You know those moments when you see a dress you absolutely must make?
This is one of those moments. This is the dress, the must dress….
I just love how this simple plaid fabric has so many special details.
Look at that neckline. At first, I thought it had two wide ruches applied on the bodice. But, looking closer, that neckline is made from strips of gathered and flat fabric. I think the bodice would have a flat lining with the fashion fabric layered over it. At least, that is how I would do it. The very center of the bodice appears to be pieced together along the plaid. Then there is that cord. I have to ponder that cord.
Moving down to the skirt…. Oh, my! that hem!! (The zoom feature is a must here.) Those corded tucks, for a lack of a better word, in two different sizes are stitched to make the horizontal plaid lines disappear. Amazing! I can see how the stripes may have been hidden as the fabric wraps around the smaller cords. I would just stitch right on the stripe. But, those larger ones? Were the threads pulled out? Or was this section of the fabric different? There are white sections side-by-side. Is there piecing hidden in those tucks? I would be very tempted to do sets of corded tucks emphasizing the white in a couple bands and sets of corded tucks emphasizing the color in other bands.
Looking at the sleeves, the upper sleeve looks like an easy assembly with a larger cord and an inch to inch and a half tuck or fold inserted. The cuffs mimic the neckline with the alternating gathered and flat bands along with the thick cord.
This is a dress that will take a good bit of hand sewing, tiny hand sewing in some cases.
Now, I just have to find the right fabric at the right price at a time I have the cash.
If I Had My Own Blue Box: 
When I saw the picture of this lovely dress I had exactly the same thoughts :-). What a stunning dress. Thank you for this post. It is so nice to know that I am not alone with my sewing obsession ;-). Thilda