What Do You Fear? | Go-Go Kim

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Friday, May 6, 2016

What Do You Fear?

Sewing sometimes involves fear.  The fear of not making the perfect block, a deadline or starting a new technique. I have wanted to take up garment sewing for quite some time. There have been the odd garments made here and there but the confidence to make clothing I would wear on a daily basis was not there for me.  All of the patterns seemed so overwhelming and intimating.  I was afraid of failure.  Not having much else to do while I was waiting for my shipment of Moda fabrics from Spool to continue with my blocks for The Splendid Sampler,  it was time to face my fears!

This week decided to take part in an Instagram daily challenge #memademay ( I am gogokim).  I am so excited to say I  have made three garments this week that were completely successful and have built my confidence in creating garments to wear!



The Colette Ginger Skirt is a very fast sew.  I was impressed with the accurate sizing, detailed instructions and a special area in the pattern notebook for your own personal notes for the pattern. 

I made the F option which is the bias cut.  I have never made a bias cut skirt.  I used a small print herringbone patterned fabric that was on clearance at Joanns.  It is not heavy weight and had a high spandex count but I cannot remember what it was.  It works beautifully for this skirt. It 

The invisible zipper was a breeze.  The way that they have chosen to finish the waistband was kind of confusing at first but I took my time and it was really easy and I am sold on how it looks when completed! 



The Colette has wonderful online support for everything from installing an invisible zipper to suggested hemming techniques.  If you are new to garment sewing, I can highly recommend this pattern and would suggest taking some time to look through the tutorials already offered by Colette Patterns.



I also made a knit skirt using Butterick pattern 5882 but just made the skirt and then added a waist band by cutting a strip of fabric six inches wide then just held it to my natural waist to measure.  I trimmed the strip, sewed the ends together to make a loop and attached it to the waistband area.  Another super fast project!  I wore it to pick up my son from school and it may be the most comfortable skirt I have ever owned. 

This fabric was also bought on clearance from Joann Fabrics.  It is a lightweight knit ( perfect for summer).  I was trying out patterns with fabrics that were not expensive to build my knowledge and skill level without ruining anything really expensive.  There is nothing worse than ruining good fabric!


This is my most happy of the garments I made!  Sorbetto is a free pdf pattern by Colette Patterns!  YAY FREE!  

This pattern is simple!  I would encourage even a sewing beginner to try this pattern as a first step to sewing garments.  The most daunting task is the organizing and making the pattern with the print out.  It is not difficult, just not my most favorite thing to do. It is a very professional pdf and lines up perfectly. I used washi tape to secure mine together in case I needed to readjust have perfect lines.  

Fitting is different for everyone.  I am long waisted and small busted.  Garments are designed for the general population and do not accommodate for these differences in sizes.  Luckily, my good friends on Instagram gave me amazing support and recommended adding 2 inches to the bottom of the pattern for my long waist.  This was perfect for me!  The patten was very accurate on sizing and I did not see any reason to adjust for my bust darts.  

There are no zippers, buttons or snaps to fuss with while making this shirt.  For this reason alone it is a winner! 

This shirt was made using Ikea fabric!  The bolt was on clearance for some insane amount that worked out to be less than .50 a yard or less.  I bought two bolts and gave one away when I had my mad sewing studio clean out last year.  It is a lovely fabric perfect for muslins and quilt backs.  Always look for great deals on fabric just for occasions like this one! 

I used Aurifil 40wt for all of the construction of the garments and they were sewn on my Bernina 440. 

I hope you will try to challenge yourself to try a new sewing project that you have been fearful of doing.  Every time we sew we are learning something new.  Even if we make mistakes or hate the outcome, we have learned in the process.  I am learning most of all, I LOVE the process! 


Linking up to Finish It Up Friday on Crazy Mom Quilts! 






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4 comments

Sharon Tucker said...

Oh, I'm definitely afraid to make clothing items...every time I think about it ugly images of ill-fitting, irregular shaped 'clothes' fill my mind. I looked at the pattern for Sorbetto and I might just give it a try! Worst case I'll have a 'cleaning cloth'!! :-)

Your skirts and top look fabulous!!

Debby C said...

Love your efforts! Good for you! You've inspired me to download the Sorbetto blouse to try all by myself. The fabric you chose is SO fun! Will have to be on the lookout at Ikea. Who knew?

margaret said...

you have definately got the skills now to make all your clothes very impressed and like you the top is my favourire

Julie said...

Thank you for your imformative post. I love your skirt. I have just made my first piece of clothing (The A line Barcelona skirt) after a break of 20 years - lots of quilting related sewing but not clothing. I want to do a Sorbetto top too. Thanks for the advice on lengthening it - I think I will need to do that too.

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