Sewing for a Daughter - Lindy Skirt and Marianne Dress

Kaitlyn is a Junior in college (majoring in secondary math education) and starting to spend a couple mornings a week observing in the classroom.  This means her wardrobe is changing from college student to sometime college student and sometime teacher. This teacher wardrobe needs more professional clothes that still look young and stylish.  She is on a college student and newlywed budget, which enters mom to help with some clothes. The first one is the Itch to Stitch Lindy Petal Skirt, elastic waist pencil skirt with front overlaps.  I added 1" to the length, Kaitlyn is 5'8" tall and wants her skirts and dresses to hit right above the knee for teacher wear.  This skirt is a free pattern!

I cut a size 6 for Kaitlyn, tapering a bit smaller in the hips.  Kailtyn is a size 6 at Express for reference.

This skirt is so quick to make and looks so cute when it is finished.  I found the polka dot knit at Joann's and it is a very nice knit with quite a bit of stretch.

Kaitlyn loves dresses, so the second garment is the Marianne Dress and the window pane fabric is a heavy ponte from Joann's.  This dress is going to be so warm as this ponte is nice and thick.  I used the small bit of leftover polka dot for the yoke.  I thought the dots helped to keep the dress young. I didn't get the sleeves lined up with the dress, so my windowpane is a little off.

I started with a size 10 but after Kaitlyn tried it on, I went really took it in at the waist.  She wanted it much more fitted and also the flare at the hem eliminated.  

I added 1 inch to the length and that wasn't quite enough.  I hemmed this dress  scant 1/2" hem.  I will add 2 to 3 inches next time.  Kaitlyn is fine with the length on this dress but future ones a bit longer is her preference.

I did not have any black knit in my stash, so I used a black ponte skirt I never wore to get fabric for the neckline. 

One more look at the neckline.

Kaitlyn loved her new clothes but said no pictures with her wearing them, which is fine.  I did enjoy making these knit garments.  Knit pieces are fun and fast to make which was a bonus after finishing my labor intensive Pea Coat