Peggy Pencil Skirt

Peggy Pencil Skirt

Difficulty Level = Beginner

The Peggy Pencil Skirt comes in mini, knee or midi lengths. It’s designed specifically for knit/stretch fabrics, and just pulls on over the hips. There are no zips or other fastenings so it’s a very fast, easy sew.  

The side seams taper inwards for a flattering, slim fit. Additionally, there is both an optional ‘walking vent’ in the center back for more ease or a regular back seam option for a more form fitting skirt. It’s quick, it’s elegant and it’s perfect for showcasing your favorite stretch fabrics!

There are two different fit styles – a regular pencil skirt style, or a much tighter bodycon type style. The pencil skirt style has a slight negative ease and will stretch slightly to fit over your hips and waist. The bodycon style has significant negative ease and will cling very closely to the body.

NOTE – This skirt is very similar to the skirt-only part of our Dreamy Drape pattern pack. The skirt is the same length and fit, however it is slimmer and tapers inwards as the skirt goes downwards. The construction is the same. 

Our Facebook group is a great place to get help, share your tips and creations! We are a friendly bunch, and we love to help and see what you have made.

Please read the full instructions before getting started.

Wash, dry, and press your fabric before starting your project. A bit of prep now prevents shrinking and means your garment will stay the same size you made it.

Never leave a child or baby unattended or allow to sleep in a garment made from one of our patterns with ties, snaps, buttons, or anything they could remove, choke on, or get caught on. Always use caution if you are unsure. We love our patterns, but we love your bundles of joy more!

Size Range

Womens XXS-5XL

Size Chart

This pattern is drafted to the sizes listed below. If you are between sizes, choose the larger size and adjust the pattern to remove the extra width to achieve the intended fit.

Finished Measurements (Inches)

• Sizing – Sizing is different in different countries and stores, so please measure your model before picking your size. The ready-to-wear size your model normally fits into may be different from our size chart.
• Picking your size – If you fall into two different sizes for your waist and hips, print both sizes using the layers feature. Then grade between the sizes by drawing a smooth line between the appropriate waist and the appropriate hip measurement. Continue down the side seams and hem using your hip measurement size.
• Negative ease – The skirt has a slight negative ease. This means the waistband, waist, and hips will be slightly smaller than your body measurements. How much smaller will depend on where you are within your size range. This is to help keep the skirt on the body. If you prefer more or less negative ease, adjust at the side seams to make the skirt smaller or larger.
• Fit – There are two different fit options:
  • ‘Pencil’ fit 
    • This is a more traditional knit pencil skirt finish. 
    • If you are at the top of your size range (e.g. the maximum measurement in your size range), the finished skirt will be 0.5 to 1 inches smaller than your body measurement at the waist and slightly more at the hips. This difference creates the negative ease and will stop the skirt from sliding down as you are wearing it. It will be slim fitting but not tight. 
    • If you are not at the top of your size range (e.g. you are not the maximum measurement in your size range), you may need to take the skirt in slightly when you do the side seams to get the intended fit. Try the skirt on inside out and pin down the side seams to see how much you need to take in. Then adjust as desired.
  • ‘Bodycon’ fit – 
    • This is a very snug, tight fitting pencil skirt that will cling to the body. The skirt should not be uncomfortable but just very snug. This fit is only suitable if your knit fabric has at least 40% stretch, and good stretch recovery (the fabric bounces back to the original measurement when you stretch it and hold it stretched for some time). 
    • If you are at the top of your size range (e.g. the maximum measurement), the finished skirt will be approximately 5 inches smaller than your waist and slightly more at the hips. This will stretch the fabric as you wear it and create a very tight fitting skirt. 
    • If you are not at the top of your size range, you may wish to do as above and try the skirt on inside out when you do the side seams, and pin or baste the side seams in further to get a tighter bodycon-type fit. 
• Waistband – The waistband of the skirt is designed to be worn around the waist and top of the hips, starting at the belly button. This allows the skirt to sit from the top of the hips downwards as a skirt normally would.
• Height – The skirt is designed for a ladies height of 5 foot 6 inches. Check the finished garment lengths above to see how long the option is you would like on you. If you wish to lengthen or shorten the skirt, there are lengthen/shorten lines marked on the pattern pieces.
• Muslin – For the best fit, make a muslin (a test garment out of inexpensive fabric) using the front and back pattern pieces only to check the fit (omit the waistband).
• If you get stuck with fitting, see our favorite resources on our Pinterest Sewing Fitting Advice board. 

