Before we begin the sew-along on Wednesday, December 10th, you'll want to gather a few items and do a few things to prepare.
Items to Collect
- You
must have the the pattern to complete
the pajamas. If you have not yet purchased these, please do so here.
- 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 fabric kits
available. We
also have lots of fun fabric selections on our website.
Please note that this pattern assumes you are using two fabrics. One for the main part of the PJs and one for the placket and trim. Flannel is a great fabric for the main part of the PJs, but it is too thick really for the ruffled placket and trim. Therefore, when choosing a coordinate, please make sure to choose a quilting cotton or something of similar weight.
- The pattern is a PDF pattern. You will either need a printer, paper, and tape to print and put your pattern pieces together at home. Or, you can have the last page of the pattern printed on large paper at your print shop. If you prefer to have your print shop print one large pattern sheet, make sure to put your order in ASAP. Sometimes they take a couple of days to process your request.
- The pajama top requires fusible lightweight interfacing for the placket. Our kits came with interfacing, but if you didn't purchase a kit you will need to make sure you have some.
- The top also uses buttons. Depending on your size, you will need 4-6 buttons that are about ½" in diameter. Our kits come with all the buttons you need. If you did not purchase a kit, please gather some buttons for the top.
- The pajama bottoms require ¾" wide elastic for the waistband. Again, if you purchased a kit, you will have received the elastic you need. If not, please make sure to have some on hand.
- You will need coordinating thread to complete this project. The project kits did not come with thread, so please make sure you have some.
- 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, a ruler, and a fabric pen or chalk.
Optional Items to Collect -
The following items are totally optional.
- During the sew-along we will not be showing how to trace the pattern pieces onto freezer paper.
If you desire to do this though (I always do!), have some freezer paper on hand. You can find freezer paper at most grocery stores where
the wax
paper and aluminum foil.
- A
sharpie or other permanent marker for tracing your pattern pieces onto the freezer paper is helpful if you choose to do this step. I
recommend a black sharpie as the colored ones, though more fun, can tend
to transfer onto your fabrics when you iron over them.
- 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. If
you are not concerned about bleed and don't plan on ever needing to
wash your bow tie or suspenders, those fabrics don't need to be
prewashed.
- Prewash your fusible interfacing to preshrink it. This will prevent any wrinkles or waves that might arise when you iron or launder your garment. To prewash your interfacing simply soak it in a sink for about 5 minutes in very warm water. You don't want the water too hot to avoid removing the iron-on finish, 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.
- Press all of your fabrics well. I try to do this straight out of the dryer so that the wrinkles come out easier.
- Don't forget to join our Facebook Sew-Along Group so you can post your progress pictures. Everyone who posts completed lesson pictures, on time, to the Facebook Group, will be entered into drawings to win some awesome prizes!
Danielle Storm
www.whimsicalfabric.com
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