Erica Bunker | DIY Style! The Art of Cultivating a Stylish Wardrobe: What I'm Wearing

Fall 2016

Showing Your Team Spirit!

9:00 PM

BFW2016

Sew the Trends: Ruffles for Fall 2016!

8:00 AM

Ruffles for Fall 2016! Top is a modified version of Vogue 1308; the skirt is Vogue 1450. Erica Bunker DIY Style!

One of my favorite trends so far for the upcoming season is ruffles and flounces. A lot of the runway interpretations of this style can look over-the-top and just downright ridiculous. But it seems that a lot of the designers really watered down the look this year and made the trend really wearable. And I've been completely inspired.

I wanted a striking ruffle top that would go with anything from a statement skirt like this one or a pair of trousers or even jeans, but also simple to wear. I pulled the bodice from Vogue 1308 (out-of-print). I made this a few years back in a romper style. I wore that romper until the fabric had pulls and runs in it. I loved it. So reached for the pattern again. I cut out the bodice and lengthened it so that I could tuck it in.

Since it's only a blouse now, I eliminated the invisible back zipper. All of the seams are French, the neckline and armholes are finished with bias facings. And it has a narrow hem. What made this one a little more special than the original is that I doubled the ruffle. I finished them with a serged rolled hem. The fabric is this stunning Black Stretch Silk Georgette from Mood Fabrics.com. It cut beautifully.

Sewing tip: When working with slippery fabrics, always cut your pattern pieces on a single layer. I prefer using a rotary cutter for clean edges. Sew using a walking foot and a Microtex needle.

I wanted a white statement skirt. One that would work now during warm weather. And will also work with tights and boots when it's cooler. I've had Vogue 1450 since it was released.

It's from Guy Laroche Spring 2014.

I cut the size 14 and lengthened it 3 inches. If you notice on the pattern envelope, the back seam of the flounce seems to fall across the hip. That doesn't look flattering at all. It looks just weirdly placed to me... almost like it's hiked up on side. That's why you have to look closely at the technical drawings and see the potential. So that was the main reason that I added length, so that the seam would fall below the butt.

Sewing tip: Don't be afraid to ever modify a pattern. A pattern has to be adapted to the proportions of the body that will be wearing the garment. Pattern pieces and the instruction sheet should be considered "suggestions".

My fabric is the most perfect seasonless suiting fabric I’ve come across. It’s this beautiful Italian Ivory Stretch Polyester-Viscose Suiting. This is my second garment I’ve used this fabric. The first was my New Look 6459 cropped pants that I wore all throughout the summer. This fabric is the perfect weight for this skirt. The skirt is self-lined and the asymmetrical draped flounce is also self-lined. And it drapes perfectly.

The skirt has a side invisible zipper. And I topstitched along the seam detail of the flounce, like the runway version.

I know that a lot of you are often curious where I wear my clothes. I wore this on Thursday night to Birmingham Fashion Week, night 1. I think it held up pretty well under driving with a safety belt and sitting. I’m sure I’ll get a lot more wear out of these pieces individually.

SheIn

What I've Been Wearing!

2:30 PM

halter

Oh My Gauze!

12:00 PM

Gauze is one of those fabrics that is definitively summer, especially in bright white. It's lightweight, airy, and slightly crinkly -- it screams relaxed, casual and it's wonderfully cool.

I found this rayon gauze at my local Hancock Fabrics. It was $12.99 and on sale for 55%. I happily grabbed my 2 yards. This fabric is gorgeous! It's so much more polished looking than a basic cotton gauze that you can get for about 2 bucks a yard. When I prewashed it, it did shrink some. That's why this is an important to step to never omit! I know we get excited from a new fabric purchase, but I learned early on in my sewing that if I skip preshrinking, I'll be sorry as soon as I throw it in the wash. Also, gauze tends to grow! So you need to press it first with a cool iron to smooth out the crinkles so you can cut it out.

I mentioned before that as soon as summer months roll around, I never have enough cute tops. So I've been filling in that wardrobe gap. I reached for McCall's 7155 again.

I cut the size medium again. This time I elimated the facings. I wish I had done that the first time.

Since the top is cut in two layers of fabric, I just treated the bottom layer as I would a facing, but it's more like a self-lining. I trimmed and serged the seam allowance so there wouldn't be any fraying.

Also, with the shrinking of my fabric I ran short. I had to cut the bottom layer of fabric in two pieces instead of on the fold. I just added a seam allowance when cutting.

Those things happen in sewing and it's hardly noticeable. And who would know that it's not meant to be that way. I've learn to not sweat the little things and minor details. Call it a design detail and move on!

I need at least one more version of this pattern, a black top. And then maybe I'll be ready to move on.

Styling tip: I paired my new white gauze top with the perfect kimono style topper c/o Shein.com. Added a statement necklace (last seen here), boyfriend jeans and strappy heels. And a pair of great sunnies that I picked up at a 2/$15 sale at Charming Charlie.