Merchant and Mills Bantam top/dress

I simply had to make something from Merchant and Mills.  Have you seen their site?  Here is a link if you are interested: Merchant and Mills

I love the simplicity of their designs and the way their garments are executed.  This pattern is super simple but I really love it.  It comes from this book: 
Here's a line drawing of the pattern from the book:

This is a photo from the book I found on Pinterest.  

See what I mean by super simple?  

This one, is by far my favorite.  I used a cotton that was prepared for ice-dying, and I had a blast dying it last summer.  I love the colors and the pattern.  No two pieces ever turn out the same so this was a lot of fun for me!

Using the book as a guide for my sizing, I decided to go with a large and whoa-boy it was HUGE!!!  I took about two inches off each side seam.  I would say I ended up with somewhere between a small and a medium.  With a pattern like this, I think it is better to err on the side of caution and cut it a bit bigger as you can always take it in.

You'll notice on this version that I decided to have exposed bands at all the edges: neckline, armscyes, and lower hem.  I didn't want my fun fabric to hide on the insides!

If you have the right bra, this is a bra friendly design. 

After this success, I decided to lengthen the pattern about 12" and make a dress.  

This time I used this shocking pink linen! 

The hubby thinks this looks trashy, but I don't.  What do you think?

To me, it is perfect for lounging around on a super hot summer day, or wearing it to run errands.

If you've never tried M & M patterns, do give them a try!  I am going to make the skirt next from the book I showed at the beginning of this post.

Happy sewing!

Sue

My first Merchant and Mills Dress Shirt Pattern

Oh, I have been in love with this pattern ever since I first saw it on Pinterest.

I tried to find it to purchase and when I was in Denver for a business trip, I found the pattern at Fancy Tiger Crafts but with the multiple bolts of fabric I had in my hand, the patterns I had and the very limited room in my suitcase I decided to put the pattern back....but I still ached for it, incredibly so!

I had to have it and so I did the only reasonable thing a girl can do and ordered it online.  Finally, it was in my possession!

This is my wearable muslin.  There is something about the simplicity of this pattern and the easy fit that just really draw me to it.  If you haven't heard of Merchant and Mills they are based out of England.  The description from the back of the envelope is this: The Dress Shirt is relaxed, loose and absurdly comfortable.  Its signature silhouette is inspired by a classic gentleman's shirt.  

Suitable fabrics include cotton, linen, lightweight denim, washed silk and baby whale corduroy.  It is noted to choose a relaxed fabric that will make a nice pleat down the front.  You are encouraged to use the bust measurement to fit the dress as it is an easy fit.

Based on my measurements and high bust, I made a size 12.  The dress doesn't call for a dart, but I put one in and am glad I did.  It lies so much better down the front.  I should have taken a before picture but forgot!


I choose to make the version with the rolled sleeves, and there is a short sleeved view as well.

 

I used a black chambray I purchased from Fabric Mart for my muslin.  This picture shows the details of the front which I really like!

I am so pleased with the finishing on this garment.  The manner in which you finish off the back yoke, the shoulder seam, and facings is just lovely and will make me want to purchase many more Merchant and Mills patterns!

I found this easy to put together even though a convex and a concave piece are put together.  I found the directions completely adequate for this and to me this made perfect sense.  Some other online reviews mentioned the directions for this stop were a little confusing but I didn't think they were at all.  I did notice that I made the pleat incorrectly!  It should not have been inverted.  Oops!

I really like the easy fit of this pattern and the look especially from the front but I thought the back was too roomy and wide.  I messed with adding some pleats, taking in the side seams, and such but decided I didn't want to loose the look of the front and the front details as that is what initially drew me to the pattern.  So, I decided to make a casing for elastic to cinch it up in the back.  I sort of like this but wonder what else I could have done.  Any ideas?  You can tell by the amount I cinched it, that it was very wide in back.  Perhaps this pattern is more suited for a girl with a more athletic build?

I do like this and will wear it and I will make it again.  I choose the black Chambray just because it seemed like the right fabric choice.  It would also be fun in a tiny floral, rather subdued, print as well.

]
\What do you think?  The casing looks a little low in this picture..I'd better reevaluate where I added that!

Thanks for reading!

Sue