Featured: DKNY Pencil Skirt
Both sexy and classy, the pencil skirt creates a flattering silhouette on every woman, no matter what size. Pair it with an all-business top for work, then slip into a pair of sleek stilettos to glam things up at night. The elastic waistline allows for an adjustable fit and may be worn with a purchased belt. This version of the pencil skirt is fully-lined.
You will need:
- 1 yd. [0.9 m] of fashion fabric, 45″ [115cm] wide
- 1 yd. [0.9 m] of lining, 45″ [115cm] wide
- 1 yd. [0.9 m] of elastic, 1 ½” [40 mm] wide
- Coordinating thread
- Bodkin
PATTERN
This is a simple block pattern. It may be measured and cut directly on the fabric. Seam allowance is included.
CUTTING
Skirt shell (A+5 x B+5) – cut 1X self
Skirt lining (A x B) – cut 1X lining
Waistband elastic – waist measurement less 6″ [15.25 cm]
Note: Cut all fabrics on the straight grain.
ASSEMBLY
- Mark the center of each fabric piece.
- On the bottom corners of the fashion fabric, measure up 1″ [2.5 cm] and across 1″ [ 2.5 cm]. Join these 2 points with a straight line and cut the corner away.
- Fold this 45° angled line in half with right sides of the fabric together. Pin/baste and sew each corner, using a ½” [1.25 cm] seam allowance, to create a miter in each corner.
- With right sides together (RST), align and match the lining and fashion fabric along the length on both side edges, from the inside corner of the miter to the top edge. NOTE: Remember to allow ½” [1.25 cm] seam allowance on the hem on the lining portion.
- Pin/baste and sew each seam using ½” [1.25 cm] seam allowance. Press the seam allowances towards the lining. Turn this piece right side out.
- Align and match up the centers of each fabric and pin the layers at the top edge. Allow the fashion fabric to turn at the ends and press flat along the fold edges from the top to the mitered corners. Turn the skirt wrong side out.
- Align and match the lining and hem allowance of the fashion fabric along the bottom edge. Pin/baste and sew the bottom edge using ½” [1.25 cm] seam allowance. Press the seam allowance up towards the lining. Turn the skirt right side out.
- Lay out the skirt with the hem away from you and the fashion fabric face up. Fold the fabric along its length so that the 2 sides meet at the center. Measure from the mitered corners 6″ [15.25 cm] and mark the location with a pin. This will be an open slit.
- Working from the open end at the waist, align and match the foldlines from the pin to the top edge. Sew the 2 foldlines together to create the skirt from the inside of the layers.
- Along the top edge, turn under all layers ½” [1.25 cm] to the inside of the skirt and press flat.
- Turn under 1 ¾” [4.5 cm] to create the casing for the elastic waist. Pin/baste the casing through all layers. Press flat.
- Topstitch 1/8″ [0.25 cm] along the fold of the top edge of the skirt.
- Topstitch 1/8″ [0.25 cm] along the bottom edge of the casing, leaving a 2″ [5 cm] opening at the back seam.
- Cut the waistband elastic to your waist measurement less 6″ [15.25 cm] or wrap around the waist and adjust to a proper fit. Using a bodkin, thread the waistband elastic through the casing and secure the ends together. Be certain not to twist the elastic as you do so. Slipstitch the opening in the casing and complete the topstitching on the skirt.
January 1, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Happy 2009 to you and thanks for all of your patterns. This is the look I love. Using these directions, I can show my GD how to construct good clothing. Now, how do I get us to the summertime in the picture?;) Cordially, Nehmah
January 1, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Yes! Thank you. I was just thinking the other day about trying to find a nice simple skirt pattern and I wake up to find one staring me in the face. Happy 2009!
January 2, 2009 at 12:28 am
Hi, I have been a lurker and big fan of your blog. Thank you so much for sharing all your patterns here.
I love wearing Pencil skirts and now thanks to you, I will attempt to make one myself! Yippie. :*)
January 3, 2009 at 12:54 am
thanks Feli…it’s any easy project to do.
