Little Girls, Big Style Class Plan

by Mary Abreu

Featured Classes:
   • No-Fear Shirring: Classic Peasant Top or Dress
   • Twirl World: Twirly Girly Skirt

NO-FEAR SHIRRING
Classic Peasant Top or Dress

Class Description

  • This project is perfect for any skill level, beginner-friendly
  • Learn how to use elastic thread to shirr fabric on an adorable
    dress or top
  • Each student will complete a peasant dress or top
  • This wardrobe essential sews up so quickly, you’ll want to make
    a dozen – especially when you realize how easy it is to shirr!

Class Length

  • 4 hours, which includes time to trace the patterns from the book

Class Supplies

  • Required text: Little Girls, Big Style by Mary Abreu
  • ½ yard fabric for the Peasant Bodice Front and Back (increase yardage to make a dress)
  • 1/3 yard fabric for short sleeves OR 5/8 yard fabric for long sleeves
  • ¼ yard fabric for ruffle
  • Two spools elastic thread
  • Coordinating thread
  • Extra bobbin
  • Extra machine needle
  • Pattern tracing material like Pattern Ease, Swedish Tracing Paper, etc.
  • Pen for tracing
  • Chalk or fabric marker
  • Hand sewing needle
  • Measurements of the child who will be wearing the dress/top (particularly chest, waist and underarm-to-hem)

Classroom Preparation

  • Sewing machine for each student
  • Cutting and pressing stations

Class Outline - Refer to the book for page numbers as noted
Students will make the Classic Peasant Top/Dress on page 67.

  1. Use tracing material to prepare the proper pattern size
  2. Practice shirring on a scrap of the dress/top fabric. Follow the instructions beginning on page 27 to demonstrate the method used.
  3. Mark the shirring lines and sew elastic thread around the neckline, sleeve and chest
  4. Demonstrate different gathering techniques (see page 20) students can use for the ruffle
  5. Discuss alternate finishing tips such as hem bands, rolled hems, etc. that students can use to individualize their garments

TWIRL WORLD
Twirly Girly Skirt

Class Description

  • This project is perfect for any skill level; beginner-friendly
  • Learn two gathering methods
  • Each student will complete a four-tier twirl skirt
  • Twirl skirts are a must for every skirt loving little girl!

Class Length

  • 4 hours

Class Supplies

  • Required text: Little Girls, Big Style by Mary Abreu
  • 1/3 yard fabric for Tier 1
  • ½ yard fabric for Tier 2
  • 5/8 yard fabric for Tier 3
  • ¾ yard fabric for Tier 4
  • 2/3 yard ¾” wide nonroll elastic
  • Coordinating thread
  • Extra bobbin
  • Rotary cutter
  • Cutting mat
  • Acrylic ruler
  • Chalk or fabric marker
  • Waist measurement of the child who will be wearing the garment

Classroom Preparation

  • Sewing machine for each student
  • Cutting and pressing stations

Class Outline - Refer to the book for page numbers as noted
Students will make the Twirly Girly Skirt on page 123.

  1. Use a rotary cutter, ruler and mat to cut the skirt rectangles
  2. Demonstrate different gathering techniques (see page 20) students can use
  3. Demonstrate the quadrant gathering described in the book
  4. Discuss alternate finishing tips such as rolled hems, ric-rac, using three tiers instead of four, etc. that students can use to individualize their garments

!