Merchant & Mills Workbook: A collection of versatile sewing patterns for an elegant all season wardrobe

by Merchant Mills

Make six classic garments and create a stylish multi-layered wardrobe from scratch. Full-size patterns are provided for a neat vest with a boxer back detail, an elegant bias-cut long-sleeved dress, a simple long gathered skirt with a drawstring waist, a batwing wrap top, an oversized drop-shoulder jacket and a pair of classic wide leg trousers. By choosing seasonal cloth, the versatility of these projects can be enjoyed from the first hint of spring to the end of winter. The aim of this book is to move beyond simplicity and dare the maker to develop new skills. With variations for tops, dresses, shorts and a coat, our precise step-by-step instructions and inspiring photography will enable you sew with confidence. The reward will be an all season, multi-layer wardrobe by your own hand. We hope you, the reader, are ready for this set of challenges and willing to pace yourselves through the more complicated garments. Full-size patterns for all six garments are included, ready to be traced off and put to good use immediately. Make fashion work.

Genres: Sewing, Crafts

144 pages, Paperback

First published May 28, 2015

Reviews

[Paola · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Haremere coat, attualmente in confezione.
Il libro é bello tutto, sembra confezionato come un capo di haute couture, belle le foto, i disegni che spiegano passo passo la confezione del modello, le modelle sono persone normali con pancetta e non, sul loro sito poi c'é la giovincella e l'anziana che indossano lo stesso capo. E naturalmente ci sono i cartamodelli degli abiti, grandezza 1:1, taglie dalla small alla large.
Alcuni modelli più elaborati altri meno difficili, necessitano però almeno di qualche conoscenza di base per poterli eseguire.
Sul loro sito vi sono anche le loro stoffe, una meraviglia i tessuti di lana, i lini, i canvas di cotone, e anche i prezzi sono nella norma, alcuni dei loro tessuti li si trova anche da noi in vendita , almeno in internet, ma il prezzo raddoppia naturalmente. Uff.
Ho scoperto il cucito durante la chiusura pandemica e ne sono divenuta un'adepta convinta, non solo perché alla fine hai un capo fatto su misura del colore e della stoffa che vuoi, ma anche e soprattutto perché ti chiede di attivare diverse funzioni: la logica, si ha da fare calcoli e tirare righe, l'intuito, devi poterti immaginare come sarà il capo finito o quale risultato vuoi ottenere con la cucitura che stai facendo, la sensazione, il sentire il tessuto l'apprezzare la sua consistenza ma anche quale piedino andrà meglio per cucirlo.

[Irene Adler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very much in the Merchant and Mills style, a collection of basic patterns to build a timeless wardrobe. I quibble with word elegant, and versatile is in the eye of the beholder. Wardrobe staples is a better description IMO, if you favour a loose, unfitted look in your wardrobe. My beginner sewing friend was a lot more enthusiastic about the collection than I was, and that's because I have enough basic patterns. Although they state in the intro this book is not a beginner's guide to sewing, as there are no instructions on equipment and techniques so um... there is some text on choosing fabric (or cloth) and tracing off the multi-size patterns.

The step by step illustrated instructions for each pattern are excellent, so should suit beginners who can already sew.

Patterns are included although the size range is not extensive:
Bust - 32-42 inches / 82-106cm
Waist - 26-35 inches / 65-89cm
Hips - 35-45 inches / 90-114cm
Australians take note the size range given as 'Australian' on page 143 is wrong - the UK sizes are closer, but you'd be better off comparing your measurements with the European size range which is at least in metric cm.

The garments:
1. Racer back(ish) woven tank (or vest top in their words) - with dress variation.
2. Bias cut dress with skinny sleeves - with sleeveless t-shirt or long sleeve top variation. Looks restrictive and uncomfortable to me, per the photo on page 59...
3. Drawstring waist skirt with side pockets - did I mention basic?
4. Bat-wing wrap top with shawl collar and side tie.
5. Oversize, drop shouldered quarter-lined jacket with shawl collar and patch pockets - I kept thinking shabby professor.
6. Wide-leg straight trousers with pleated front, fly zip and side pockets - these do have a slouchy elegance, more straight leg from the hip than wide-legged palazzo style. I liked the shorts variation too, although less elegant more practical / functional.

I much prefer the patterns on their web-site, which are still timeless but often just a little quirky.

[Gail Richmond · Rating 3 out of 5]

After spending quite a bit of time with tailoring, sewing, pattern-making, and sewing tips and tricks books, I didn’t think, with it’s smaller size parameters, that this was the book for me.
Still some good diagrams and tips that were useful. Glad I checked out from the library and didn’t buy the book.

[Allison MacIsaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to learn about tracing sewing patterns from a book for the first time in a while. They produce good results if you follow the instructions and look at the photographs. I made the stride shorts. The patterns go up to size XL

[Jec · Rating 4 out of 5]

another wonderful book from merchant and mills that i would happily add to my collection.

[Leslie A Ferrell]

Excellent classic wardrobe pieces.

[Cherop · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book with 6 classic and simple patterns. I haven't used them yet but I hope to make something soon.