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Paige Handmade

You are here: Home / Sewing Tutorial / How to Sew a Pencil Skirt: McCall’s 3830

How to Sew a Pencil Skirt: McCall’s 3830

in Sewing Tutorial, Skirts on 05/04/23

Pencil skirts are classic and timeless. They look flattering on a multitude of body types and are relatively easy to sew. Getting a perfect fit can be a bit more complicated, but overall, we are dealing with a few seam adjustments. In my video tutorial I won’t be addressing fitting, just the construction. I will add this fitting tip though: baste the skirt sides together before stitching so can get a first fitting. In my first fitting the hip area was just a dash looser than ideal, but I was able to bring it in a quarter inch on both sides; therefore, reducing the hip circumference by 1 inch total. You can see the subtle detail in the photos of the skirt inside out. I hope that helps if you run into a similar situation.

What You’ll Need

The pattern I used is McCall’s 3830 and, at this time, it is out of print. A similar pattern is McCall’s 8051. The main fabric is a stretch corduroy from JoAnn in an eggplant purple. The fabric used for the facing is a Chinese jacquard remnant from JoAnn in a beautiful hot pink color. I wanted to spice up the interior of the skirt with flashy Hong Kong seam finishing. You’ll need roughly 1.5 yards for a skirt like this, interfacing, thread, and an invisible zipper.

Video Tutorial

Photos

Extra Resources

Hong Kong Seam Tutorial
Silk Blouse Tutorial (seen in the video)
Scalloped Neckline Tutorial (seen in the video)
Invisible Zipper Tutorial

Go get creative and make something you love!
-Paige

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Hi! I'm Paige... Paige

...an elf who has achieved Master Tinker status. Give me a tool and I’ll make something! I am married to the coolest nerd and Mama to two girly girls.

My mission is to take the overwhelm out of projects, so you can go get creative and make something you love! a little more backstory…

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paigehandmade

Practicing using a narrow rolled hem foot and maki Practicing using a narrow rolled hem foot and making samples of the different sizes. 🪡
A skirt that looks good even when it is inside out A skirt that looks good even when it is inside out! Swipe to see the outside! 💕 

@mccallpatterncompany #m3830
Collapsible Shoulders! 🦾 This dress form is fro Collapsible Shoulders! 🦾 This dress form is from @theshopcompany. My blouse is the #saharmonytop from @stylearc.
A little fun bias binding on the vent of this skir A little fun bias binding on the vent of this skirt. ✨
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paigehandmade

Practicing using a narrow rolled hem foot and maki Practicing using a narrow rolled hem foot and making samples of the different sizes. 🪡
A skirt that looks good even when it is inside out A skirt that looks good even when it is inside out! Swipe to see the outside! 💕 

@mccallpatterncompany #m3830
Collapsible Shoulders! 🦾 This dress form is fro Collapsible Shoulders! 🦾 This dress form is from @theshopcompany. My blouse is the #saharmonytop from @stylearc.
A little fun bias binding on the vent of this skir A little fun bias binding on the vent of this skirt. ✨
Another pair of socks that deserve a solemate phot Another pair of socks that deserve a solemate photo. They are quirky and cozy. 🧦 

As always, the #imsobasicsocks is the foundation pattern.

#sockknitting #knitsocks #boxofsocks2023
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