DIY Pencil Skirt

I love pencil skirts!  I was a bit disappointed that I couldn't find a less insistent chevron fabric, but after all I think it turned out very well.  I bought everything at Hobby Lobby.  Here's how the cost broke down:

Simplicity Pattern #2475, $16.95 on sale for .99
Chevron Fabric 8.99 x 2 yards -40% off coupon 10.79
Invisible Zipper 2.71
Thread 1.50
New Skirt:  15.99

Front

Back

So I should begin by saying this is not really a beginner's project.  The skirt is really quite easy, even back kick-tucks.  But the chevron--oh, the chevron.  I foolishly assumed that matching chevron would be as simple as matching stripes.  But I was very wrong.  It turns out one must match horizontally as well as vertically.  So where one must adjust for stripes by moving the pattern pieces up and down, with chevron you have to adjust sideways as well.  Also it's very important to open up the fabric and made sure both layers match so both pieces cut will be identical.

The easiest way to match up the chevrons is to iron under the seam allowance and match it up as the seam would come out; then pin it together in that position and stitch exactly in the crease.

Iron under the seam allowance

Lay the pieces across each other to match chevron

Pin down and stitch in crease

The good thing is that this is the perfect pattern for this sort of thing.  I've always struggled with patterns that were drafted for women with tiny waists and large chests and hips, like barbies.  I'm built rather boxily, my waist, chest and hips, are all similar in size, so I have to adjust patterns a lot after cutting them out--which would ruin the chevron matching up.  This pattern allows for all types--I cut a larger size in the slim fit.  Which allowed me to match chevron without worrying too much about fit.

I say too much because I did need to adjust some sizing. I realized it was matching chevron or sizing, and that I couldn't have both, so I compromised by matching up in the front and back and not bothering on the sides.