These cushion covers are  so easy to make, and we have to say more than a little addictive! They're a great way of updating your living space; and a quick way of making an individual and unique statement for your home.

We started with some very simple covers using the same fabric for the back and front, these ones still have impact, largely because of the prints we've chosen to make them up in. The cushion above, for example, is made in Ellen Luckett Baker's Half Round in Gold, this is such a statement fabric and has become a firm favourite of ours!

Another great fabric for these cushion covers is Echino's Samber in Natural, again this fabric speaks for itself and looks fantastic when used for both the back and front.

You could also mix it up by using a different fabric on the back to the front. For the cushion below we've used Nani Iro for Kokka's Pierre Pocho in Natural for the front and teamed it with Robert Kaufman's Essex Linen in Steel for the back pieces.

You will need:

• Cushion insert, for the purposes of this tutorial we've chosen to make a cover for an insert measuring 40cm X 40cm, but feel free to make whatever size you prefer
• Fabric of your choice, for the front panel you'll need a piece 42cm X 42cm (this allows for a 1cm seam allowance for a cushion insert measuring 40cm X 40cm); and for the two back panels, 2 pieces each measuring 42cm X 30cm.
• Matching Cotton Thread
• Dressmakers Scissors
• Tape Measure
• Sewing Pins
• Sewing Gauge (not essential, but it makes turning a hem so much easier and quicker!)
• Bamboo Point Turner

To make:

Pre-wash your fabric before starting.

Cut out the front panel as the measurements above if you're making a cover for a 40cm cushion insert, you want the cover to fit snugly.

Next cut the two back panels measuring 42cm X 30cm. Each of these panels needs to be hemmed along one of the 42cm sides. To do this first turn a 1cm hem, pinning as you go (as shown below) and press into place; turn this hem again and iron to create a double fold hem.

Top stitch this folded hem on the right side of the fabric close to the turned edge.

Next place the front panel piece right side up on your work surface. Then lay one of the back pieces right side down onto the front panel, with the unfinished 42cm side lined up with the outer edge of the front cushion piece.

Take the second back panel piece and again place it right side down onto the other fabric pieces, as with the other back piece, the unfinished 42cm side lined up with the outer edge of the front cushion piece.

Pin these pieces in place. Then stitch round all four sides of the cushion cover with a 1cm seam allowance, at each corner sink the needle down, lift the foot and pivot the fabric 90 degrees.

Trim the seams to 5mm, and trim the corners, as shown above, to ensure a neat finish. We finished our seams with a zig zag stitch, but this isn't essential.

Turn your cover inside out, give it a good press and there you have it, your own bespoke cushion cover!

With our friends little boy's first birthday fast approaching, we've the perfect excuse to try out the trousers from the Lullaby Layette Set by Oliver + S! And what better fabric to make them in than our beautifully soft 100% Organic Double Cloth, we've made ours up in both the Blue and the Brown. Because this fabric is organic it doesn't contain any harmful chemicals or dyes, making it ideal for babies and young children as well as adults!

We strongly recommend that you trace off the patterns so that you can re-use it again and again as baby grows. The other thing to note is that these patterns only have a 1cm seam allowance compared to the more standard 1.5cm, this is referenced throughout but we thought worth a mention.

These trousers are really straightforward and easy to make, the instructions are clear and come with helpful illustrations to assist you at each stage of your make.

Take time with the pockets to ensure that they are even, we used a tip we picked up when making up one of our adult Colette patterns, and made a template out of card of the shape of the finished pocket so that we could gather the curved end section of pocket evenly and then press before stitching to the back sections of the trousers. For a patterned fabric you may even decide to leave the pockets off making this an even easier make!

 When it comes to top-stitching the waistband to the front of the trousers we tacked it in place rather than just pinning, to ensure that we covered the stitch line where the waistband is attached to the back of the garment.

Once the waistband's on all that's left to do is turn up the trouser hems and you're done!

