Okay, so I’ve been wanting to get into sewing, and I thought a pencil skirt would be a good, relatively simple project to start with. I mean, it’s basically just a tube, right? How hard could it be? Famous last words, I guess.
Finding a Pattern
First things first, I needed a pattern. I could have tried to draft one myself, but honestly, I’m not there yet. So, I hopped online and after a while, I finally chose the pattern I wanted.
Choosing the Fabric
Next up: fabric. This actually took me a while. I knew I wanted something with a little bit of stretch for comfort, and I didn’t want anything too flimsy. I ended up going to that big store and, after wandering around for like, an hour, I finally found a nice, sturdy knit fabric in dark gray. It wasn’t super exciting, but I figured it would be a good, versatile color.
Cutting and Marking
So, I got the fabric home, washed and dried it (gotta pre-shrink that stuff!), and then laid it all out on my dining room table. I used pattern weights, then carefully cut out all the pieces. Then came the marking. I used those tracing wheels and paper things. It felt pretty professional, even though I had to look up a YouTube video to double-check how to use them properly.
Sewing It Up
This is where things got… interesting. My sewing machine, is ancient. It works, but it’s definitely seen better days. Anyway, I started sewing the side seams, following the pattern instructions. It was slow going, and I definitely made a few mistakes. Thank goodness for seam rippers, am I right?
I had a bit of trouble with the darts. My machine was like, eating the fabric at the points. After a few (okay, maybe more than a few) attempts, and some serious deep breaths, I managed to get them done. They’re not perfect, but they’re there.
The Zipper
Then, I insert a zipper. I won’t lie, I was a little. I watched a bunch of videos, and I even practiced on some scrap fabric first. It took a couple of tries, but I finally got it in! It’s not the prettiest zipper installation ever, but it works.
Finishing Touches
Finally, I hemmed the bottom. After some struggle, there it was. My very own, handmade pencil skirt!
The Verdict
It’s definitely not perfect. There are some wonky seams, and the zipper is a little… rustic. But, you know what? I made it! And it actually fits! I’m pretty proud of myself, even if it did take me way longer than I thought it would. I’m already planning my next project – maybe a simple top this time. Gotta keep practicing!
