Week 10: Testfit Construction

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 As Week 10 rolled around, the reality of the final project began to set in. This week marked a significant step in my journey as I started cutting and sewing the calico for the test fit of my garments. It was an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience as I transitioned from planning and pattern-making to actual construction.





Getting Hands-On with the Test Fit

The process began with cutting the calico, a practice fabric used for test fitting. It was my first opportunity to see how my patterns translated into physical garments. While I had visualized the designs for weeks, seeing them come to life was incredibly satisfying.

Here’s what I worked on:

  1. Sewing the Darts: I started with the darts, a crucial element for shaping the garment. Aligning and sewing them accurately took a bit of practice, but I managed to get a clean result after a few tries.
  2. Joining the Seams: Next came the seams. It was challenging to align everything perfectly, but this step taught me the importance of pinning and marking carefully. I also realized how vital seam allowances were to the overall fit.
  3. General Construction Process: As I assembled the pieces, I got a much better understanding of how each part of the garment—like the bodice, collar, and sleeves—came together to form a cohesive design.



Challenges and Lessons Learned

This week wasn’t without its challenges.

  • Precision: Cutting the calico accurately was harder than I expected. I had to be extra mindful of the grain line and ensure every piece was aligned with the patterns.
  • Time Management: The sewing process took longer than I had planned. It made me realize that rushing through steps could lead to mistakes, so I slowed down and focused on quality over speed.
  • Design Adjustments: Seeing the garment come together highlighted some minor issues with the design. Certain elements, like the collar and the sleeve fit, needed slight adjustments to match my original vision.

While these challenges were frustrating at times, they were also incredibly valuable. They gave me insight into what I needed to refine before moving on to the actual fabric, ensuring that the final garment would be polished and professional.

Gaining Confidence and Clarity

Despite the hurdles, this process gave me a newfound sense of confidence. Here’s what I gained:

  • Technical Understanding: By practicing on calico, I was able to test and refine the techniques I would need for the actual fabric, like cleanly sewing darts, attaching the collar, and ensuring smooth seams.
  • Problem-Solving Skills: The test fit allowed me to identify areas for improvement and come up with solutions, like adjusting the sleeve pattern and rethinking the placement of certain details.
  • A Holistic View: For the first time, I could see how all the elements of my shirt worked together as a unit. This was incredibly motivating, as it brought me one step closer to achieving my final design.






Looking Ahead

Now that I’ve completed the test fit, I feel ready to move on to cutting my actual fabric. This week’s work has laid a solid foundation and given me the clarity I need to execute my designs with confidence.

While there’s still a long way to go, I’m proud of the progress I’ve made and grateful for the lessons I’ve learned along the way. The challenges and triumphs of this week have only strengthened my determination to deliver a final project that I can truly be proud of.


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