Making a Zippered Pencil Skirt Inspired By McQueen

[@arvettadelashmit9337]

We made (and wore) straight skirts (now called pencil skirts back in the 1950's and 1960's) that had one boxed kick pleat in the back (no ugly open vents were allowed). The zipper was also in the back. I had to remember to zip my skirt up, after I buttoned my skirt (it was easy to forget to zip the zipper). Those skirts looked great with seamed stockings and dressy shoes. I made my daughter a dress with a straight skirt on it (when she was in college). Her dress zipped up the back; and, I put a double boxed kick pleat in the skirt back (so she could climb stairs without having to pull her skirt up). I was surprised by how many young women (at that college) who had never seen a kick pleat in a straight/pencil skirt before. They wanted to know how I learned to make them. I learned in Home Economics when I was a Freshman in High School. Have you ever put a boxed kick pleat in a pencil skirt?

[@michellecornum5856]

In which The Closet Historian takes on the designers. 🤔Yeah, I could get behind this.

[@annechenlowey7462]

Great design! Although as soon as you said "I can bead this bodice in two days" I immediately said "Oh no, that's the devil talking, Bianca."

[@marcellacruser951]

I could totally see this in a gilded brown faux croc with a brass zipper, for some reason. It's really a great look. Can't wait to see the jacket.

[@JinnyCJ]

Ooh, that would look good.

[@damogranheart5521]

I don't quite understand. Is crock supposed to be frock?

[@emmawileman3416]

@@damogranheart5521 I think she means crocodile-skin textured faux leather.

[@Judy-rk1ge]

I really appreciate how you talk through your projects with us. It helps me see that a talented artist doesn’t do things « perfectly » and that the thinking of design, process and the sewing is not always linear no matter how experienced one is. Always, thanks for sharing.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Judy!

[@chaeburger]

You should absolutely treat yourself as a worker. You are a worker! You deserve workers rights! You require rest and care just like everyone else

[@damogranheart5521]

It's hard to function well if you aren't getting the rest and relaxation that your body And your mind need. Finding what vitamins and minerals your body needs is a good start.

[@tiffanytomasino335]

It turned out very cool! Brain fog is the worst. I can't decide which I hate more fog or executive dysfunction. But you managed and very well at that. Thank you for sharing ❤

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Tiffany!

[@tiamatmichellehart6821]

Never stop making pencil skirts! They're perhaps the most elegant women's fashions since the Victorian Era, and your results are excellent!

[@Myssmynx]

Eee! 2 Closet Historian videos in a week?! I am blessed :D

[@Myssmynx]

Also, can we talk about how fricking amazing this skirt is?! Love the punk vibes

[@mele9952]

I love the exposed zipper!❤ i think the cargo pocket would be fun in a shiny fabric. Also this skirt gives me Tripp vibes from my high school days just need to add some contrast thread haha

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! I need to practice exposed zippers more 😂

[@thewizardmountain]

noticed the swells of synthy background music in this one. i must say, it's subtle, but really added a lot!

[@danielaraisig9961]

You are my "Bob Ross" of sewing! 🥰 I hope you understand my compliment! 😊 You are a 100% great artist and soooo relaxing to listen and learn!

[@ghostsandcoffee126]

First off: I really like the design of this, even with all the brain fog it came out great! Secondly: Taking breaks and keeping your brain/body in good muster is important and productive work in it's own right though I'm sure (given I'm bad about giving myself that grace too so... yeah) that's easier said than done. Hoping you're able to get a balace that works for you! 💜

[@armedvsokord]

You are not alone. I also have more high standards for myself and advise others to rest and set kinder standards I can't seem to implement for myself.

[@ghostsandcoffee126]

@@armedvsokord Seems to be a pretty common thing unfortunately. I've seen it in a number of creators. I guess it's nice to know I'm not the only one lol

[@gabriellagrimaldo6335]

My cat loves your voice over, and I do, too. She seems to purr as soon as she can hear your voice

[@thecadaver]

I feel like the worst part of brain fog is staring at a problem and *knowing* there's a solution but your brain is just making grinding noises and leaking out your ears instead of figuring it out. Like come on brain, I know you know how to do this!