January 2, 2009 at 6:51 pm
I can’t imagine this pattern would turn out like the photo..
January 9, 2009 at 10:44 am
I personally have never worn a pencil skirt, but … thanks for the pattern. looks great!
January 12, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Thank you so much for all your wonderful creations. I am starting on this one this afternoon. Love it!!
March 3, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Finally finished my pencil skirt and thanks to your tutorial it fits like a glove. THANK YOU!!!
March 10, 2009 at 4:08 pm
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June 21, 2009 at 9:46 pm
[…] Craft Link : Pencil Skirt Pattern […]
June 24, 2009 at 1:45 am
Thank you so much!!! I have been searching for a pencil skirt pattern forever – you MADE MY DAY. You also demystified how to figure out the proportions. Wonderful instructions; I am making several.
January 7, 2010 at 11:58 am
this is not how you make a pencil skirt. you have to take about 20 measurements to make one correctly.
February 4, 2010 at 3:02 am
I was looking for a pencil skirt patter and came upon this about a week ago. I said to myself -“Too simple. I don’t like elastic waists”. I’m wrong! Made this in a half hour. Love it! Thanks
February 4, 2010 at 7:16 pm
thx Kay ….gather it into a straight waistband if you wish.
February 4, 2010 at 3:04 am
this skirt is exactly what I have been looking for. Is it possible to print the instructions?
February 4, 2010 at 7:17 pm
thx D….be my guest…just remember this skirt draft is only for non-commercial purposes.
WD
May 2, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Hi,
Thank you for this pattern. I’m very confused by some of the directions.
The lining is 5 inches smaller all round than the fashion fabric.
I cut out both pieces and sewed the miter at the end of the fashion fabric.
Q1. Are we meant to sew the miter at a 45 degree angle, across the turned in pieces of fabric?
Q2. Regarding step 2, I assumed you meant miter the hem (when you said bottom corners, I mean). Is that correct?
Q3. Since the fabrics are 5″ different in length, how do we align and match them? Do this from the top, or from the bottom?
I don’t know if I am the only one, but I can’t make sense of the directions. I cut out my fabric and really wanted to wear this skirt tomorrow. I have never sewed a lined skirt before but have done vests. Even though I sew garments and quilts on a daily basis, I can’t figure out these directions. I don’t see how to align things as directed and I cannot for the life of me figure out what is being done with that miter.
Are we supposed to baste/pin/press along the edges that get folded in when that miter is created? Are we supposed to align the fabric to the ends, ignoring that fold?
Please help if you can. I realize this takes effort. I would really appreciate some clarification if you can.
Ros
August 11, 2010 at 7:57 pm
i am just as confused as you on this pattern, did you ever figure it out? did you ever get a reply from this blogsite?
August 12, 2010 at 2:29 am
what is your question, Kathie?
August 11, 2010 at 7:56 pm
i am just as confused as Ros above, can you please clarify the baste/pin/press process along the edges, when the fabric and lining are 5 inches different in width and length?
More detail would be appreciated here, thanks!
August 12, 2010 at 2:28 am
Hi Kathie… Have you tried following the instructions? The fashion fabric is cut larger than the lining to provide a self facing for the skirt along the slit opening and at the hemline. Once you pin the layers together and sew up the seams it will form a “tube”. When you center the layer equally from its center and press it flat, the excess fabric will turn on itself and be neat without any extra finishing. All get turned right side out (FACE UP) through the waist area. The fashion fabric is then turned under, over the lining fabric, to create a casing for the elastic. Hope this explains the mystery to you.
WD
September 23, 2010 at 9:25 pm
i’ve haven’t sewn any clothes ever but i’m learning and i thought it would be easy to sew a pencil skirt. however, i can’t understand your directions at all. i don’t know “sew language” so i had to look up several words like miter and bodkin…anyway, do you have a video to watch? thank you!
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