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Sew Your Own Pencil Skirt in Less Than 30 Minutes

Irene Fucci

Irene is a wedding and portrait photographer currently living in Turin, Italy. In 2013 she co-founded One O, where she shares DIYs, home decor inspiration and travel pictures. When she's not working on a new post, she can be found catching the golden light, sipping a soy cappuccino or trying new braided hairstyles.

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Feb 18, 2016

Sew Your Own Pencil Skirt in Less Than 30 Minutes

Whatever the season, a well-fitted pencil skirt is always in style. This knee-length skirt is not only a wardrobe staple that is universally flattering, its figure-hugging nature also makes it one of the easiest ways to look and feel sexy. So we decided it was time to put our sewing skills to the test and teach you this easy, 20-minute project.

Materials and Tools:

1 yard of stretchy fabric
matching thread
sewing machine
washable marker
pins
fabric scissors
measuring tape
skirt pattern

Instructions:

1. Download and print our pencil skirt pattern. Then fold your fabric in half. Be sure that the stretch is running from left to right, then trace the pattern outline on the fabric using a washable marker or tailor’s chalk.

2. Pin the fabric in place and use your scissors to cut out your first half of the skirt.

3. Repeat to create the other half of the skirt.

4. Place the two halves together with the wrong sides facing you. Then pin and sew down the sides using a zigzag stitch.

5. Fold approximately one inch of fabric at the top and bottom edge, pin and sew.

First be sure to choose the right fabric. I suggest using something stretchy like a jersey cotton. Then download and print our pencil skirt pattern (available in multiple sizes). Set your printer to 100% “tile on multiple sheets,” print and tape together. Then fold the fabric in half with the stretch running from left to right and trace the pattern outline. Next, pin the fabric in place and use your scissors to cut out your first half of the skirt. Repeat to create the other half of the skirt. At this point place the two halves of the skirt together with the wrong sides (the sides you don’t want to show) facing you. Pin and sew down the sides using a zigzag stitch. Lastly, fold about one inch of fabric at the top and bottom edge, pin and sew. And there you have it: a neat and polished skirt.
Wear your pencil skirt with heels and a denim shirt tucked in for work or pair it with a DIY t-shirt and sneakers for your weekend activities.