Erica Bunker | DIY Style! The Art of Cultivating a Stylish Wardrobe: February 2016

cold shoulder

Every few years, I have to change up my sewing studio. Sometimes, the space just no longer works... or I get bored with it. Having a designated sewing area all to myself is truly a blessing that I don't take for granted. Recently, my old setup just wasn't flowing for me, so it was time for a change.

I first started with painting my 145 sq ft space. I can't have crazy bright colors in my creative space. I need soft neutrals. I took the former warmer ecru color and changed it to a cooler off-white shade of pale gray. I bought my paint at Walmart and it's Colorplace Interior Satin - #11252/Country Fog.

I've found throughout the years that I function best in a L-shaped workstation. Maybe it's all of the years I spent working in a cubicle! I tried to get away from it, but I always revert back to that type of setup. I stayed pretty basic by using 2 Tables from Target. And something about a White Desk Chair says "a woman creates here"!

During the day, I get great natural light. But for nighttime sewing, I needed new lighting. I added two Hampton Bay Carroll Plug-in Swag Pendant Lights. They're hanging on Westinghouse Large Swag Light Hooks, secured with spring toggle wings. I used the same hook for the iron's water tank.

I was in need of a new cutting table because mine had grown wobbly and I believe I'd stripped all of the screws trying to tighten it throughout the years. This time, I bought the Home Hobby Table with Drawers because the base is A LOT more sturdier. My Hancock Fabrics sells these in the store but they're not on the website. Notice that I didn't use the casters. Michael put the table on riser which gave me about an additional 3" of height. It stands at 38", which makes a world of difference to someone my height. And my lower back thanks him! And the Cutting Mat is from Amazon.com.

Shelving and storage, I'm using a Wire Shelving Rack from Walmart.

Here is my ironing station. I've been using my Consew Gravity Feed Iron for years. Once you go gravity feed, you never go back to a regular household iron. And I use a Wide Top Ironing Board. And I also updated the Ironing Board Cover.

Here is the pattern stash.

My dress form as mentioned before is a PGM Pro. I don't stash a lot of fabric, so it's put away in the closet.

So, there you have it!

Bold Colors

White Button Down Shirt + Floral Print Full Skirt!

7:00 AM

For effortless elegance, pairing a crisp white button down shirt with a floral full skirt is a no-brainer. A classic white shirt is a mainstay wardrobe staple that every woman should have in her closet. White button down shirts top almost every bottom well. And a fun floral full skirt is appropriate for so many scenarios. It works for so many occasions whereas a bodycon skirt would not.

Every year, I have to update my classic white shirts. They occasionally become dingy and threadbare from wear and tear. The key to a great white shirt is being bright white, crisp and well-fitting. I decided that my shirt for this year would be classically tailored and sewn in an amazing White Mercerized Cotton Poplin from Mood Fabrics.com. I also used these gorgeous Crystal Glass Buttons.

My pattern is (OOP) McCall's 2353 from 1999. I've had it in my pattern stash for years. It was gifted to me a long time ago and I'm just now getting around to it. It's a very easy pattern that I sewed in the same day I started it. If you're familiar with shirtmaking, you can do it to. If not, I suggest you check out a shirtmaking course on Craftsy.com.

I cut the size 14, because honestly, I was too lazy to do a FBA. But looking at it, it's a little big in the shoulders and I'm wondering if I should've cut the 12 with a FBA. Weight changes create interesting fitting dynamics that I'm still getting use to. Working out different body parts keeps my measurements constantly fluctuating.

I did lengthen the shirt an inch at the waist. Surprisingly, the sleeve length was perfect. One of the details that I can't live without on a classic button down is a yoke. In my opinion, it's what makes a button down shirt "real"! This shirt has a lot of topstitching and edge stitching. For some odd reason, I enjoy doing that.

For my skirt, I used Vogue 8882,view B. For a full skirt, I prefer a length that stops right at the knee. I feel that's the most flattering look for me. And I also went with a style that has sewn down pleats instead of gathers at the waist. I don't want all of that additional volume around the mid-section. The wrong proportions can easily make a full skirt go from fashionable to frumpy on me.

I cut the 14 and it sewed perfectly without any adjustments. I used this gorgeous Red and White Floral Cotton Print.

The hem is interfaced and has facings.

A faced hem is perfect for when the wrong side will show, especially when you're constantly twirling in your full skirt!

Styling tip: Full skirts look elegant and Carolina Herrera-Chic when paired with a crisp, classic white button down shirt. And what else would I punctuate the look with but a pair of classic lady-like single sole pumps in bright white.

bold prints

Battle the Rainy Monday Blues with Lipstick and Fringe!

12:30 PM

New Spring Patterns from McCall's!

7:39 AM

Bold Colors

Bold Stripes and Orange Trend For Spring 2016!

1:00 PM

Favorite Designer: Cynthia Rowley

Review: Simplicity 8058 | The Nautical-Style Skirt!

10:15 AM

featured

Review: McCall's 7330 | The Utility Jumpsuit!

7:30 AM

Very seldomn do I meet a jumpsuit that I don't like. And I love this one, McCall's 7330. What I love about it is that it's drafted for medium weight woven fabrics. I have nothing against stretchy jumpsuits... in fact, I actually love them and I've made quite a few over the years, and I'll probably be making another one soon.

But sometimes I just like to challenge myself fit-wise with a fabric that has no give, such as this Rag & Bone Mercerized 100% Cotton Twill from Mood Fabrics.com.

See, the key to getting the fit right on a jumpsuit, particularly for someone my height is the crotch length. I started with a size medium (12-14) in the top and bottom. I added 1 inch to the length of the bodice. For a jumpsuit like this, I must have ease when sitting and bending. And I added 3 inches to length of the pants.

I love all of the details on this jumpsuit. You're essentially making a shirt with all of the glorious details (i.e. collar, band, front bands, etc...) and a pants with pockets and a mock fly. And I love that it has a tailored waist instead of elastic or drawstrings.

And what I especially love is that it has a self-lined yoke and two-piece sleeves! Yes, two-piece sleeves! You can barely find them on coat and jacket patterns. So it's a complete rarity to see them on anything shirtstyle. And there's plenty of topstitching!

The original pockets of this pattern was not what I had in mind for my utility style jumpsuit. I changed them. Remember, you can do that because you're sewing and it's your garment! I borrowed the pockets from McCall's 6436. They're already sized to fit over the bust, so there was no tinkering. Just cut, go and sew. And my next substitution was for the type of closures I would use. I went with Dritz Heavy Duty Snaps in Antique Brass instead of buttons and I applied them with the basic tool and a hammer.

Another great feature is sleeve tabs. They just look so much better than just rolling up the sleeves.

The only thing I don't like about this pattern is the gathering at the waist. I would've preferred if they'd used darts instead. I feel like that would've simply been neater in a woven style.

Styling tip: This jumpsuit is great transitional garment that works with a multitude of shoes, from pumps to strappy sandals to Chuck Taylors. For this look, I wore a nude pump and kept my jewelry minimal due to all of the hardward on the jumpsuit.

All White Everything!

Sewing Studio Refreshening!

White Button Down Shirt + Floral Print Full Skirt!

Battle the Rainy Monday Blues with Lipstick and Fringe!

New Spring Patterns from McCall's!

Bold Stripes and Orange Trend For Spring 2016!

Review: Simplicity 8058 | The Nautical-Style Skirt!

Review: McCall's 7330 | The Utility Jumpsuit!

About me

Posts by Email!

SEWCIAL MEDIA

2017 Stylebook!

Disclosure

recent posts

Blog Archive

StatCounter

Popular Posts