Sew-Along #13 - Stella Dress - Preparations

The Stella Dress View B by Izzy & Ivy Designs

Before we begin the sew-along on Monday, March 24^th, I first want to share with you who will be leading us.  I'm super excited to tell you that Sarah Unthank will be teaching us again!  Sarah last taught the Naomi Dress.  She did a FANTASTIC job and I'm really excited to have her back.  You can read more about Sarah here.

On to the items you need to gather and things you need to do.

Items to Collect

1. You must have the Stella dress pattern by Izzy and Ivy Designs to complete this project.  If you have not yet purchased it, please do so 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 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 Stella dress requires 1.5 yards of 1/4" wide elastic for the neck and sleeves.  We stock a great quality 1/4" wide knitted elastic which is perfect for this.  The kits do come with this so if you purchased a kit from us you are good to go.
5. You will need some sort of fabric marking instrument.  You can use chalk, a marking pencil, washable fabric pen; even a bar of soap will work.
   
   
6. 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. During the sew-along Sarah will be showing us how to use cording to gather this very large skirt to fit onto the bodice.  You might want to grab some cording for this step.  We did include cording in all of the kits. 
2. Though not necessary, a ruffler foot for your sewing machine will help you create your ruffle panels quickly.  If you have a ruffler foot and are interested in a great, free tutorial; check out this one here.
   
   
   
3. Sarah will be tracing her pattern pieces onto freezer paper.  I highly recommend this method.  In addition to keeping your original pattern pieces intact, it also makes cutting out your fabric super simple. You can find freezer paper at most grocery stores where the wax paper and aluminum foil. 
   
4. A sharpie or other permanent marker for tracing your pattern pieces onto the freezer paper is helpful.  I recommend a black sharpie as the colored ones, though more fun, can tend to transfer onto your fabrics when you iron over them.  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