Instructions

• Step 1: Wash and dry your fabric to preshrink it.
• Step 2: Iron your fabric to get rid of any wrinkles.
• TIP: Cotton fabrics are easier to iron when they’re a little damp.
• Step 3: Decide which side of the fabric is the right side. It’s not always any easy choice. Once you figure it out, mark the right side with sewing chalk or a pin.
• Step 4: Fold the material in half as instructed by your pattern and lay it on a flat surface, such as a padded table or the floor. Square your edges and smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles.
• Step 5: Pin the pattern pieces on the fabric. Make sure you pin both sides together.
• TIP: To keep slippery fabrics from sliding when you cut, put a thin piece of foam, felt, muslin, or craft paper between the two sides and on the bottom and pin to the fabric and pattern.
• Step 6: Cut your fabric following the pattern instructions. Use long, smooth cutting strokes and, for a smoother finish, don’t let the scissor tips close completely.
• TIP: Invest in a good pair of scissors and, before each project, wipe the blades with a dryer sheet for easier cuts.
• Step 7: Check your edges before picking up the pieces. You may need to do some additional trimming before removing the pattern.
• FACT: Did you know? European fabric merchant Scabal has created extremely expensive fabrics – one with diamond fragments and another using 22-carat gold thread.

You Will Need

• Fabric
• Laundry detergent
• An iron
• An ironing board
• Sewing chalk
• Pins
• A pattern
• Scissors
• Padding for table (optional)
• Foam (optional)
• Felt (optional)
• Muslin (optional)
• Craft paper (optional)
• A dryer sheet (optional)