Once you have printed and cut out the pattern pieces, you can begin tracing the pattern onto your fabric. I use either a colored pencil or a Sharpie Gel Pen (fine point) to trace the pattern. It depends upon the fabric and what is easiest to see when I begin using the sewing machine. Click on the photos for a closer view.
Pattern Pieces
Pencils on Dark Colored Fabric
Gel Pen or Pencil on Fabric
Trace the bodice onto one piece of fabric, but double the fabric so that you will be sewing two pieces together. Trace the skirt onto a single piece of fabric. Cut out the skirt using pinking shears in order to keep the edges from fraying. Be sure to cut along the line that you traced. Don’t cut out the bodice yet. You will sew the bodice into place before trimming away the excess fabric. Click on the photos for a closer view.
1: Double the Fabric for Bodice
2: Trace the Bodice
3: Pin the Fabric Layers for Bodice
4: Trace the Skirt
5: Cut Out the Skirt
6: Don't Cut Out the Bodice
Go Back to What You Need Before You Begin