Let’s start this out with a wardrobe confession: this is my first pencil skirt ever! Not the first one I’ve made, but the first one I’ve worn (or even tried on)! I love the silhouette on other people, but I worried that it wouldn’t do any favors for my rectangular shape. But when I spotted this sweater knit at Mood, I knew it had to be a pencil skirt!
I didn’t have much time to sew this month, and really didn’t want to tinker with fit and muslins, so I used the skirt portion of my vintage McCall’s 5995 pattern and added a waistband. Now I know why Carolyn loves TNT patterns so much– it’s such a breeze to jump right into sewing without worrying about fit! I felt a little dumpy after I put the skirt together, so I pegged it at the hemline (8″ total), and now it feels just right!
I really like this fabric– it’s heavy enough to give me plenty of coverage (no gross bumps, lumps, or panty lines!), but it’s got enough stretch content to make it sleek and figure-hugging. And I love that it’s a subdued (dare I say sophisticated?) spin on a leopard print. I wavered a bit about the fabric at the store, but when I put the bolt down, several other shoppers started hovering around it and I nearly had to wrestle it out of another woman’s arms!
I realized as I was nearly finished with the skirt that I don’t have a single black top. Not one! So I dashed off to Mood at the next available moment and grabbed some organic jersey to make a quick Renfrew. The jersey washed up really soft, and it’s one of my most comfortable tees! I’m sure I’ll be getting lots of use out of it!
How do you guys feel about pencil skirts? Love ’em? Hate ’em? Fearful? And what about animal prints? Do they bring out your inner “meeeeeyooooow”, or do you think they should be reserved only for Real Housewives of Wherever?
Editor’s note: Check out Mood’s sweater and novelty knits here to make a skirt like Ginger’s. And Ginger, we’re all for animal prints here at Mood!
