Sew-Along #12 - Olivia Top and Girly Skirt - Preparations

The Olivia Top and Girly Skirt by Pink Fig

Before we begin the sew-along on Monday, February 24^th, you will want to gather some items and do a few things to prepare.

Items to Collect

1. If you have not purchased the patterns yet, please do so ASAP.  You will need BOTH the Olivia Top AND the Girly Skirt patterns.
2. 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 some fabric kits available.  We also have lots of fun fabric selections on our website.  
3. You will need coordinating thread to complete this project.  The project kits did not come with thread, so please make sure you have some. 
4. The Olivia Top also requires elastic thread for shirring.  You can find this at most any store that carries sewing supplies.
   
5. The Girly Skirt requires 1 yard of elastic for the waistband.  We stock a great quality 3/4" wide knitted elastic which is perfect for this.
6. 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.
   
   
7. And finally, you will need pins, a sewing machine, a good iron (a steam iron is preferable for sewing), a pair of fabric shears or a rotary cutter and mat, and a ruler.  
   
   

Optional Items to Collect - The following items are totally optional.

1. 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. 
   
2. A sharpie or other permanent marker for tracing your pattern pieces onto the freezer paper.  I recommend a black sharpie as the colored ones, though more fun, can tend to transfer onto your fabrics.  Ack!  Had that happen recently and I was so sad.

Things to Do

1. 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.
   
2. Press your fabrics well.  I try to do this straight out of the dryer so that the wrinkles come out easier.  
3. If you haven't already, join our Facebook Sew-Along Group so you can post your progress pictures.
   

Happy Sewing,

Danielle Storm
www.whimsicalfabric.com