[@davidh.4220]

Another homerun, B!

[@damogranheart5521]

I enjoyed my visit to the blue patterning table of Doom today! I was never able to make invisible zippers look truly invisible. I stopped putting in zippers and switched to quilting for quite a few years. Now I and a friend will be going to S.R.Harris Fabric Warehouse and I will go on a sewing quest! Blessings on all of your endeavors!🖖🐈‍⬛🫖🦉📚🏕🕊

[@creepycutiecrafty]

Even with reduced braining, the process still looks many times better than I could do! And the finished piece is gorgeous. Always an amazing watch.❤ (And I agree with your patrons, be gentle with yourself, and remember that pushing yourself when your energy is reduced is gonna make that energy disappear faster. The videos you create are worth waiting for)

[@trishblakely3476]

So cool! I really like the facing framing out the exposed zipper.

[@lukethomas658]

Love the different background music! Beautiful creation as always.

[@pippaseaspirit4415]

The idea of facing the facing is pure genius! I would look dreadful in the clothes which suit you so well, so I won’t be making them, but I really enjoy watching your processes.

[@lupakajsalisa3652]

I don't know why you think you'd look dreadful exactly, if it's the aesthetic that doesn't suit your fancy, but if it's the cut, you can absolutely use proportion to give similar over-all impressions even on vastly different body types and heights! Finding where the hemline of different kinds of skirts, shirts and pants look good on you is a really good start, and then you can play around with depth and width of darts, and slash and spread the whole pattern top to bottom and mockup until it hangs well on you. Looking good in certain clothes is really about proportion! And feeling good/cool/pretty in them, of course, that's all that matters really. Also, try and find your problem fit areas - like excess fabric in the back waist, or constant wedgies in commercial patterns/clothes - and find out what the pattern adjustments are called! Just search for 'drag lines pants/top/etc.' on google or pinterest and compare the angle and placement of the drag lines of the clothes *on you* vs the examples on google/pinterest. Possibly this isn't what you meant by 'looking dreadful in the clothes', but you really can copy clothes in any style but make them proportionate to your proportions (:

[@pippaseaspirit4415]

@@lupakajsalisa3652 Thanks for your input! It’s pencil skirts that look awful on me, because I’m the wrong shape for them! The skirts that suit me best are very long, with a lot of width at the hem but fitted at the waist.

[@Beth-ch7pj]

Your patrons are right! I love watching your videos but not at the expense of your physical or mental health. You deserve time off to relax and extra time on more complex projects. If that means less frequent videos then so be it! That is a very cool skirt ❤ (in my experience the exposed zips will catch on your tights/stockings though 😢 and your skin and bags - and other peoples lol)

[@christinebarker9361]

That is a lovely black pencil skirt. X

[@gavannapatterns353]

Ah you're spoiling us with a second video this week 😊❤. And yes, I was a bit surprised when you put the facing on without including the zipper tape.... personally I probably would have unpicked the outer seam and inserted it, mainly because I HATE the look and feel of that tape, especially against the body!! Uuurgh! But it looks good so it's of course working this way too. 🤔Another idea is to put in an exposed zipper in the side seam too, that would have looked cool😊 almost like one long zipper going in an angle. Well, angles don't work well on zippers, so it would have to be two separate ones, but a cool look! This gave me some ideas....

[@melissel5648]

This exposed zipper look is so cool, once again I really want to make more stuff after watching you (and feel more confident to do so). Thanks for your generosity in your teachings, but please know it's important to take the time to rest and some time off, you deserve it 😊

[@janebithell9662]

The result is beautiful and as usual I loved watching how it all came together in the video😊 be kind to yourself and take care Bianca!

[@paintingwithnicole]

two videos in one week??? how unbelievably lucky for us!! that said, please never worry about taking some time off! We're here for you, which means we want you to be well and well rested

[@shirliepriestley8761]

Wonderful skirt, and thank you for the pocket tutorial, it was great very informative .🙂

[@jasodraRamkhalawan]

Love the end result. Beautiful look.

[@Kera.S.]

Love this! You never stop Amazing and impressing! TFS 💙

[@mel_issa__]

Such a dream skirt, beautiful work!!

