1 Go online to sewmag.co.uk to download and print the pattern. Attach interfacing to the wrong side of the front and back neck facings. Position and pin the back facing to the front facing across the shoulders, with the right side of the fabric facing. Stitch together and neaten the outer edge. Neaten the edges of the shoulder seams. Position the front and back dress pieces together with the right sides of the fabric facing each other, match, pin and stitch the shoulder seams together. Press the seams allowances open.

2 Lay the dress out flat with the right sides of the fabric facing up, lay the joined neck facing on top with the right side facing down, match the shoulder seams and necklines together, pin, then stitch around the neckline. Clip the seam allowances around the curve and under-stitch the neckline. Lay the dress flat, so the right side of the front and back of the dress faces up, match the shoulder notch on the sleeve to the end of the shoulder seam of the dress. Pin then stitch the sleeve into the armhole of the dress. Neaten the seam allowances together across the top of the sleeve and repeat for the other sleeve.

3 Fold the ties in half lengthways, matching together the two long edges and also across the shaped ends. Pin then stitch, leaving the straight end open. Trim the bulk from the corners of the points and turn the ties to the right side. Tease out the seams and points, then press flat. Position the two ties as indicated on the pattern and pin and stitch in place.

4 Match the side seams of the dress and underarms together, pin and stitch from the base of the dress up to the ends of the sleeves, sandwiching the ties in the seam. Neaten the seam allowances together and press the seam towards the back of the dress, then neaten around the ends of the sleeves and base of the dress. Fold and press up the 3cm hems and hem in place by hand. Slip-stitch the facing in place by hand and secure the shoulder seams of the facings to those of the dress.