Straight skirts, a wardrobe staple, can be made easily by beginners. Many straight skirt patterns have plenty of design features to help you increase your skill set, including couture techniques. Below, you’ll find a selection of patterns to get you started. Opt for short or below-the-knee length, and consider adding button or pocket details.
These patterns are perfectly suited for wovens such as cotton canvas, twill, denim, corduroy, and sateen; linen and linen blends; wool flannel and tweed; brocade; and silk/wool blends.
To get the best fit in one of these skirts, read Tips for Fitting a Straight Skirt from Threads #214, Spring 2021.
McCalls 8051, Misses’ Pencil Skirts In Five Lengths
This skirt is easy to sew and an ideal starting point for beginners. The pattern, a reissue of the popular McCall’s 3830 pattern, offers five lengths. All versions feature front and back darts, back zipper, faced waist, and optional belt loops. The three longest versions include a back vent. If desired, replace the topstitched center zipper with an invisible zipper. Available sizes are 6 to 22 (waist 23 inches to 37 inches, hip 32 1/2 inches to 46 inches).
Blueprints for Sewing A-Frame Pencil Skirt
The Blueprints for Sewing A-Frame Pencil Skirt is inspired by the iconic A-Frame house. The straight pencil skirt has a kick pleat at the center back seam. The swingy A-Line skirt is a great option as well (even if it doesn’t fit the straight skirt roundup, it fits!). Both versions feature triangular seaming, pockets, a center back zipper, and buttoned waistband. The pattern features alterations instructions for proportion adjustment (different sizes at waist and hip) and shorten/lengthen adjustment. The PDF includes all sizes A-P (waist 26 inches to 52 inches, hips 35 inches to 61 inches).
Liesl+ Co. Extra Sharp Pencil Skirt
You could call this classic, unlined skirt sharp as a pencil. The pattern includes two lengths with side panels, a back yoke detail, a center-back invisible zipper, and a back walking vent. There are no darts, but the fit can be personalized by adjusting the seams of the front- and back-side panels. Consider making the side panels in contrasting fabric. Sizes 0 to 20 (waist 25 inches to 38 1/2 inches, hip 35 inches to 48 1/2 inches).
Sew Over It, Ultimate Pencil Skirt
This fabulous high-waisted pencil skirt pattern includes a kick pleat at the back. Designed to rise above the natural waist, the pattern also has four darts and a concealed zipper in the back. The skirt top is finished with an interfaced waist facing. The Ultimate Pencil Skirt comes in UK sizes 8 to 20 (waist 26 inches to 38 inches, hip 36 inches to 48 inches).
Charm Patterns Stanwyck Skirt
This one pattern includes enough design features to make 81 different skirts. We are focusing on the snug pencil skirt. Its seemingly endless options of waistband shapes, pocket styles, and a bib and shoulder straps, makes this pattern perfect for beginners yet challenging for advanced sewers. Sizes range from 2 to 20 (waist 24 inches to 42 inches, hip 36 inches to 54 inches).
Simplicity 8792 Skirt
In just one pattern, you’ll find five variations on a fitted straight skirt with intriguing closure options. Front and back panel seams make fitting straightforward. Read our full pattern review here.
Vogue 9209 Skirt
A slimming, straight wrap skirt is a wardrobe staple. The design comes in three lengths: above the knee, just below the knee, and midcalf. Read our full pattern review here.
Sewing tip: Consider making bound buttonholes, working and faux, to give the skirt a vintage couture look.
Add Flare to a Skirt: Download Full- and Half-Scale Patterns
In Threads #189, Feb./March 2017, author Ann Grose (DesignerStitch.com) demonstrates the patternwork required to transform a basic straight skirt into one with varied amounts of flare. In this article, we provided a pair of basic, darted straight skirt patterns, one at half scale, and one at full scale. The full-scale pattern is available in US sizes 2 to 22 (waist 23 1/2 inches to 43 12/ inches, hips 34 inches to 54 inches).
In addition to Tips for Fitting a Straight Skirt, see two more articles to help on your journey to the perfect fit and construction.
Happy sewing.
Have you made any of these patterns? If so, be sure to share pictures in our Readers Closet gallery or tag us on Instagram with #memadethreads.
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