I'm working on a memory/first year quilt. I wanted to make it out of some of the clothes my daughter wore during her first year. My vision for the project was for it to be a quilt, with a pattern, just made out of her clothes, similar to the quilts I have that my grandmother and husband's great-grandmother made. So, of course, I need to have my pieces cut with accuracy. My pattern calls for 3.5 and 6.5 in squares, it's a very simple Irish Chain pattern.
I have very little apparel sewing experience, so I have never cut or sewn a knit fabric before.
I realized that I'd be fussy-cutting every piece, and it would be a lot of work, but I can't cut these knits accurately at all. I haven't done too many because I know what I'm doing isn't working, and I don't want to keep going and use up too many of the outfits. I'm accidentally stretching them out, or they're curling on me despite ironing (which doesn't help much).
I know they sell stabilizer for apparel sewing. Is that what I need? If so, what kind and how do I use it? I seriously have *no clue* what to do, but I have my heart set on this pattern and I don't really want to change it without exhausting all my options.
I jokingly told my husband when she was 1 (and I had all my outfits selected) that I'd be happy if I finished the quilt for her 5th birthday. She's almost 2.5 so I think my joke might actually be a reality!
Any help is appreciated!