Producing Ladies Skirt

This project has been designed by Julia Claridge of Bobbins and Buttons in
Leicester. She has recently launched an online fabric shop and offers a range of fun
relaxed sewing classes, which always include homemade bakes. She also designs a range
of clothing for ladies and children some of which are made to order and all can be made
in classes.

The fabric for this project was kindly supplied by Girl Charlee.

This skirt is made to fit you. The quantity of fabric may vary depending on fabric width,
size and required length.

You will need, Medium weight Ponte de Roma or medium-weight jersey fabric – approx.
70cm (fabric used in this example 150cm wide, skirt size 12, length 58cm.

Lining - the same amount as outer fabric

Take your measurements. Measure your natural waistline, hips (the widest part) and the
length you would like the skirt to finish.

I recommend making a simple paper pattern for this skirt but you could mark out directly
on the fabric.

Pattern measurements:

Add 12cm to your hip or waist measurement - which ever is the wider. (If your waist
measurement is larger than your hip measurement this skirt will be a fuller shape). If you
are making a skirt smaller than a size 10 you may want to reduce this addition, likewise
for a size larger than 16 you may need to increase it.

Add 4cm to the required length.

To Sew

1. Draw a rectangle measuring the length required (4cm added) and quarter of the
hip/waist measurement (with the 12cm added).

2. Measure down 1cm from the upper (waist) edge to the centre front seam. Draw a
shallow curve from this point to the outer edge. Mark a point 10cm (for sizes 10-16) in
from the centre front along this waist edge. If you are smaller than a 10 you may need to
bring this point nearer the centre front and if you are larger than a size 16 you may need
to take the point out a little. This is your front skirt pattern. You can use this as the back
skirt pattern but remember to add a 1.5cm seam allowance on the centre back seam.
Pencil skirt basic pattern

Cut one front and two backs in fabric and the same in lining fabric. Cut a waistband
approximately 8cm longer than your waist measurement. The waistband needs to be
twice the width you would like the waistband to be plus 3cm. You can also use waistband
interlining which is super simple.

3. With RST join the centre back seams of both outer and lining leaving an opening of 7”
at the upper edge. Neaten the seams. Press the seams open and apply the zip in the fabric
opening.

Applying a zip

4. Top stitch around the opening of the lining. With RST join side seams of fabric. Do the
same with the lining fabric. Neaten seams and press.

Making a skirt lining

5. Place the lining inside the skirt with wrong sides together, match side seams. Pin and
machine tack together.

Placing a lining inside the skirt

6. From the point you marked on the waist edge of the pattern fold an inverted pleat at all
four points. To find the depth of the pleat take your natural waistline measurement from
the width of the skirt and divide by 4. Each pleat should reduce the skirt by this amount.

Making pleats

7. Apply interfacing to the wrong side of the waistband.

Applying a waistband

8. With RST pin the waistband to the skirt, ensure the band extends beyond the zip by
1.5cm on the left hand edge and let the remainder extend beyond the other side.

Pin waistband

9. Fold the waistband down RST and stitch across the end close to the zipper on the left
edge and approximately 3-4cm away from the zipper on the other side. Trim and turn to
right side.

Fold down waistband

10. Fold the raw edge inside the waistband and slip stitch to the skirt. Finish waistband
by adding a hook and bar. Neaten the raw edge of the skirt hem and press 3cm up. Hand
stitch the hem. Trim 3cm off the lining length. Turn and press a narrow double hem.
Machine stitch.

Completing the waistband

Finished pencil skirt