Somebody pinch me. I can’t believe I am finally releasing my pencil skirt pattern!
Psst…You can grab it here for just $10.
It’s only taken me oh, 9 months to finish it from the time that I said I would start; and it was 6 months before that when I conceived the idea. But I think, worthwhile things take time to incubate. 😉
Let’s talk pencils, shall we?
Named for the closed kick pleat it sports in the back. This high-waisted, knee length pencil skirt gently hugs the hips, slightly forgives the waist, and tapers in at the knees to create a flattering yet modest silhouette.
It zips up at the side with an invisible zipper and is fully lined, giving you a professional looking finished skirt.
SIZING:
The size range is Womens 2 to 18. Not all sizing charts are the same though, so double check your measurements below.
Your size is determined by your waist and hip measurements (they are starred). The finished skirt measurements are just for your reference. If you are in between sizes, no problem! I teach you how to blend your measurements to get a skirt that fits you just right.
MATERIALS:
I grabbed this from the pattern so you can see what kind of fabric you’ll need and how much:
The pattern uses both illustrations and full color photos throughout the instruction portion to help make each step as clear as possible.
It covers how to sew a kick pleat, how to sew darts, how to install an invisible zipper with lining, and how to sew a blind hem.
When you’re done, you will have a beautiful skirt from the inside out.
It’s a great basic skirt that you can dress up or dress down, simply with fabric choice!
SKILL LEVEL: Adventurous Beginner/Intermediate
Despite labeling it Intermediate, I truly believe that if you have some limited apparel sewing experience but attack this pattern with careful reading, a hopeful attitude, and maybe some “draft” fabric for your first attempt, you can sew this as a semi-beginner.
I poured a lot of time and attention into the pattern instruction portion, in hopes that it will teach you what you need to know to successfully sew this skirt, regardless of skill level.
TIME COMMITMENT: 3+ hours or a weekend project.
This depends on your skill level, of course. An adventurous beginner should plan to take a few days or an entire uninterrupted day to work through the pattern. An intermediate+ sewing level can probably complete this project in an afternoon.
I didn’t add extra variations to the pattern, but I have some fun free pattern hacks planned for this skirt in the coming months. So, stay tuned for that! EDITED TO ADD: The Pleated Pencil Skirt Re-Mix Tour full round up is complete! Check it out HERE.
To play along, you’ll have to snag the pattern first. Maybe sew some basic pencils while you wait? 😉
COST: $10. Here is the link to the pattern listing.
(You can also purchase it HERE on Etsy.)
When you sew one up tag your photos on social media with #pleatedpencilskirt and then tag me @deliacreates!
I can’t wait to see what you sew up!
Happy Sewing!
Sources: Blue Chambray from LiMa Sews, Gingham – a woven cotton from Red Tag Apparel section at Jo-Ann, Floral – “Rose Garden” from Legacy Studio, quilter’s cotton from Jo-Ann (proof that you can make quilter’s cotton work IF you find the right print! ;)).
Purchasing now! Not sure when I’ll make one but I want to give it a go!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it!
It’s gorgeous. well done!
Thank you Suz!
I can never find skirts to fit my petite frame!! This looks perfect!
I AM SO EXCITED!! Let’s pretend you waited for me to have a baby so I could sew this up right away 🙂
You got me! That is exactly what I intended. haha. 😉
Gorgeous Delia! You did a fantastic job! It’s beautiful!
Thank you so much Dana! 🙂
Hi! Does the pattern have options for Petites?
Hi Elizabeth. I’m sorry but it does not. It does provide instructions for shortening the skirt if that helps?
I love the floral fabric that you chose for your skirt! . I’ll have to buy it and sew some skirts for my wardrobe since I’ve never owned a pencil skirt before 🙂 And congratulations on making a pattern! I can only imagine the work and stress and long hours that went into this.
Thank you so much Julie! Yes, it has been a labor of love. 🙂 Isn’t that floral fabric fabulous?
Yay it’s out and it looks fantastic! You’re so cute. Congratulations!! 😀
Thank you Kristin!
Are you, by any chance, planning to make this in smaller sizes? I’m kind of a shrimp (23″ waist, 32″ hips), and it seems like patterns are always too big, even in their smallest sizes. I would love to be able to make this, though!
Rebecca,
I am so sorry. I do not plan on grading the skirt any more up or down. I wish I could be of more help! Sorry about that.
Looks gorgeous! Congrats on the pattern release!
Thank you so much Lauren! I owe you an email. I’m trying to get to my emails later this week. 🙂
That is so cute on you! Congratulations on another pattern. =)
I wish I could wear pencil skirts! I look like I’m nothing but hips when I try them.
Thanks Charity! I know pencil skirts aren’t for all body types. The high waist does help to make it more flattering for more body types though.
Cute! What a great skirt! Can’t wait to sew some. 🙂
Thank you Elisa!
Today is my birthday so I’ve decided to do a little sewing for me and make this skirt! I went to JoAnn yesterday to pick out fabric and didn’t even care that it was $16.99 a yard! After all, every mom deserves a pretty skirt right? 😉
Sweet! Splurge fabric is the BEST. Happy Birthday Ashley!
We were considering NOT lining it with the fabric we found. Do you think we can figure it out to skip the lining?
Sure. Skip the skirt lining but still cut out a lining for the waistband (you can use more of the main outer fabric).
Instead of the sewing the full lining to the skirt, sew just the waistband lining to the skirt. Flip it right sides out. Press in place and fold and press the raw edge of the lining under about 1/4″. Pin that folded edge to the waistband seam of skirt on the inside. Top stitch in place. It is best to place pins perpendicular to the folded edge so that you can sew it from the right side of the outer skirt over the pins.
I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any more questions.
Hello,
I am sure you get asked this a thousand times, but is there a way to buy this floral patterned pleated pencil skirt and the light blue skirt already made? I am a college student and do not have a sewing machine nor do I possess that skill.
Thank you in advance. I absolutely adore these styles!
Hi Katie! Thank you for your kind compliments. I wish I had time to make finished items for sale, but I am sorry to say I do not. Sorry I can’t give you a more positive answer. <3
I’m a little bigger than your size 18 measurements. Think I could use your incremental size lines to size it up a bit, given that I’m not a wiz at pattern drafting?
Hi Maria!
I think you could probably make it work, as long as you aren’t going up more than one size or so. Definitely make a muslin and get that to fit just right, then use it as your future pattern for the rest of your skirts. When widening the waistband, I would just add some length to the fold line so as to not alter the shape of the band too much. I hope that helps? Let me know if you have any other questions.
Hi Delia
I am a bit of a noob, and am stuck on the kick pleats instructions in step 2. Is there a tutorial or video somewhere I could follow?
Thanks
Hey Flo! So sorry, but I don’t have a video. I would be happy to walk you through it and help you troubleshoot though. Email me: [email protected] with a detailed note about what part is particularly confusing and I’ll do my best to help. <3 🙂
I’ve read all the instructions and can’t tell if the seam allowance is included in the pattern, or do I need to add the seam allowances when I cut my fabric?
Thanks so much for a great pattern.
Good question! My apologies. The seam allowance is included.
And what is the seam allowance please?
It’s 1/2 inch.
Does this have a maternity hack, by chance
I am sorry to say that it doesn’t. There is a knit pencil skirt hack though: https://www.deliacreates.com/knit-pencil-skirt-pattern-re-mix/ and I have a maternity pencil skirt post: https://www.deliacreates.com/knit-pencil-skirt-pattern-re-mix/
I hope that helps!