[@lesleyharris525]

Nice skirt, makes me think punk, ❤

[@robintheparttimesewer6798]

The skirt looks amazing! I definitely have to watch the pocket video! Also if we are voting I too think that you should allow yourself the same fair treatment that you advocate for! Be nicer to yourself!

[@head_huntress]

You're obviously a very intelligent and talented person. When you hear your brain saying negative things to you, tell it no. Take a deep breath and step back. Sometimes as artists, we have to step away from a project for a moment to avoid major mistakes. You clearly figured it out in the end, though. The skirt looks fantastic. I hope you feel accomplished for pushing through the brainworms in the end 🖤

[@cleof1503]

eeeeeeek! ANother new upload with another baning pencil skirt. Keep making these babies, I live vicariously through you.

[@alliebasta7482]

Totally gorgeous! I love it 👌❤️

[@marjonantoons7538]

Oeh! I like the idea of that pocket on a skirt! I am definitely going to steal that from you (or McQueen, whatever). And I am curious to see the jacket you have planned. Loved the skirt, so I feel I will like the jacket to.

[@adamreynolds9816]

I love the outer facings on the hem. I just replaced a zipper in my down jacket. The order of operations is confusing. Great pocket detail.

[@vivienkoles1880]

Totally unrelated, but I love your hair in this video!

[@donnalewis4895]

You do know how to do everything regarding sewing. It's just the finessing that gets away as there are usually more than one way to do it. Love this skirt. If you were to use the exposed zip as decorative you could use a flap of thinner material inside similar to the flap on a pair of jeans that soares your tummy getting caught. You could also possibly use a piece of satin ribbon inside. Just a thought. You are always interesting to watch. Give yourself a break sometimes. You are hard on yourself. Hugs

[@Jokerkles]

I know how hard it is to advocate for yourself when you're so used to putting yourself aside to advocate for others, since I do it all the time, and then wonder why I'm so burned-out these days. This past Monday marked the 13th time in the last 15 years where I haven't had a birthday party of any kind (I don't count a supper with a cake at my parents' place as a party), and last September marked 5 of the last 6 years where I haven't been able to celebrate my anniversary with my wife, including our 15th two years ago. I don't even remember the last time when I did something just for me to relax and unwind these days, so I get why you can lose sight of applying the principles you hold dear for everyone else to yourself, too. And I love the skirt, especially paired with that funky belt and the jacket you were wearing. My only suggestion would be to try to incorporate some of that iridescent material from the jacket (if you have any, that is) into the next version of that skirt to try to make a matched pair. If you don't have any, maybe you could use that idea for the jacket you want to make, or maybe make an entirely new set in a similar fashion.

[@belindacoba5158]

I think this wa a comfort but not comfort zone project!

[@fritziepisarski8681]

I haven’t watched five minutes and love the zipper skirt.❤

[@Sew_Learning]

Oh wow! Loved this skirt! And I love your boots. Sending best wishes from Down Under 🐈📖📚💚💚🥰🇦🇺

[@DareYa2BDifferent]

Absolutely love this Bianca! You did a great job for your first time working with an exposed zipper and learned that a different technique will likely work better! I've only ever had one pencil skirt with an exposed zipper for the back closure that was from waist to hem. It was a double ended zipper that was sewn into the seam of the skirt and facing. Being center back it would allow for a walk slit and it never caught on my hosiery due to the zipper teeth having a bit of a rounded edge. Sadly I'm much too large for the skirt now, but it was well loved when I could wear it.

[@laurelnolen2056]

Looks good, and I bet it would go well with some pieces from the Cyberpunk look book. You're not alone in thinking that pin quality has declined. I sand off the burrs using the unglazed bottom of a ceramic mug or ramekin.

[@laurajones4088]

Striking skirt! Looking forward to seeing the jacket.

