Sew-Along #23 - Addison and Addison Mini Dress - Preparations

The Addison and Addison Mini Dresses by Modkid

Before we begin I would like to introduce to you our awesome instructor, Sharon Knowles. The Addison sew-along is the very first sew-along Sharon has done for Whimsical Fabric and we are super excited to have her on board with us.

Sharon has been sewing most of her life but started sewing clothes after their fourth child was born, their first girl after three boys. This is where Sharon fell in love with the art of sewing clothes. Sharon and her husband now have five children, four boys and one girl. She enjoys sewing for each of them very much.

Sharon also works for the wonderful Laura Johnson over at Ellie Inspired. She helps sew up samples, test patterns, and even had her first pattern released with Laura. Sharon states, "It truly is a dream job come true."

Please help me in welcoming Sharon to the Whimsical Fabric team.

Now, on to our preparations.

Items to Collect

1. You must have the the Modkid paper pattern to be able to take part in this sew-along.  If you have not yet purchased this, please do so here. If you plan on making the Addison Mini doll dress, you will need that pattern also.
   
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 available.  We also have lots of fun fabric selections on our website. 
   
3. The girls dress requires three ¾" buttons and two ½" buttons. If you purchased a kit from us you will have received these in your kit. 
4. The doll dress requires 5 tiny buttons. These buttons were supplied in all doll dress kits.
5. The doll dress also needs about 7 inches of ¾" wide Velcro. Again, all doll kits came with this Velcro.
6. About a quarter yard of lightweight fusible interfacing is required for the girls dress.  Once again, if you purchased a kit you will have received this.  If you did not, please make sure you have some on hand.
7. You will need coordinating thread to complete this project.  The project kits did not come with thread, so please make sure you have some.  You will want to probably make sure you have matching thread for the topstitching you will be doing.
8. 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 rotary cutter and mat is a lifesaver!), a ruler, and a fabric pen or chalk. 
   
   

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

1. You also might want to trace the pattern pieces onto freezer paper.  It makes cutting out your fabric super simple.  If you desire to make freezer paper pattern pieces please make sure to have some freezer paper on hand.  You can find freezer paper at most grocery stores where the wax paper and aluminum foil. 
   
2. 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.

Things to Do

1. Make sure to prewash and preshrink all of your fabrics.  I wash my fabrics on warm or hot and then I dry my fabrics in the dryer with no softeners.  I always preshrink in 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. I also prewash my 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. 
3. Press all of your fabrics (but not your fusible interfacing) well.  I try to do this straight out of the dryer so that the wrinkles come out easier.   
4. 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!

Happy Sewing,
Danielle Storm
www.whimsicalfabric.com