Ultimate Pencil Skirt

Reviewed by Sarah Boddey on 4th April, 2018

I have made two of these pencil skirts – the first in a polyester suiting material when I was very early on in my sewing ‘journey’ and more recently (18 months later) in a herringbone wool. Both times I found the pattern and instructions super easy to follow although I did have to grade between sizes at the hips as I was 12 at the waist and 14 at the hips – very easy to do on Sew Over It patterns as they are nested. I also took 8cm off the length as I wanted it on my knee line rather than below it. The high waist is super flattering and keeps all my wobbly bits held in! For the suiting fabric I simply overlooked the seams as it was comfortable to wear against my skin. As the wool would have been quite itchy against my legs on such a close-fitting garment I chose to line it. It was the first time I’ve ever lined anything and I was a little scared but it was actually super easy. Make up the outer skirt and insert the invisible zip as per the instructions. Then work on the lining before tackling the waistband. Just cut out the front and back pieces of the pattern again in a lining fabric (I used a basic acetate in navy blue) and make them up in exactly the same way as the main skirt. Then place the lining skirt inside the main skirt, wrong sides together. Then sew the lining to the sides of the zip tape. At the kick pleat part on the lining, simply make it a straight slit/split rather than a kick pleat – just cut and fold over the edges of the lining fabric from a couple of inches below the zip end down to the hem and sew. I then tacked the lining and main fabrics together all around the waistband and then prepared the waistband as per the instructions which simply fitted over the lining. For the hem of the lining fabric just make sure it’s a good 3 inches higher than the hem of the main fabric so there’s no chance of it poking out. I also added swing catches/thread chains between each of the side seams of the lining and the main fabric to stop the lining skirt twisting around as you move. There’s lots of videos on YouTube to show you show to make these, such as this one https://youtu.be/deG8ySkS2vs All in all a simple enough make, even if you do have to line it and I’ll definitely be making more of these. In fact i’ve ordered a stretch suiting fabric already for my next one so I’ll pop some more pictures up when I make that. I’m presuming with stretch in the fabric that I’ll be able to make it particularly close fitting and still have room to expand into if I have a big lunch ? Happy Sewing!