It’s our birthday! 15 years on Catherine Hill.

Happy 15th birthday Millie Moon

 we are celebrating!

 

On 4th July 2008, we opened Millie Moon on Catherine Hill. It was truly our “Independence Day’ as we followed a childhood dream to open a shop together. It was on the opposite side of the hill to where we are now, we had a very small start-up budget and opened with a limited but gorgeous range of products.

15 years later, a bigger shop and a lot more stock we are still loving life at Millie Moon. Working together all these years, has got us through some difficult times, as well as creating some amazing memories. We have been very lucky to have been supported by our families and our customers, some who we now call our dear friends.

thank you everyone!

Rachel and Becki xx

Then and now, changed much? 

4/7/2008

 

4/7/2023

New product launch

To celebrate we have exciting new exclusive Millie Moon products to launch!

Becki has been working really hard on a simple pattern range for everyone. So far we have launched the Adult and Kids Aprons and we now have two new kids patterns to share with you.

The Dotty Dress and the Tilly Romper.

 

The Dotty Dress and the Tilly Romper (named after our two nans) are suitable for ages 6-18 months. A multi-sized simple beginners pattern. These patterns are available online and instore £10 each. BUY HERE

 

We also have a new exciting fabric from @koolKactus.  The celebration fabric is great fun for a party dress! We have made two for the window, the Liberty Natasha tiered dress and Anna Vickery kids party dress. Both patterns and fabric are now available in the shop.

Buy fabric here 

Special birthday discount! 

15%

As its our birthday we are offering you all a little gift!

On the 4th July 2023 there is 15%off all products in store and on the website.

Just say happy birthday at the till or pop the code happybirthday15 in at the checkout.

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The discount is valid for one day only and cannot be used on workshops or gift vouchers. 

 

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Getting a decent photo of us is really hard! One we are not usually in the shop together except for market day and two, we are sisters. Sensible is not our thing, we automatically revert to being kids…but we always have time to check in with each other, have a natter and cuppa.

Summer workshops at Millie Moon

Hi Hello to you all,

So it’s been a bit of a damp spring so far, so we have decided to look forward to all the bank holidays and hopefully some sunshine in May. However you are spending the extra holidays, we hope you have some fun! Sorry to all those of you that have to work. After many years in retail, we both know how hard it is working weekends and bank holidays when everyone else seems to be enjoying themselves. (But, don’t worry when they all go back to work, the sun will shine and it will be your day off!)

We have had the deliveries of all the lovely new fabrics we promised. The new rayons, dobby and chambrays are gorgeous for the summer season. We are now waiting for the fabulous Merchant and Mills linens to arrive back in stock. We’ve also had a lovely delivery of The Assembly Line Patterns and the latest edition of Tauko magazine has arrived. Perfect for that inspiration.

 

Fabric Godmother Rayons, crepes and lawns – Buy here 

Pastel Chambrays – Buy here

Cotton Dobby – Buy here 

 

Tauko magazine – Buy here 

 

Workshops for Summer

May- August 

Never used a sewing machine before? Want to be more sustainable and not add to the fast fashion? Maybe you need to find something to do with all those baby clothes you kept? We have a workshop for you

 

NEW WORKSHOP!

Join Becki on this brand new beginners workshop. This 3 week evening class  is designed for those that are complete beginners to a Sewing Machine. Learn the basic skills for sewing alongside making some simple projects to take home. All equipment and machines are here at Mille Moon for you to use and the price includes your choice of fabrics for each of your projects so no need to bring anything! This class will give you the foundations in machine sewing that you will feel confident to go onto one of the other classes, maybe dressmaking or patchwork.

Starts Tuesday 23rd may for 3 weeks 6-8pm £115  book now 

other Summer workshops available: 

21st May – Beginners quilting and patchwork ,with Lucy @tuckitinquilts

23rd May- Beginners machine sewing course, with Becki

9th July – Darning and Sashiko visible mending with Skye

16th July – Beginners Quilting and patchwork with Lucy

23rd July- Stretch garment making with Anna

25th July – 6 week evening class , beginners dressmaking with Anna

13th August – Garment making workshop – make a merchant and mills pattern in a day with Anna (images below)

For more information go to the website or Book here

We also offer 1-1 sessions, whether you need help with getting to grips with your overlocker, or just some dressmaking advice. We also have our regular clubs running –

2nd Monday of the month – kids club with Claire and Ammie

2nd Thursday of the month – Sewcial Club with Becki

last Sunday of the month – Teens dressmaking club with Anna

Images from “Garment in a day! Make a Merchant and Mills pattern in a day workshop with Anna 

Sewcial Club,

This monthly open shop night is designed to bring our lovely customers together over tea and cake, but also giving people a chance to use our space and machines that they may not have access to at home. Come regularly and chat, sew and share your tips with each other or just come and finish that little sewing job you’ve been unable to do before. We do ask you book in advance so there’s plenty of space and cake for everyone!