These are so easy to make we're sure you'll want to make them again and again! Why not try them in our Organic Crossweaves or Ginghams, Robert Kaufman Chambray Union Herringbone or Woven Stripe, or the Nani Iro for Kokka's Sen Ritsu would look lovely for a girl with a hint of shimmer.

We've been busy searching for new contemporary fabrics to add to our collection and we're really pleased to be adding the following Japanese fabrics to our range:

First up we have Ellen Luckett Baker for Kokka's Half Round in a fabulous metallic Gold from the Charm's Collection. This is the first design that we've brought in by Ellen, and judging from the reaction we've had since this went live on our website we'll soon be adding to it!

Another designer who's new to us is Etsuko Furuya, who designs under the name Echino. We absolutely loved this quirky spot and deer design, Samber, the moment we saw it and hope that you do too!

We've also added to our range of Nani Iro prints. These have proved to be really popular since we launched, so we've brought in a further 3 new designs now with more to follow in the Autumn.

The Pierre Pocho in Sage sold really well for us, and we felt that Corsage in a 2 ply knit was a great move on for us, the base colour is again in Sage, the design this time with lovely bright pops of yellow flowers and shimmer.

Next we have Freeway in tones of grey in a double gauze fabric. This beautiful striped design is a new design for 2015 and one which we can't wait to use!

Finally we have Water Window, again in Grey, which is printed on a cotton linen mix fabric, we love the hand painterly quality of this print, it would work well for both home furnishing projects and also for dressmaking where a heavier weight quality fabric is required.

We'd love to see what you make with them! Do email us your photos to karen@drapersdaughter.com.

To make way for new fabrics just in, and on the way, we've marked down some of our current stock by 30% - choose from some of our gorgeous Nani Iro fabrics, including Pierre Pocho in Teal, and Sen Ritsu; as well as some of our lovely 100%Organic Cotton Ginghams and Crossweaves!

Stocks are limited so you'll need to be quick, click on the photo below to go to our Sale Fabric page...

We're really pleased to have added a selection of Oliver + S children's sewing patterns to our collection. Designed by Liesl Gibson, we particularly like their modern, contemporary look, making them perfect to compliment our range of adult patterns.

Their aim is to create sewing patterns you can reply on and that you'll turn to again and again! The patterns are really well designed with interesting details. We've yet to make up a pattern, but we've taken a look at the instructions, which seem to be really comprehensive and clearly illustrated.

We've deliberately selected the newer patterns within the Oliver + S Range, the designs of which have modern silhouettes and detailing such as paneling, top-stitching and pleat interest.

Choose from the Carousel Dress Pattern, a modern style with beautiful paneling which is top-stitched and raglan sleeves. With no fancy buttonholes or set in sleeves, this is an easy pattern to make up! The Lunch Box Tee + Culottes Pattern features wide, pleated culottes which look like a full skirt but are more versatile; and a boxy knit top which can be made as either a t-shirt with cuffed sleeves or as a sweatshirt with pockets within the front panel. Or how about the Playtime Dress, Tunic + Leggings Pattern, which includes an easy to sew dress and tunic, both of which can be made using woven or knit fabrics. The leggings though have been designed for knit fabrics and are made from just one pattern piece. The dress and tunic can be dressed up or down depending on the fabrics you choose.

Finally, we have the Lullaby Layette Set Pattern, the pieces in this set all work together to create a lovely wardrobe for little ones up to 24 months. There's a bodysuit, shirt, elasticated pull on trousers and a reversible jacket to make in light to medium-weight woven and knit fabrics.

Initially we've bought the older size patterns which are for ages 5 to 12, however we'd love to hear from you if you'd like us to stock the smaller size range of 6 months to 4 years; and also what other patterns you'd like us to add to the range.

And we'd love to see your patterns made up so please send your photos to me at karen@drapersdaughter.com