There are two main problems with denim; it’s over dyed and it shrinks. Your denim sheet needs a good wash first. Then dry it and steam iron it so it’s easy to work with. Secondly, denim will shrink, between 2% to 5% so it’s essential that you wash it before you cut!

Once you have washed the denim you will need to clean your washing machine, especially around the rubber door seal. Mine had a lot of dark blue sludge from the two denim sheets I washed!

Be aware that even after the first few washes denim can still transfer colour to other fabrics. This includes furniture and light coloured clothes. I was at a party once and someone was wearing brand new jeans. I noticed that the palms of their hands were blue and where they were sitting on the sofa there was a big blue stain. Embarrassing!!!

Denim, and especially stretch denim, frays easily so as soon as you have cut out your pieces either overlock all the edges or zigzag them. Some pattern instructions say that you don’t need to finish ALL the edges but I do because that’s my choice.

When I cut out I use a cutting wheel on a cutting board. This is so much easier and quicker than using scissors!!

Links to Amazon here

Then I roll the pieces up in the paper pattern as there are usually some instructions or marks that will be needed later on!

The METAL DISKS I use are amazing! No need to pin to pattern to the fabric anymore and I now use the cutting wheel rather than the scissors so that saves time as well.

Link to disks on amazon here.