Emily'S Shirt Dress -- Part Two: Putting it Together

I started out cutting all the pieces from both the fabric and the fusible interfacing, and then ironed all the pieces with a little starch.  During this time I also attached the interfacing. I sewed the front of the dress together first and pressed the seam and the button lap.  I top-stitched along the edges of the lap.

Next, I attached the pockets to the front.  One Emily's dress they are below the waistline.   The pockets are trimmed with narrow double fold bias tape.  I then stitched the side and shoulder seams together.  I attached the collar.

Next were the sleeves.  The quarter-length sleeves are slightly gathered at the top and have a pleat at the lower edge.  Before stitching the pleat I re-checked the fit and placement by having Emily try on the dress.   During this time I also re-checked the placement of the belt loops and made some minor adjustments to the placement.

I attached the belt loops.   I hemmed the dress by finishing the raw edge and then enclosing it in double-fold bias tape.  A second row of bias tape was added above the hemline for decoration.  I finished the dress by sewing the button holes and the buttons.  A piece of ivory ribbon is used as a sash.

Emily in the finished dress.