First Day of School Dress

This summer I cleaned out every closet in our house (sounds impressive, but there are only four closets total and they weren't so so messy). The best thing I unearthed along the way was this dress, all cut out and ready to be stitched. I wish all projects started at this stage - it really speeds things up! It's a lined dress (Butterick 5510) with a crossover bodice, empire waist, cap sleeves, bias-cut skirt and side zipper. I made it from a lightweight, sheer Indian print cotton and lined it with a basic pink cotton. The wonderful surprise was that the dress fits perfectly. Perhaps I altered the pattern when I cut it out a few years ago? I have no idea. Whatever the reason, there's no pooch above the tush in the back, the armholes are the proper size, it's not at all low-cut (key for middle school teaching!), and the zipper is laying flat as a pancake along my side. I think the bias skirt is part of the great fit, and I'm wondering if it's possible that I haven't made another bias-cut project ever? Could that really be?

I look forward to wearing this dress on the first day of school. Dresses convey that no-nonsense, all-business image I'm going for in the classroom! And that I try, unsuccessfully, to get away from in other aspects of my life!