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Pencil Skirt Pattern Recommendations
knitpony   Member since 2/18/08 Posts: 10	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/28/12 1:43 PM I need to make a pencil skirt for my 19 yo daughter. She is about a size 6 but has thicker thighs from riding. Every pencil skirt she tries on in the stores just emphasize her hip area because they are so tight. Any recommendations, especially from the big pattern companies because I only have a week before she returns to school. Thank you!
Lucy in Virginia   Advanced Beginner VA USA Member since 12/20/07 Posts: 264	Login to reply to this post In reply to knitpony << Like this post Date: 12/28/12 2:34 PM You may need to adjust any pattern you end up choosing to accommodate for her muscles! If you (or your Public Library) have Fit for Real People, it has a plethora of different adjustments to make for all sorts of body types. But if you take her measurements, you can cheat by choosing a multi-sized pattern to match her hip size and then grading to the next smaller size as needed for her waist. Also, you can take a straight skirt pattern, fit it, then peg it to a pencil skirt by taking it in. Start approximately 10" down from top of skirt, but she should be wearing it the first time you try this so you'll be able to know where to start. Not sure how pegged she wants it, but if it's a lot, make sure the pattern incorporates a slit or vent. I like the Magic Pencil Skirt from Pamela's Patterns because it is made with a knit (quite forgiving and stretchy) and, with 1 pattern piece, will sew up in about an hour. BUT it has no vent or slit (although you could add one in the side seam). Here are some other recommendations that others on this website recommend: Burda 7252 and 8155 (first one doesn't look too pencil-y to me, but you can change that) Simplicity 2475 Good luck and keep us posted! ------ Total Stash at end of 2011 -- 700 yds. ??... 2012 Total Items Sewn -- 14 2012 Total Stash Used -- 28.125 (yay!) Remaining stash, including new purchases -- about 708.38 yds 2012 Goal: 700 yds. or less for Dec. 31, 2012. Machines: Babylock Ellisimo; Viking Platinum 770; Brother 900D Serger: Baby Lock Evolve
knitpony   Member since 2/18/08 Posts: 10	Login to reply to this post In reply to Lucy in Virginia << Like this post Date: 12/28/12 5:51 PM Thank you Lucy, I like the Burda 8155 and will pick it up this weekend. It's not that her thighs are hugh but that so many brands fit pencil skirts to be skin tight, unless you get into a more expensive brand. And this is why I sew.....
marymary86 Intermediate GA USA Member since 7/20/08 Posts: 2202	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/28/12 9:21 PM Pamela's Pencil Skirt pattern is on my wish list.... ------ Mary http://checkmatesystem.com
Vintage Joan Intermediate Member since 7/16/07 Posts: 9248	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/29/12 0:21 AM Other Burda pencil skirts: 8765 7124 as well as the pencil skirts that are included in some Burda suit patterns ------ my shield and my very great reward (Gen. 15:1) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ http://clearingclearing.weebly.com/
frellit Beginner AUSTRALIA Member since 5/28/12 Posts: 26	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 12/29/12 0:51 AM I can't help with the pattern, but I have big thighs and find that pencil skirts with a waist yoke seem to be more flattering. A slightly thicker fabric helps too I think, some of them that I've tried on seem to show every bump!
beauturbo Advanced CA USA Member since 5/2/09 Posts: 1449	Login to reply to this post In reply to knitpony << Like this post Date: 12/29/12 4:20 AM Maybe Vouge 8750? http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/newsletters/img.sewingtoday.com/cat/20000/add_img/V8750.gif In a size 6, sewn as shown it's a finished 36 inches around at hips. But it has a lot of up and down seams, more than most, and each seam is a place to fool around with and take more or less seam allowance, just anyplace you want too. A bit of stretch in the fabric might not hurt any either. It also has about a 3/4 top yoke effect. I think all that seaming does bring attention to your hips and butt though, so if trying to actually just hide that, maybe it would just place more attention there, but also, sometimes if you got it, maybe just flaunt it too. Also if all attention is on your hips and butt, in a good flattering way, maybe less even on your thighs!
chenille   Advanced Beginner AK Member since 7/4/11 Posts: 456	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/2/13 3:41 PM you might want to look at vogue 8697 I have made that and it was easy to fit because of all the seams. I have bigger thighs from running and it is an issue with fitting for me too. Joanne's also has Vogue patterns on sale this week.
Sew4Fun Advanced AUSTRALIA Member since 6/23/04 Posts: 4838	Login to reply to this post In reply to knitpony << 1 member likes this. Date: 1/2/13 4:10 PM I have muscular front thighs and for this reason I don't wear pencil skirts. I have exactly the same issue with RTW and sewing patterns as your DD. Pencil skirts not only emphasis my thighs, making them look way bigger than they are, but they are uncomfortable to wear, even when fitted properly, because thighs spread when you sit. Instead I wear straight skirts. That is skirts that hang straight from the hip. As long as the fabric isn't stiff I find because of my muscular front thighs they give the look of a pencil skirt anyway. My thighs push the fabric out from the front which makes the sides curve in at the hem. I get the look and the comfort. Those lucky enough not to have "thighs" need to taper the hem to emphasize the hip curve, whereas my curves do all the work for me. My advice, start with a straight skirt pattern and pin fit the side seams until you get both the fit and comfort your DD wants. When you have larger thighs it's easier to start with too much fabric then take in the seams. I find the side seams on my skirts end up being different. While the back is usually a straight line from the hip down, the front curves out over the thighs then tapers back in, ever so slightly at the hem. Not as much as a pencil skirt but there is a slight taper. This works for me. Just make sure your DD sits in the skirt before sewing up the seams. HTH -- Edited on 1/2/13 4:56 PM -- ------ Belinda. Melbourne, Australia http://sew-4-fun.blogspot.com/
Clareew   Intermediate UNITED KINGDOM Member since 5/10/06 Posts: 923	Login to reply to this post In reply to chenille << Like this post Date: 1/2/13 4:18 PM Chenille, I hadn't spotted that skirt, I love the look of it. ------ Clare Blog: http://art-by-clare.blogspot.co.uk/ Machines: Juki F600, Juki 654 serger, Bernina 550 for art work, Janome Coverpro 1000cp barely used A Singer Featherweight Centennial and an old Necci in the loft waiting for TLC http://art-by-clare.blogspot.co.uk/

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