Pencil Skirt with Off-Centre Button Placket
A women's pencil skirt with an asymmetric overlapping front: the right front panel crosses over the left in a long curved line from waist to hem and fastens with four buttons below a straight waistband.
When To Wear
- For the office with a blouse or a fitted jacket.
- In autumn and spring with tights and a fine knit top.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: Fitted pencil shape, narrowing slightly towards the hem.
Length: Just above the knee.
Front: Two front panels with waist darts. The right panel overlaps the left along a curved edge topstitched 0.1 cm from the fold; interfaced facings back both edges. The opening runs from the waist to the end of the button closure and is closed below with a horizontal stitch line.
Closure: Four buttons with buttonholes at the top of the overlap. The inner end of the waistband is held by hooks and eyes.
Waist: Straight interfaced waistband following the overlap of the front.
Back: One piece cut on the fold, with two darts; no back seam and no zip.
Finishing: Hem overlocked, turned and blind-stitched by hand.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. A curved faced overlap with several lines of stitching to mark, buttonholes, a waistband with finished ends.
Fabric Recommendations
Lightweight suiting fabrics in natural or blended fibres.
Additional Supplies
- Fusible interfacing (waistband and both facings)
- 4 buttons
- 2 hooks and 2 eyes
Cutter's Must
- From main fabric:
- 1. Right front - 1 piece
- 2. Left front – 1 piece
- 3. Back – 1 piece on fold
- 4. Waistband – 1 piece
- 5. Right facing – 1 piece
- 6. Left facing – 1 piece
- From fusible interfacing:
- 1. Waistband – 1 piece
- 2. Right facing – 1 piece
- 3. Left facing – 1 piece
Sewing Instructions
- Fuse fusible interfacing to the waistband and facings.
- Stitch darts on the front and back skirt panels. Press seam allowances towards the center.
- Overlock the outer and lower edges of the facings. Overlock the relief edge on the left. Attach facings to the panels. Turn facings inwards and press. On the left, stitch along the marking from the top to the end of the closure, securing the facing to the left. On the right, stitch a securing seam from the top to the end of the placket 0.1 cm from the edge. Turn the outer edge of the right inwards and topstitch onto the left 0.1 cm from the edge, continuing the seam that secures the facing. Fold back the left and stitch along the marking from the top to the end of the closure, securing the facing to the right. Along the marking on the right, stitch to secure the seam allowance of the left. Stitch a horizontal seam at the bottom of the closure.
- Stitch and overlock the side seams. Press seam allowances towards the back.
- Attach the waistband to the upper edge of the skirt. Stitch the ends of the waistband, trim seam allowances at the corners and turn out. Fold under the inner edge of the waistband and topstitch into the attaching seam. Press the waistband when finished.
- Overlock the hem allowance, press to the wrong side and hem with blind stitches.
- Mark and make buttonholes. Sew on buttons. Sew on hooks and eyes.
