Dakota Sewalong – Gather Your Tools

If you're on board the Dakota Sewalong train, it's time to gather your tools! Don't worry, we don't start sewing for a while, but there's nothing quite like the feeling of being prepared.


Pattern Supplies
Fabric of your choice – I cut my size 40 out of 2m (150cm wide)
1m interfacing
4 buttons (standard shirt-sized buttons)
Matching thread

No-Brainers
Sewing machine
Iron & ironing board
Overlocker / serger (if available)

Essential Tools
Pins
Needles
Paper scissors
Pattern paper
Tape measure
Sharp fabric scissors
Seam ripper (that we hope you don't need to use!)
Marking tool of your choice (chalk, pen, pencil etc)
Tracing wheel & waxing paper
Pencil & eraser
Highlighter

Specialist Tools
Walking foot for knits
Correct needle type for your fabric

Luxuries
Pincushion
Cutting mat & rotary cutter
Pinking shears
Beeswax
Beloved tool or gadget

Hosts Picks
Rachel's picks for a professional finish - sellotape ring, fabric basting glue, pressing cloth, pressing ham, buttonhole chisel seam roller & narrow hemming foot.


My picks are a little less conventional, but do the trick just fine - baking paper, canned food & seam allowance guide.


Before You Start
Wash and press your fabric
Test your stitches on a small sample of your fabric to find the optimum settings 
Test your interfacing too
Change your needle, especially if you're sewing with a different weight fabric than before

Wow, that's plenty to think about so I'm going to love you and leave you until Monday! Have a fantastic weekend and make sure you check back with Rachel and myself next week for lots of Dakota Dress inspiration.

In the meantime, you can join us on Twitter using #dakotasewalong, and you can also find us on Flickr and Pinterest. Pop back here for a reminder of the schedule.

0 comments:

Post a Comment