for both creating and attaching your piping to the dress. Your machine most likely came with one. If not, you will need to purchase one.
- If you did not purchase a project kit from us you will need to
purchase a covered button kit or any buttons to match your dress. Our project kits do have the covered
button kits included. This pattern called for 1/2”
buttons, but we will be using 5/8" or 3/4” covered buttons in the
sew-along. I don't think I have ever seen a 1/2" covered button, but I could be wrong. You can purchase these covered buttons at almost any
store that sells fabric supplies.
- You will want a chop stick or some sort of turning tool for turning your pockets and dress straps. Just anything not too sharp (don't want to rip any fabric) that you can use to push out the corners.
- 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.
- And
finally, you will need pins, a sewing machine, a good iron (a steam
iron is preferable for sewing), and a pair of
fabric shears.
Optional Items to Collect -
The following items are totally optional. These are items I use
because I feel they make sewing easier for me. By no means do you need these items to
complete the project.
- 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. Emily will not be tracing her pattern pieces in the sew-along, but I do mine. The pattern is tissue and I make this dress a lot, so the tissue wouldn't last over and over for me. Freezer paper it is. I have a slight addiction anyway to the stuff. ;)
- A sharpie or other permanent marker for tracing your pattern pieces. I recommend a black sharpie as the colored ones, though more fun, can tend to iron onto your fabrics. Ack! Had that happen recently and I was so sad.
- You might want some sew-in or fusible interfacing to face the straps where you are sewing your buttons and button holes.
Note: Please make sure to ALWAYS preshrink any interfacing. If you don't, it may shrink up when you wash your creation. This will make your fabric look wrinkled and wavy. It can also become wrinkled and wavy due to shrinkage just by using steam when you press. To preshrink your interfacing you will need to soak it for 5 minutes or so in very warm water. You don't want the water too hot to avoid removing the iron on finish on fusible, but you do want it warm enough to shrink the interfacing. After soaking, just pat it with a clean towel and hang it to dry.
- If you like the look of buttons but want the ease of quick dressing, you might want to purchase and use snaps on your dress straps. You can still sew the buttons to the top of the strap for the "button" look. I've done this for my girls and they have really liked not having to fiddle with buttons. I've also used hook and eyes and then topped them with buttons. You will probably want to use interfacing to strengthen these areas before applying your snaps or hook and eyes.
- A quilting ruler, mat, and rotary cutter for cutting the bias tape for the piping will be very helpful. It's not an easy task cutting even fabric strips using fabric shears.
- Ric-rac, ribbon, or trim for decorating the dress might be desired. If you embroidery/applique this dress is a perfect palette for that also. Get creative!
Things to Do
- Make sure to prewash and preshrink all of your fabrics. I wash my fabrics on warm/hot and then I dry my fabrics in the dryer with no softeners. I always preshrink this way when I am using fabric for clothing construction. I would hate to work hard on something only to have it shrink and not fit when I was done.
- Press your fabrics well. I try to do this straight out of the dryer so that the wrinkles come out easier. Then, fold it up and set it aside for Monday's lesson.
- If you plan on using freezer paper to trace your patterns, you might want to do that before the sew-along starts so you are all ready to go come Monday. We will not be doing this in the sew-along. If you are not sure how to trace your pattern onto freezer paper and use freezer paper to cut out your fabric, check out this post here. Also, we will be doing View A in the sew-along. Emily, our instructor, has done a modification to her pocket and will be teaching it during the sew-along. You can choose to follow the pattern directions for the pocket or follow along with Emily.
- If you haven't already, join our Facebook Sew-Along Group so you can post your progress pictures and be entered for a chance to win one of the fabulous gift certificates listed below!
Prizes
www.whimsicalfabric.com
No comments:
Post a Comment