Merchant & Mills Workbook

[SponsoredByTheBadFairy]

My copy came today! Have been drooling over the patterns but can't pick which one to make first...happy problem to have

Anyone else treated themselves to it?

[lavendersun]

I have it but haven't made anything out of it yet. Is yours the one with a couple of patterns at the back? Not much in the way of clothing?

Their dress patterns are generally lovely, but I always have to adjust the shoulder seams otherwise the front neck is too high on me, and I always end up reducing any binding by 1/3 as it seems a bit big.

We are going down to Sussex next week and I might pop into the shop which is very exciting. I have so many projects stacked up though and no time to sew until the end of June so I must not get carried away .

[SponsoredByTheBadFairy]

Good luck with no getting carried away!

It's this one merchantandmills.com/products/gift/workbook-new/
All clothing, with full size patterns included at the front (not that I've opened the section with pattern pieces yet as far too tempting for LO to crayon on!)

[lavendersun]

That looks nice, I have a different M & M book. I have a few very similar patterns to those shown in the photos so may be able to resist buying that one!

[lavendersun]

Sponsored, I bought the book which is lovely, not too much of a crossover with all their patterns I currently own. Also bought some fabrics and another pattern. It is a really lovely place, there are some lovely things in there that aren't on the web page.

[GetMeOut]

Lavender ,
That sounds interesting; what sort of things ? I might have an opportunity to go in there this week. Do you know how long it takes to get there from Eastbourne?
I have just got the book too and am thinking of cutting out the sleeveless bias top today ( as it's meant to be 28c next weekend ) Hard to believe at the moment

[lavendersun]

Lots more lovely fabric. They had a lovely cornflower blue oilcloth.

I am now thinking of making their anorak in the blue stuff although I will need to buy more. Not sure on distance tbh. It is about 2 hours for DH but he has agreed to go there for me when killing time.

I bought some of the Japanese cotton to make the Trapeze dress which I plan on doing before I go to London for the weekend in a couple of weeks.

You will love it if you go there ... I am starting to look like a M & M catalogue, whenever I am dressed in something other than jeans and walking trousers it seems to be a M & M item.

[GetMeOut]

Thanks.
Have you see the Merchant and Mills t shirts on the Uniglo website ? You really could be a walking advert then !

[lavendersun]

Nooooo! As much as I love their sewing ethos I couldn't wear a logo (too old) .

Amazing company though and I share many of their views - like good fabric, simple design and patience usually = something very lovely and not necessarily cheaper than buying it, but lovely.

[GetMeOut]

www.uniqlo.com/uk/store/feature/uq/ut/merchantandmills/

I agree ! But I've tried to attach the link anyway.....

I was originally drawn to them as I liked their comment about avoiding fastenings if at a possible...and I've since fallen in love with their quality fabrics.

I'm just trying to finish a Camber Dress in the cotton Woodblock print at the moment ( with contrast sleeves, yoke and binding...).I'm really trying to believe there will be a heatwave soon....

[lavendersun]

Do post a photo when you have finished it, it sounds lovely.

I wore a Camber dress yesterday, I have made three so far, I love them. I made the first one a size too big but still wear it/love it.

It was amazing in the shop, they have samples made up of most of the patterns. I haven't made the Trapeze but have had the pattern for ages. They had made it in a heavy wool tweed and a fine cotton. I was surprised that it was so adaptable.

I have got to finish writing a paper by 8 June and then have 4 days to make two Trapeze dresses for my weekend away. My fabric stash includes this:

stokermills.com/collections/linen-blend-1/products/tallow

and this

merchantandmills.com/products/cotton/nikko-red-cotton/

I think I am going to use those for the Trapeze dress, I just need the time.

Stoker Mills is lovely if you like that sort of thing, really lovely quality.

[GetMeOut]

Wow - they look lovely fabrics. I think I might like Stoker Mills !

I had been looking at the Trapeze pattern as well; the short sleeved top looks good. It does seem very versatile in terms of fabrics. The Camber would probably work in thicker fabrics as well come to think of it.

So many ideas; not enough time !

Again, would love to see photos when you have finished.

[lavendersun]

getmeout - I just noticed the price on the tallow fabric, I bought it in March and only paid £34 for 2m including shipping from NI - big difference!

I am exactly the same, too many ideas, too little time, that is why I have got 3 x 84l boxes of fabrics I suppose , gets used eventually!

I will try to remember photos. I am good with a deadline - I really want to wear the trapeze dress when I go away so I should manage one at least.

[GetMeOut]

Lavender- you did well ! I do like a fabric bargain.

Here's my Camber attempt; just finished - with apologies to M & M for the 'styling' !

[lavendersun]

That looks lovely getmeout, very stylish photo!!! Lovely fabric combination too. Do you like the fit? I love the relaxedness of it but have worn a belt and a short cardigan and one of them felt quite 'grown up' almost business like with boots and a belt.

The Stoker Mills thing is odd, it wasn't reduced, they just seem to have increased the price, or perhaps it was a mistake - still lovely.

[GetMeOut]

Thank you ! It's very fine cotton - almost a lawn I would say.
I am actually planning to wear this for work, so like your idea of a belt.
I did actually make it in a size down from the size I normally make, and even then took an extra 0.5cm off the side seams to give it the more fitted look I was after. The yoke fits beautifully though and the arm holes too, which I find can be too big for me in shop bought dresses.
I added an extra 7.5cm to sleeves as I have added a turn up.
I also added about 10 cm to length - I don't like me knees on show at work !

