This stunning pattern collection designed by Amanda Walker comprises an on-trend breton dress in striped linen with red accents including a waist synching belt, plus two styles of casual tunic. The first top features short sleeves and a bold red stripe with coordinating facing and button-embellished patch pockets, while the three quarter length sleeve variation boasts a patch pocket and pretty gingham facing.
Stitch a linen dress
Download the pattern pieces at www.sewmag.co.uk, print. and piece together the pattern, then use to cut the pieces from fabric. Mark the dots at the points of the darts on the front piece of the dress; match the notches at the ends, pin, then stitch the darts. Press the resulting flaps towards the top of the piece.
Match the shoulder seams of the front and back pieces together, pin, then stitch. Sew the shoulder seams of the front and back facing in the same manner. Press the seams open. With right sides facing, match together the facing and the neck of the dress, connecting the shoulder seams. Pin, then stitch around the neck. Trim and clip around the curve of the neckline.
Under-stitch the neckline by laying the facing away from the dress, press the seam allowance towards the facing, then stitch on the facing side, close to the seam through both layers. Turn the facing back to the wrong side,matching the armholes together, pin, then stitch around. Trim and clip the curves. Turn the facing through to reveal the right sides of the fabric by pulling each back through to the front at the shoulder lines. Ease out the armholes and press.
Neaten each of the side seams by either overlocking or zig zag stitching. Open out the side edges of the facing, with the right sides of the fabric together, match the side seam and stitch in one continuous line from the edge of the facing, under the arms and down towards the hem of the dress. Press the seam open, fold and press down the facing inside the dress.
Neaten the edges of the back seam by overlocking or zig zag stitching. Measure the zip and mark this point on the back seam allowance. With the right sides of the fabric together, pin, then stitch as far as the zip notch. Press the seam open, along with the seam allowance within the opening of the zip. Position the zip over the opening onto the right side of the fabric. Pin in place, folding the top of the zip over to the wrong side of the centre top of the neck, and the ends under. Stitch in place, sewing on the fabric edge of the zip.
Fold the contrast fabric strip in half lengthways. Stitch along the length and both ends leaving a gap. Clip the corners and turn to the right side, tease out the corners and press. Match the two ends to the base of the centre back seam, then pin to the base of the dress with the right sides of the fabric facing ea