Time 5.30-7.30pm £6 per person on  2nd Thursday of every month.

next one will be 9th march  Book here 

 

 

Keep sewing and a big thanks, as always, for supporting our small independent business. Our April pattern review will be out of next week! Hopefully see you soon in the shop, at the independent market, on a workshop or maybe at our Sewcial club,

Rachel and Becki xx

The March review

Hello and welcome to our monthly review blog post!

Each month we will be trying patterns from different independent pattern companies and working with different fabrics we stock here in the shop. We will make them up on our work bench, so you can see the finished garment sample. We have found having the samples made up in the shop really helps people decide on a pattern, so if you can’t pop in and browse the rails, hopefully this will help you decide.

We always make the garments up in our current fabric ranges so they match the season and this season we’ve gone very pastel for spring! Although the wet dark day outside is not really shouting spring but our windows are cheery!

This months Patterns used are:

The Stevie by Sew La Di Da vintage £18

The Elvis by Sew La Di Da vintage £18

The tunic dress (kids) by Anna Vickery £10

 

The Stevie BY Sew La Di Da Vintage

The Stevie pattern pays homage to the legendary Stevie Nicks. It’s floaty, swishy and has fabulous sleeves. Perfect for swirling and dancing.

This pattern has lots of options, Short, long, with ruffle bottom, with ruffle sleeves or go for it and have all the ruffles. Sized from 6 to 20, but we always recommend you go by your measurements rather than dress size. Dress sizes vary so much between designers and none of us really fit in the same box do we? There are no zips or buttons. Great for beginners.

I used a lovely soft lightweight cotton gingham on this pattern (£16 per metre). Perfect for summer, dress it up for a wedding or even for the beach over a bikini. This would be fabulous in our new double gauze fabrics that have just arrived. Customise it with fringing, or maybe make it in lace for true Stevie style.

The pattern is printed on a lovely heavy weight paper, making it easy to use. The instructions are clear with photos making it easy to follow. The fit was on the generous side, so please do check your measurement before you buy the fabric. The version I made was a size 16 and had no frills to make it more of a casual day dress, plus it saves quite a bit of fabric if you are on a budget. However I think next time I will definitely add the frill on the bottom.  Think the double gauze is calling me. “Everywhere”

Level Beginner

Total Cost £63.75

Buy here:

Pattern £18

Fabric £42.40 (2.65m)

Interfacing £1.20 (30cm)

Thread £2.15

Back of Pattern

Back of Pattern

Finished dress

Finished dress

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Elvis Jumpsuit by Sew La di da Vintage

The Elvis pattern needs no explanation . You “can’t help falling in love” with it’s stylish collar and has fabulous wide legs. Perfect for swinging those hips!

This pattern has lots of options. It can be made in full length, shorts or as a dress! With optional cuffs and back yoke, the creative options are endless. Plus you can alter the length of the body to make it fit well.  Sized from 6 to 20, but as we said above we always recommend you go by your measurements rather than dress size.

I used a soft lightweight cotton look linen on this pattern (£8 per metre) in a bright blue with a coordinating pink zip. This could be made up in denim, Canvas, linen, cotton or even a rayon. You need a lot of fabric for this pattern, so this fabric was a cheaper option than using 100% linen but still has the soft slubby look. The fit was on the generous side, so please do check your measurement before you buy the fabric

The pattern is printed on a lovely heavy weight paper, making it easy to use. The instructions are clear with photos making it easy to follow. It gets a little tricky with the collar, which is why it is an intermediate pattern rather than beginners. Hopefully it won’t leave you “all shook up” !

Level – Intermediate

Total Cost £62.75

Buy here:

Pattern £18

Fabric £36 (4.5m)

Zip £3

Thread £2.15

 

Back of pattern

Finished jumpsuit

About Sew La Di Da Vintage:

Based in Lyme Regis, Caroline Smith and her team create “vintage patterns’  cut to modern sizes. They have designed and produced a range of vintage style dress patterns that are great for beginners. The ‘Stevie’ and the ‘ELvis’ patterns are  from their new “frock star” collection and are £18.00. Find out more @sewladidahvintage


The tunic dress by Anna Vickery 

 

The tunic dress by Anna Vickery is a versatile kids pattern for ages 3-12 years.

The long sleeves  and short length make it suitable all year round. It can be worn with leggings, jeans or tights underneath. Also it could be lengthened to make a longer dress. I chose a bright floral Robert Kauffman fabric ‘FLorista for this one to complement our pink and blue adult outfits for the window and used a  bright orange bias binding around the neckline. This sample is age 3-4 years. The dress has an elastic waist and optional elastic around the cuffs.  There are no fastenings or facings. Keeping it simple for beginners to dressmaking.