I think if I was making a more casual version though I would happy with the original fit. They are very adaptable patterns though, which I like. I spent a long time working on the 101 trouser pattern to get the fit I wanted. But only because I have unusual measurements, nothing wrong with the pattern. So, now I have my templates sorted out for both dress and trousers it makes the whole process much quicker as I know they are going to fit.

[lavendersun]

It is really lovely getmeout, very suitable for work, and comfortable and individual and all those other nice things that home made things are (am meant to be writing here but browsing instead .

I altered mine too, a bit longer (am 5'8), went down a size, reduced the width of the binding to 2/3 of the original and I altered the shoulder seam.

I found that the neck rode up a bit so I shortened the front shoulder and lengthened the back, only by a cm but it made a big difference, I must be a different shape too.

[SponsoredByTheBadFairy]

Lovely pic Getmeout - nice work! Have just managed to finish the last of many half-finished dress for LO so it might finally be time to make something for me!

[GetMeOut]

Thank you Sponsored !
Enjoy choosing and making something for yourself.

[lavendersun]

I am wearing a camber dress today - I am absolutely itching to get going on the Trapeze dresses but have had to request an extension on one of my assignments (two days free when I need two weeks!).

I haven't got enough Swedish tracing paper either and want to make it in that first as I haven't made it at all yet. Hopefully that will come tomorrow and I can do it bit by bit when my brain is fried from writing.

[GetMeOut]

Sleeveless vest finished yesterday !
This is cut on the bias, and it really does turn a simple vest into something special ( though that is hard to see on the hangar ).
The pattern recommended 1.5m, but I got it out of a 1m of washed European linen that I had already ( this is an M & M fabric - the colour is calamine; a very soft pink ).
I would say this pattern runs true to size and is quite close fitting. I made it in a size down ( as I had in other M & M patterns ) and it is actually quite a tight fit round the bust and I had to do the seams as small as I could in order to get it on ! As such, it is quite a smart fitting, but I might make my next one a size up so it is a bit more relaxed. The linen will stretch out though, as will the bias, so I'm not too bothered.

[lavendersun]

That is really pretty Getmeout. A lovely delicate colour. Nice to know about the sizing, thank you.

I have got an extension on my submission and am going to start a Trapeze dress. I know it is loose fitting but I measured where my bust will be and the pattern was 46" - might go down two sizes.

The swedish tracing paper came and I am going to cut out the size below my normal one first and then reduce it I think.

I can't decide where to match the check, if it matches on the shoulders it won't on the side and vice versa. Almost thinking of doing it in something else while I think about it.

I have got 2 metres of this somewhere - might actually make it in this one first.

www.sewbox.co.uk/fabrics/liberty-fabrics/liberty-tana-lawn-ltl03637013c.html

Did you manage to get to the shop Getmeout.

[GetMeOut]

Thank you, Lavender.
I have just checked my Vogue Sewing, and it says you should match plaid ( checks) at the armhole seam line at the notch but you will have difficulty matching diagonals at the shoulder seam as well. The side seams will not match above the bust dart either.

Yes, I did make it to the shop ! I tried to get an idea of what I wanted before I went so I wasn't totally overwhelmed. And I managed to stick pretty much to my plan ! I got a navy blue denim chambray for the curlew dress ( only £6.75 a meter ) and a thin black denim ( 5oz) for the long swish skirt in the book. They had it made up in this and I really liked it , though would have never have thought to have chosen it myself. I might make the skirt a bit shorter than shown though.
Lovely place

I hope the Trapeze goes well with whatever material you choose

[lavendersun]

Thanks getmeout, I have done it before but can't remember how. That sounds slightly familiar - maybe I will give the M&M check a go then.

I need to be really happy with it as I think I only have time for one. I bought the liberty stuff for a Camber dress - would prefer to use it for that as it is very very thin and silky.

I will research matching at the armhole seam line (hate matching checks and usually avoid them).

[lavendersun]

Well, the trapeze doesn't have a bust dart (have just traced it) and I have found this method which looks very easy so I am going to go for it! I now remember why I don't do checks.

grainlinestudio.com/2013/12/10/sewing-tutorial-quick-easy-plaid-matching/

[lavendersun]

I did it in the M&M fabric Getmeout, I could have sworn I had bought the red check, but it was the green one!

I actually made my normal size after I had traced the pattern as it wasn't that big on the shoulders - it is a very very very loose fit though, probably too loose for me but I am going to see how I feel after I have worn it.

I changed it a bit though (as you do) and self bound the sleeves and neckline (again). I was going to do short sleeves but decided that normal sized arms sticking out of the top part would probably balance the width of the dress!

I had to make a quick dash to my local haberdashery for some binding tape for the hem as it is quite curved and I struggled with the hem.

After deciding that arms would be good I opted for the self binding as I felt that it gave it a more casual feel.

Definitely needs a long silk scarf or something else (I don't usually do much in the way of accessorising).

Feels a bit too Victorian utilitarian right now but once I wear it with something like a scarf it might grow on me.

Pattern matching is absolutely perfect! Very pleased with that.