[@IAmCraftingAgain]

Glad you're ok-ish, i was worried about you. Hope the fog keeps clearing

[@lynneozzyblackbeard]

Oh my goodness, you have outdone yourself!! This is fabulous, and is being saved into my "Bianca videos I've made - want to make" playlist. That little bit of facing on the corner of the facing is genius, I wouldn't have thought of that. Also, I like the way you did the zip, I feel there's a bit more control with it that way, rather that layering it between the skirt and facing. But both would work! I made a dress with a metal zip at the centre back, and it was cold against my skin, so I hand sewed in a bit of grosgrain ribbon to act as a zip guard. But then if the skirt zip was unzipped a bit, the guard would show. Anyway, good luck with the jacket, and stay fabulous! Lynne 😍🤩

[@JinnyCJ]

An exposed zip? What is this? Are you our Bianca?😉. Lovely result, love how you take inspiration and make it totally your own.

[@MommaRose956]

What! On a Friday too! M feeling very spoiled this week! 😂😂😂😂

[@jennglow4647]

Very pretty 😀

[@rossmail5924]

Bonus!! Yay❤

[@pameldridge984]

Great idea 😊

[@nerdaccount]

LOVE LOVE LOVE that skirt!!!! Amazing!

[@Puckty]

I absolutely love love love this pencil skirt. But I am also a sucker for an exposed zipper. I know you make a lot of pencil skirts, but do some reason it never gets boring to watch.

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

Honestly I think that's one of the most fun looking pencil skirts I've ever seen! Love balancing the zipper on one side with a pocket on the other! ...now that I'm thinking about it, somewhat bulky patch pockets on both hips might be the only way I don't look like a highlighter trying to fit in a pencil skirt... thinngs to experiment with! I'm thinking in my camel-and-purple "plaid-my-mom-hates"... it would actually look amazing with the vest I made from that fabric... look at me, contemplating matching clothing! I guess it was time I made a pencil skirt block anyways, been meaning to do it for peplums, even if I never intended to make a pencil skirt as an actual skirt, since it doesn't feel to me that it will look good on someone with a "dad bod with boobs" figure rather than something ...you know, curvy, rather than columnar. But the fabric I have in mind is chonky enough that pockets would be great for a little extra hip volume! And thank you so much for showing your process in figuring out how something should have been done after you'd already sewn the seams, I'm still at that stage myself with most of my projects with new elements, takes me a long time to wrap my brain around stupidly simple things like how to make a placket for a skirt where you're planning to use hooks and eyes /skirt bar to fasten it at an inverted box pleat at the centre back.

[@debraanneclark2188]

Another great design that looks really great finished and very flattering on

[@yobespierre]

ma'am, yes, you should extend those worker's rights to yourself. 8 hours for work, 8 hours for rest, 8 hours for anything else isn't just a slogan. it's also healthier than working constantly.

[@makeitjoyful]

I love watching your videos. I get so much inspiration! I love your edgy aesthetic. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@karengoldie6801]

Edgy look. Works well with the belt.

[@tambriggs]

Very cool.

[@mandylavida]

I have ideas now for doing this with the facings and pocket in brocade to match a brocade-trimmed jacket....love those boots on you btw. Be good to yourself, Buanca. ❤

[@rjordan231]

Hold on this cuuuuteeee

[@anthonyreed3421]

LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!!!! :D

[@reganrose04]

My thought to make the exposed zipper functional would be if the separation was higher up. Could look cool spiralling around the shirt

[@harkaretweet]

Bianca, sometimes you make things and I'm like "woah, this woman is way too cool for me" Although, that said, I'll take 3.

[@rinaeperron7746]

Diagonal zipper....genius!

[@AleOmalley]

Looks great!!! 😊

[@lupinotuumlunam]

It looks great as it is, but also has lots of color and texture blocking possibilities. You don't need 10 of the exact same thing, but if you have 50 different pencil skirts there is still room for more. If you had extra hem fabric on one side of the zipper you could fold it over the zipper to cover the back side and stitch it down to the other side to protect skin/tights from contact with the metal. In this case you would need to add a strip of fabric with the zipper like a men's fly zipper placket. Not sure if that makes sense. Thanks.

