As part of my "Summer Capsule" plans, I included a black knit pencil skirt as a basic bottom. I chose the Pirate Pencil Skirt by Patterns for Pirates, both because it's a closely fitted knit skirt, and because it's a free pattern!
This one really is a quick and easy as everyone says it is. There is a front piece and back piece, both cut on the fold, and a waistband that is just a folded piece of knit, no elastic involved. I made the high waist option, my fave style. There's also a walking slit for the below the knee options but I left it out. My knit is stretchy enough not to worry about it. Also my legs are short ;)
I cut this out and sewed it up in one night. The hardest part was my fabric choice. I have a bunch of this textured knit that I thrifted a while ago, and my needle just didn't like it. I switched it out a couple of times, but it was never perfect. So there is a tiny bit of puckering on the side seams, but not enough to notice so I finally just left it.
The only thing I don't like about it is that there are no pockets, of course, in such a fitted skirt. And that waistband is a little high on me, so that the top of it rolls out a bit. I think I will reduce the height by about 1/2" if I make it again so it fits my body a little better. One other small fix is the little bulge of fabric at centre back just below the waistband -- I will need to pinch out a wedge there next time, like a swayback adjustment, so it will lie flat against my spine.
But it could also be that my knit is too lightweight -- it's not a ponte or a scuba -- so I could have used some knit interfacing on the whole waistband piece before stitching it down. Oh well, it's good enough, which is all I am going for here. It's proof of concept, really -- this pattern fits me, cut at an XL at the hip, and L at waist and hem. I think I may make it again in a better quality fabric.
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| Worn with shirt untucked, a bit more Comfortable to breathe in 😉 |
A very elegant looking skirt. Is it too late to make an alteration of a sort to the back? At least now you will have the pattern nailed for future makes. There is always the possibility of a small hanging pocket, on a very narrow belt at the front. Although it may look too worklike. (Could look like the pockets nurses wear sometimes, but maybe that is depending on the design).
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about unpicking the back waistband and making a little tuck at the top to smooth out the excess -- will see if it works! A belt pocket is a great idea, in a fancy fabric I don't think it would look too businesslike. I was also thinking that deep patch pockets that cross the side seams might look kind of retro -- could be cool, could be terrible. Will have to do some sketches!
DeleteYes, make it work!
ReplyDeleteLOL!
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