Erica Bunker | DIY Style! The Art of Cultivating a Stylish Wardrobe: cutouts

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Review: McCall's 7836 - Cutout Mock Turtleneck Shoulder Sweater!

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Review: Trend Patterns | TPC11 Knot Front Dress!

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Review: Butterick 6351 | Rainbow Cutout!

12:00 AM

While I was browsing the designer spring/summer collections online, I discovered these fabulous stripe dresses from Dolce and Gabbana.

source: Net-A-Porter.com

I loved all of the elements of the dresses and the striped fabric and I decided that I could make this look work for my everyday life. And I knew the perfect pattern I would use to execute my look.

I picked Butterick 6351 and found this fabulous Italian Multicolor Striped Cotton-Lycra Sateen fabric from Mood Fabric.com because crisp stripes are the perfect way to add drama to a summer wardrobe.

I cut the size 14 in the C cup. I added an inch to the length of the bodice for both front and back. I also pivoted the horizontal underarm dart around to a vertical waist dart. There was nothing wrong with the fit of the bodice. I changed it simply for aesthetics. I wanted my stripes to match as closely as possible at all seams.

So I felt that dart move worked out best for me. I tweaked the fit somewhat. I typically cut slightly larger and just make nips and tucks wherever needed. I took in the sides a bit to refine the bodice fit.

For the skirt, I cut the same size and added an inch to the length. As you see this time, I strategically placed the stripes vertically. Such a slimming effect.

I added the band to the skirt and flipped it back to horizontal. And the dress has an elastic waistband in the back of the skirt.

The stripes were pretty simple to match because it is a large enough scale pattern.

The dress is partially lined at the bodice. I used a white cotton batiste from my stash. The dress has a side invisible zipper.

The only thing I don’t really like is the elastic back waistband. I don’t understand the point of that if it has a zipper. If I make this again, I’ll eliminate the elastic waistband and waist gathers and change the skirt portion and use a simple pencil skirt with darts and a waistband.

When I tried the dress on, I didn’t like how the back of the bodice didn’t lay right. It kept falling open, exposing my bra and it just overall looked sloppy.