[@sandrahochhuber-eigenliebe]

So great! I would put something on the inside of the zip to protect your stockings. Otherwise, you will perhaps not be wearing this gorgeous skirt (or soon combination) as much. And you deserve to shine in it! 😊 Have you seen Jennifer Lopez' dress of the Met Gala? I was thinking of you as I saw it. She has been wearing Schiaparelli. I can totally imagine you making a pencil length edgy version of this dress. Perhaps just the shoulders! Form over function! Thank you for your beautiful videos. Sending you love! 😊❤😊

[@cakeeeetime]

Love it :)

[@donnalewis4895]

Just thought of something regarding what i wrote about using a satin ribbon. If that ribbon was say 1 and a half inches wide you could fold it where the ribbons good side faced the zipper and your leg and use a bold contrasting color for a bit of vavavavoom when opening zip to show a bit of leg and color. I would love to see a version of that done.

[@kathyjohnson2043]

I was worried about you when you didn't post and there wasn't a community post to say you were missing a week but that you were ok. It wasn't that I think you should never miss, but that I knew you think you should never miss.

[@raraavis7782]

That looks great. I think. Hahaha, don't we all wish, there was a way to film black in way, that you actually see all the details? 😭 It's very much my style though. Elegant with a touch of 'Rock Chick'. I have a knee length leather skirt that looks very much like the one, you based the design on. I adore it, but people almost stare at me too much, when I wear it.

[@JessicasCreativeSpot]

Could you do a livestream while you're beading? I also agree, labour laws should also apply to yourself.

[@dedisumer8467]

Please make a corset drafting... I really like and appreciate your work... Plss😥

[@Cindy-ef2vn]

Some of the detail was lost in the black on black on black. As always, the finished product looks very nice. Looking forward to the jacket.

[@AnniCarlsson]

I had a few things many years ago with exposed zippers and all had like a placket behinde it so it was fabric between the zipper and your skin. I also thought the facing was done like that due to have it in between. Well when mind not all there becouse to many other things in life make it messy easy solutions sometimes like to not show up and we all make it harder then it needed to be. When the brain is against us

[@lynn858]

If the alternative is "thinking it through" to ensure you do it as optimally as possible, for so long that you don't get everything done... (the way I tend to sew) that's not really better. At least you get finished items. :) Be kind to yourself.

[@Gordhasse]

you can pull the extra teeth off of the zipper with a pair of pliers, it works quite well.

[@coreygilles847]

❤❤❤

[@bohemiansusan2897]

I love the skirt! When doing Goth/Punk, snags into the stockings are no biggie, it adds to the look. If it bothers you, you can hand stitch a down wards flap to cover the zipper on the inside. So much that can be mixed or matched with that skirt. Looking to seeing the jacket when you're done. I been buying some vintage 70-90s agents garde patterns. Towards the later end of the 90s, a ante garde became ridiculously ugly. Hot pink.and lime green Michelin man outfit... Nope! I usually Frankenstein patterns to suit myself.

[@AEJ-1-2]

😍

[@pennywillis8895]

🇦🇺Why wouldn’t you put the waist zipper on the opposite side to the exposed zipper? Or did I get that wrong?

[@alexisday7701]

Great take on the design! Please look out for yourself. While I love the videos I would rather have less if it means you can have time off for yourself

[@blackmirrorprisoners]

is the table of doom still blue??? i remember you talking about it in a recent video but i can't remember what you said

[@cynthiadugan858]

❤

[@penelopedreadful]

I need to get around to making a pencil skirt block so I can actually make a better fitting pencil skirt -_-

[@goddesspa]

Where do those scissors come from? What are they called?

[@auntheidi9389]

The only plan is...there is no plan Gabriel Byrne " Ghost Ship,"

[@KathrinFranke-z4c]

I think that's a general problem with self-employed content creators. It's how you feed yourselves and/or your families. I listen to a daily podcast and the host sometimes barely has voice he still battles through the episodes. But yes, you should take time off when you need it - and give youself more time to complere projects (especially beading).

[@dedisumer8467]

A bustier corset... I've watched many tutorial but I'm not satisfy any of them... It's really confusing to understand some of them.. I really like your tutorial instead... Plsss

[@blackmirrorprisoners]

do you have anyone to help with your channel? in the spirit of fair work, you could hire an editor if it means your workload is lessened, or even someone to help you physically with your sewing

[@kaireeglantz6648]

...BLUE TABLE?????? If you like me have been offended, you may be entitled to financial compensation.