How to Make Your Own Banded Pencil Skirt

A banded pencil skirt can easily go from a day in class to a night out.

Banded pencils skirts have become popular due to their body-hugging shape. The skirts can also easily transition from day to night with little effort. Throw on a baggy shirt, a simple belt and a pair of sandals for a casual look. Then at night, switch your top to a bustier and your shoes to some heels, and have a fun night on the town. The skirts are so simple to make, you can easily make one in many colors and patterns.

Things You'll Need

• 1 yard of stretch cotton fabric
• 2-inch-wide elastic
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Needle
• Butcher paper
• Pencil
• Fabric tape measure
• Iron
• Starch (optional)

Instructions

1. Measure your waist, hips and skirt length. The length of the skirt should start at the top and go 3 inches above the knee. Then stand with your legs together and measure around both thighs.

2. Draw a pattern on the butcher paper using the measurements in Step 1, making sure to add 2 inches to all measurements for seam allowances. Cut the pattern from the butcher paper. You will use this as the template for your skirt.

3. Fold the fabric in half and lay it on the table. Using the straight pins, pin the template to the fabric. Then cut the fabric along the template. You should have two pieces.

4. Lay the fabric right-sides together -- as if the skirt were inside-out. Using a tape measure, measure 2 inches from the edge of the fabric and pin the fabric together. Place the pins all the way to the bottom.

5. Sew the two pieces of fabric together. Once you have sewn the fabric together, remove the pins.

6. Measure 2 inches at the bottom of the skirt and fold over. Place the straight pins at the fold all the way around the skirt. Sew the hem of the skirt, and then remove the pins.

7. Measure the elastic using your waist measurements. Fold the fabric over the elastic, and pin the fabric together. Sew the waist of the skirt, and then remove the pins.

8. Iron the hem of the skirt to make a permanent crease. Use starch if necessary. Turn the skirt outside-in, and iron the remaining material.

Tips & Warnings

• Banded skirts are known for their flirty appeal, so you can make the skirt as tight and short as you like.

References

• The Complete Book of Sewing: Full Step-by-Step Techniques; Wendy Gardiner
• Weekend Sewing; Heather Ross
• What the Craft: How to Make a Pencil Skirt