Lesley joined us today from the Advisors Circle. Recently, she visited to share her waterproof School Days Coat and the versatile Reversible Cartwheel Wrap Dress. Now, she’s back to introduce her Liesl + Co. Extra-Sharp Pencil Skirt, which she crafted especially for herself. Thank you so much for joining us, Lesley!
As part of the Liesl + Co. Advisors Circle, I had the privilege of previewing Liesl’s latest patterns before they hit the market, including the Extra-Sharp Pencil Skirt. I’m a huge fan of pencil skirts for professional settings, especially when I want to blend into the more corporate world. I have a knack for selecting practical, clean-lined outfits that fit the bill for formal attire, while still adding a splash of personality—whether it’s a bold lining or a quirky fabric choice. Since my work revolves around development issues in Africa, I often incorporate African wax prints into my wardrobe.
I absolutely adore this pencil skirt pattern because it eschews traditional darts. Instead, Liesl has ingeniously designed the pattern with side panels and a yoke at the back, maintaining the sleek silhouette of a pencil skirt while simplifying the fitting process. This design allows for easy adjustments to the finished garment without worrying about dart placement. In earlier versions of the skirt, we saw an innovative use of bias-cut fabric along the side panels, offering a fantastic way to integrate African wax prints into a classic business look.
For my version of the skirt, I used black suiting fabric I found at a local charity shop—a fantastic deal of 3 meters for just £3! I love shopping at thrift stores. For the contrast fabric, I chose a piece of kitenge fabric I purchased in Uganda a few years ago. Coincidentally, I was deep in the wilderness—Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwest Uganda—when I stumbled upon a bustling market during my hike back to my hostel. The kitenge fabric cost about £5 (around $6.50 USD) for six yards. It was perfect!
Kitenge fabric has a relatively loose weave and, through trial and error, I’ve learned it isn’t the most durable. Additionally, since this particular piece had been exposed to sunlight, I couldn’t be certain it hadn’t weakened due to UV damage. So, I decided to line the kitenge fabric with the same black material I used for the rest of the skirt. In terms of construction, this skirt is incredibly straightforward, thanks to Liesl’s excellent instructions. To my regret, I’ve only sewn one Liesl + Co. pattern before now, despite working on numerous Oliver + S patterns. What a missed opportunity! Her instructions are thorough and well-illustrated, making the entire process smooth and enjoyable. I’ve worked on many dresses and skirts with walking vents, but Liesl’s method feels far neater and more polished.
For a finishing touch, I added bias binding to the skirt’s facing because I enjoy it, and I believe it helps garments last longer. The sizing of this pattern is fantastic. Lately, I’ve been sewing with patterns from the big four brands and have grown frustrated with their inconsistent handling of ease. According to the size chart, I fell between two sizes, so I opted for the larger one. Ultimately, I adjusted the fit by taking in about 1 centimeter on each side seam, meaning the smaller size would likely have sufficed. The skirt isn’t overly tight, which worked out perfectly for my recent trip to Rwanda, where temperatures reached 26 degrees Celsius. I couldn’t bear wearing anything clingy in such heat. The relaxed fit also allows me to move freely between meetings without feeling restricted. I also shortened the skirt slightly; at 5’5â€, I aimed for a knee-length hem.
And here it is—a stunning finished Extra-Sharp Pencil Skirt!
I hope you find this skirt as appealing as I do. Be sure to check out this older blog post where I discuss the various fabrics available in East Africa. Not all African wax prints are created equal!
To enter a giveaway for a $50 Oliver + S gift certificate, share a photo of yourself wearing your new Extra-Sharp Pencil Skirt somewhere and leave a link here. Any Extra-Sharp Pencil Skirts made since March 2018 qualify. Entries must be submitted by Tuesday, July 10, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
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