[capt_noonie]

Yes, the ladies are right. You can't sew top and lining of the bodice with the skirt in one step. This method doesn't save any time really and you need the foundation stitches inside that give the seams structure.

Sew the skirt to the lining of the bodice first. Then tuck in the SA of the outside of the bodice and sew closed with a top stitch. This of course is the very last step of the dress (except hemming). By this point everything else should already be done; armholes, neckline/collar, etc.

You could do it with a "stitch in the ditch" method also, if you want a more clean look with no topstitching. This way you would sew the outer side of the bodice to the skirt first. Then turn the dress over and press under the SA of the lining; but make sure the fold is about 1/16"-3/16" past the stitch line of the outer bodice/skirt. Turn the dress back to the top and stitch in the "ditch", which is where the two fabrics of the bodice and skirt meet. You have to pull the fabrics slightly apart so that when released, the fabric fold will hide the stitch. Turn the dress back over and make sure you didn't miss any of the lining fabric. Of course this method is a bit more difficult, but looks really neat and clean when done correctly.