I have spent the afternoon battling with French seams (and giving up because they did my head in) and flounces. In the end it all worked out okay. This was first attempt at this pattern and as has become my habit I made it in a cheap material in case I totally faffed it up. There was some unpicking at one point but not too much. Finally I managed to get it together, adjust the neckline elastic not too badly (although next time I think I’ll get some cord) and in the end I cheated on the drawstring ties and just whacked on some rick rack. It’s definitely wearable and I think  I have the pattern sussed for a second attempt with better quality fabric.