Skirt Inspiration & Tutorials - Pencil Skirts

Did yesterday's skirts hook you in to my Summer of No Pants Challenge? Or are you too sophisticated to indulge in ruffles? I'll get you sewing yet, my pretty.

Today we are looking at Pencil Skirts.  Again, click on the titles to take you to the patters and/or tutorials:

Long Pencil Skirt by retretretretretret on Craftster
This is a nice tutorial on making a basic, lined pencil skirt.  I love the high-waist and below-the-knee look, and this one has a pleat on the back so you don't have to take little Morticia Adams steps. Simple, beautiful. What more do you need in a skirt?

Draped Skirt by Stephanie on anywho
This one is a Burberry knockoff.  It looks a bit complicated, but the instructions actually seem pretty simple.  This might be a little much for everyday wear, but I think it would make a super cute cocktail mini.  Too bad Steve never takes me anyplace nice (say that in a whiny Edith Bunker voice for full effect).

Sporty Knit Skirt by The Sleepy Time Gal
Okay, so this one is a tutorial for a child's skirt, but with a little more yardage, the instructions can be very easily adapted to an adult size.  I love knit skirts--there is nothing more comfortable, and a ribbed knit with a sleek pencil line like this skirt looks a lot more dressy than it feels.  And because it's knit, no hemming necessary!  I think I want a whole rainbow of these in my summer closet. 

Kasia by Burdastyle
I'm not a huge fan of loud prints, but I love the military style button front of this skirt.  Check out some of the finished projects in a different fabric combinations.  There is one in navy with white polkadots and white buttons that has a cute vintage sailor-girl feel, and a lovely, romantic version in deep bordeaux with a cream ruffle.  The buttons and front panel have a nice belly-flattening effect, too.

Natty's Scalloped Skirt by Natty Jane on Burdastyle
This is a sleeker version of the Ruffled Petticoat that I posted about yesterday.  Unfortunately, this one doesn't have a pattern, but she does describe her process.  I love it so much that I wanted to include it in this roundup even without a tute or pattern.  If you'd like to give this one a shot, Vain and Vapid has a great Scalloped Edge Tutorial (via Zom) that could easily be adapted to this project.  I love the black and white for going out, and I think this skirt would be gorgeous for every day wear in cream and white, or in deepening shades of blue.


Sweet Hot Tips:

Skirt Block and Pencil Perfection by Julia B on House of Marmalade
Julia from House of Marmalade has put together some very clear, easy-to-follow instructions on how to make a personalized skirt block:

"A pattern 'block' or 'sloper' is a blueprint of your body, on paper.  When you have made a skirt block to your own measurements, virtually any style of skirt can be made and adapted from the basic block, and because you will have fitted it perfectly the first time, then subsequent fittings and adjustments will be minimal and easy to do."

Check it out!  She even includes a downloadable design sheet  to make it easier to draft your block.


Hit your Mark With Darts by Mary Travis on Threads
This is a nice little article on how to add darts to your skirts.  Darts are a really nice way to custom shape a pencil skirt around your body


What are you still wearing pants for?  Join my Flickr Group and start posting your skirts next Monday.
Up tomorrow: Patchwork and Scrappy skirts