Fabric needs to be a stretch / knit fabric. 2- or 4-way stretch fabric will work. Do not use a woven fabric. Suggested fabrics are – Cotton lycra 5%, rayon, viscose, bamboo, ITY jersey, cotton jersey, French terry, hacci sweater knit, interlock, and ponte. Make sure to check the weight of your fabric to ensure it is opaque enough that you are happy with it when it is stretched slightly (some lighter weight knits can be slightly transparent or see through).

We recommend at least 30% stretch for the pencil skirt fit, and 40% for the bodycon fit. To check how much stretch your fabric has, take a piece of fabric, and pull along its stretch. If it allows you to stretch it at least 40% longer than its original length, then it has at least 40% stretch. I.e. A 2-inch piece of fabric (unstretched) should be able to be stretched to 2.8 inches. 

The fabric weight will also determine which fabric is more suitable for which fit. Nearly all medium weight knits with 40% stretch or more will work for the pencil skirt fit. However, a heavier knit such as a scuba will work well for the pencil skirt but will feel uncomfortably snug for the bodycon fit. If you are unsure if your fabric is suitable, go for the pencil skirt fit, and then adjust the side seam as per the fitting notes to get a tighter fit if you prefer it.

The stretch recovery of your fabric is just as important as the stretch percentage. This will ensure your skirt maintains its shape and fit for as long as possible and does not become baggy. To test the stretch recovery (elasticity), simply check that when you stretch your piece of fabric it returns back to its original size. 

Fabric Requirements 45 inches/115 cm wide (in YARDS)

Fabric Requirements 60 inches/150 cm wide (in YARDS)

Settings

The pattern is a separate download. Choose either the US letter paper, A4 paper, or A0 paper size based on the printer you wish to use. If you are in the US or Canada then your printer will likely use US letter paper. Other regions normally use A4 paper. Some people prefer to print their patterns at a print shop: A0 is best in this case.

Print at 100%.

On the second page, you will find a 1-inch and a 3-inch square test box. Print this page first, on its own, and measure these squares.

Once you are happy that the test box is accurate, print the rest of the pattern pages.

Please follow this video for information and assistance on assembling this pattern.

Also, please note that some Rebecca Page patterns and projects also come with cut files and a printable design page which you can use to plan your project if you wish. These are provided in a separate section below to avoid any confusion!

Cut each of the pieces according to the directions on the pattern piece. Seam allowances are all included so just cut them as is.

Before cutting, decide which fit you prefer – ‘pencil’ or ‘bodycon’. To decide:

1. Read the fitting notes
2. Read the fabric notes 

If in doubt, use the pencil skirt fit, and then try it on and adjust the skirt at the side seams step to take it in if you want it snugger. 

For the pencil fit, use the Front, Back and Waistband pattern pieces marked ‘Pencil Fit’. For the bodycon fit, use the Front, Back and Waistband pattern pieces marked ‘Bodycon Fit’.

Cutting Charts – All pattern pieces are included, however, if you prefer to cut using a cutting chart, the dimensions for the rectangular pieces (in INCHES) are below:

Cutting Checklist
From either the ‘Pencil Fit’ or ‘Bodycon Fit’ pattern pieces,

• 2x Back Skirt (1x mirror image pair)
• 1x Front Skirt cut on fold
• 1x Waistband

NOTE – To cut fabric on the fold, fold your fabric over parallel to the selvage edges. Align the pattern piece so it is on the fold of the fabric. Cut around the edges, leaving the fold. If you have folded your fabric correctly the fold will be parallel to the two edges of the fabric that are finished. The raw edges (e.g. the ones you could pick at and threads would come off) will be at a right angle to your fold.

⅜ inch seam allowance included 

Preparation – 

1. DART MARKINGS – Transfer dart markings to Back Skirt pieces.  

Sewing –

1. BACK DARTS – Sew dart. Press toward center back. Repeat for other side.  
2. SKIRT BACK – NO WALKING VENT: Sew back seam, right sides together. Press seam open. WALKING VENT: Mark vent notch. For the mini length, measure 2 inches from the raw edge up. For the knee length, measure 3 inches from the raw edge up. For the midi length, measure 4 inches from the raw edge up. Right sides together, sew from waist to vent notch. Press seam open. Topstitch around vent.  
3. SIDE SEAMS – Right sides together, sew Front to Back. Press seams open.  
4. HEM – Press hem up ¾ inch and stitch.  
5. WAISTBAND – Sew short ends of Waistband, right sides together.  Fold Waistband in half, wrong sides together. Quarter Waistband and top of skirt. Match quarter points and sew, stretching only the Waistband.  Flip band up and press seam allowance down.

Congratulations, your Peggy Pencil Skirt is done. Enjoy! 

We would love to hear how you got on and see photos of your finished project!

Join us at our Facebook Group, tag us on Instagram, or use the hashtag #rppeggypencilskirt.

Thank you for using a Rebecca Page pattern.

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