Pattern review

We present to you the dress that you will want to wear everyday this summer – The Dillon Dress, designed by Christine Haynes, is a modern apron wrap dress that's absolutely perfect for layering over a

M8252 DRESS This fun pattern from McCall’s is perfect for those who want to level up their sewing skills without feeling overwhelmed. It’s a two-piece style that’s cleverly joined at the waist with a

■ 2.5m of 140cm wide fabric ■ 2cm wide elastic the length of the waist minus 5cm ■ 20cm invisible zip ■ 1m lightweight fusible interfacing ■ Fabric marking tools ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit ■

Sleeves are fun to experiment with and quick to sew up as a toile, as they have fewer pattern pieces and no darts to consider. It can be very difficult to gauge volume on a flat sleeve pattern, so I a

■ Crushed velvet: 50cm each in light pink, gold, light blue and medium blue, 1m in dark pink ■ Rotary cutter ■ Cutting mat ■ 45x45cm cushion pad ■ Polyester stuffing ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing k

This month, get creative with patterned fabrics and wallpapers, make everlasting paper flowers and invest in some quality bed linen or tableware