Any regular visitor to this site will notice that I am often to be seen wearing an assortment of pencil /straight skirts. They are all drafted from the same 1940′s pattern which I found a number of years ago on the now defunct Vintage Sewing Info site – I downloaded a number of the pattern formula for an assortment of garments. This one is quite simple and straightforward and with the aid of the tutorial should make drafting your own sloper, basic/block skirt a synch.
This is the formula as it appeared on the site which I used and I will draft the pattern using my own measurements and post shortly together with a number of small alterations to the basic block/sloper.
The fabric highlighted is a furnishing remnant picked up locally for a pound or so, I love brocade and the embroidered flower motifs are a real feature – the like of which has been seen in recent times on the catwalk.
I have since reduced the waistband at the back to two buttons and kept the depth at the front.
I would be interested to hear from anyone out there who remembers vintageswing.info a marvellous resource, or anyone who knows what happened to it. I am happy to post a number of the pattern formula and information I downloaded, however I am not sure where I stand regarding copyright etc, so would have to look into it, again if anyone knows the answer then I would be only to happy to share.
Pencil skirts are my hands down favorite! Such a flattering and classy look for just about everyone! Love your fabric on this one.
Thank you, can’t go wrong with the basic sloper once perfected, choice of fabric and a few tweaks and its a completely different skirt – easy too
Oooh, this is gorgeous, I LOVE the fabric and the fact that you used upholstery fabric. I find it criminal when I go somewhere and the furniture is better dressed than I am!
I’ve not been sewing long enough to know of that site you mentioned, but would definitely be interested in the pattern formulas. I don’t know too much about copyright laws and the internet, but do think that you can quote / copy sites with credit given. It would be different if you were to, say, write a book and use their information as if it were your own. (i.e., plagiarism).
Thanks for this, Yes, I could blend in with the sofa but its a risk I’m willing to take!
Thanks too for your views on the copyright – I think your right – it was a comprehensive free resource at the time and happy to give credit – who knows might kick start it back to life!
This is really beautiful. I LOVE the fabric! It is so pretty… looks like the perfect skirt. It is on my list to draft my own pencil skirt BUT I am trying to lose a little weight before doing so. I DO love a good pencil skirt! -Laurie
Thank you Laurie, Pencil skirts look good on everyone and once you have your sloper perfected you can grade up or down – give it a go. I will do a post soon on drafting and make up. easy
Thank you for the encouragement! I will look forward to your post on drafting-
When I was in 10th grade, I used to just wrap a piece of fabric about myself and sew it up the back, add a zipper, and then pinch in 2 darts in front and 2 in back, and add a waistband. After heming, i was good to go. Now i almost never wear a skirt, I do think about it once in a while, but the granny shoes with the arch supports need socks, which does nothing for a skirt. Usually just wear pants except for special occasions, but i remember when it was fun to wear clothes that were pretty.
This is how my daughter makes clothes!! young people have no patience!, I cannot get her to follow a pattern she’d rather take a length of fabric and have a go with the scissors! You sound like you got some results tho! So sorry your not for wearing skirts, please, please wear pretty clothes you’re a woman, celebrate and enjoy – your more lovely than you realise and anyway Granny chic is very now!
Beautiful skirt!!! Very flattering.
Beth
Thank you Beth, now if the weather would improve I might be able to wear it outside!!
We need to do lunch in our pencil skirts. Now,that material is beautiful. It looks like a winter white but also good for spring and summer. I don’t know what happened to the vintage site. It’s unfortunate that it is gone it was a great resource. Here is an archive if you’d like.
http://web.archive.org/web/20070103111428/http://www.vintagesewing.info/1940s/42-mpd/mpd-toc-short.html
If I win the lottery I will come visit you and we will do lunch – my treat! Thanks for the link, I’ll be taking a look at that.
One more thing. What type of vent or split did you do in the back? Is that a french vent. Not sure what they are called. I did just a straight vent, but I think next time I’d like to draft something more classic.
Oh, and another thing. Here is an interesting take on the issue of copyright and Harriet Pepin’s book. I actually thought it was in the public domain and could be easily and freely downloaded. But, this blogger says differently.
http://sewcraftful.com/muse-video/a-great-book-thats-not-in-the-public-domain-fundamentals-of-apparel-design-by-harriet-pepin-berger-1948/
Ack! Sorry, maybe you weren’t even talking about Pepin’s book. I’d better just get off the computer now.
LOL! thanks for your comments!
I will have a look at Pepin’s book sounds interesting so thanks for that.
The vent is I think you would call French – though I’m not familiar with that term. What I do for all these straight skirts is extend the seam allowance (sa) at the back vent, notch into the sa and press the two parts of the sa to the one side. Turn skirt to the right side and top-stitch a diagonal line to keep the vent in place. This is the best – as a split will tear the fabric with the strain in that area.
I will show how on the pattern to add the vent and then a tute on making up the skirt – and this can be done on all straight skirt patterns – very easy
Oh, that would be great! I like the stability of the vent vs. just a slit in the back. I’ll be watching for it.