A very simple pattern to make with good quality pattern paper and multi sized. It has photos to help you follow the instructions. The only tricky bit is probably adding the bias binding. Binding can be a bit fiddly, so take your time.

Level Beginner

Total Cost £29.25

Buy here:

Pattern £10

fabric £16 (1 metre)

Elastic 50p (1 metre)

Bias Binding 60p (1.5m)

Thread £2.15

Back of pattern

Finished dress

About Anna Vickery:

Anna studied Fashion Design at The University of the West of England in Bristol, and has been our in-house dressmaking tutor for 10 years. Anna also works with Womenswear and Bridal designer Alexandra King. 

You can follow Anna on facebook

Anna designed this range of 10 versatile and simple patterns for everyone to have a go with. All patterns are tried and tested in our workshops here at the shop. These patterns are available as Paper patterns or as PDF versions for download and print at home. Multi size easy patterns for ages 1-5 years or 3-12 years

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Hopefully these will have inspired you to have a go at one our patterns. If you still feel nervous why not book onto one of our workshops with Anna. Never used a sewing machine before but want to learn, book our beginners workshops. Just need a little help on specific project then maybe a 1-1 session would be better for you. Just take a look at our workshop pages with upcoming dates. You can book online or in store.

If you have made up one of the patterns, drop us an email with your review and we would love to see pictures! Info@milliemoonshop.co.uk

Happy spring sewing
Rachel and Becki x

Spring workshops and the Return of the Independent Market

Hi Hello to you all,

At last Spring is around the corner and we are beginning to see some sunshine here in Somerset. How about you?

We love Spring at the shop as we start to get deliveries of lovely new fabrics. This season has already seen the arrival of the new Merchant and Mills Linen/Cotton gingham fabrics as well as some lovely costal fabrics from Dashwood. Definitely feeling summer vibes and days at the coast with these.  We have just ordered some very exciting new rayons, cottons, linens and double gauze which should be here next month. These are perfect for dressmaking, especially the new Assembly Line patterns and the new Etta pattern from Merchant and Mills.

Buy here

 

Buy here

The Frome Independent market

Hooray it returns on 5th March. This amazing market takes place on the 1st Sunday of the month from March to December.  A great way to see the local talented artisans and there is always amazing food!

We are open 11-3pm on market Sundays

Workshops for Spring

Never used a sewing machine before? Want to be more sustainable and not add to the fast fashion? Maybe you need to find something to do with all those baby clothes you kept? We have a workshop for you

19th March – Teach me to machine sew, with Angela

21st march –  6 week garment making evening class, with Anna

23rd March – Piped cushion covers, with Becki

16th April  – stretch garment day, learn how to work with stretch fabrics and make a garment (pattern included), with Anna

30tjh April – Sashiko and darning workshops with Skye @slowstitchclub

21st May – beginners quilting and patchwork ,with Lucy @tuckitinquilts

For more information go to the website or Book here

We also offer 1-1 sessions, whether you need help with getting to grips with your overlocker, or just some dressmaking advice

Liberty shirt,Made on the last 6 week class by Stephen

Darning and Sashiko with Skye @slow stitch club

Quilting and Patchwork with Lucy @tuckitinquilts

 

Sewcial Club,

This monthly open shop night is designed to bring our lovely customers together over tea and cake, but also giving people a chance to use our space and machines that they may not have access to at home. Come regularly and chat, sew and share your tips with each other or just come and finish that little sewing job you’ve been unable to do before. We do ask you book in advance so there’s plenty of space and cake for everyone!

Time 5.30-7.30pm £6 per person on  2nd Thursday of every month.

next one will be 9th march  Book here 

 

 

Keep sewing and a big thanks, as always, for supporting our small independent business. Hopefully see you soon in the shop, at market, on a workshop or maybe at our Sewcial club,

Rachel and Becki xx

Sashiko and Visible mending Workshops with Skye from @Slowstitchclub

We are really excited to have Skye from @slowstitchclub on board as a tutor at Millie Moon. We are keen to promote slow fashion and to save clothes from landfill. Repairing clothes in this creative way is a fantastic way to give old clothes new life!

 

 

Get started with visible mending:

Slow stitch club teaches the art of visible mending using simple sewing techniques to repair clothing in a creative, visible and intentional way.

In this two hour workshop we will look at the best ways to repair particular pieces of clothing and fabrics using techniques such as darning, patching and Sashiko and I will be on hand to share tips and tricks about the processes as we mend along together. 

This workshop is suitable for beginners and sewing enthusiasts alike.

All materials are provided: just bring your own item of clothing to mend or decorate.

⚠ It is recommended that you bring an item that has a small area to repair to start with or something that you are happy to practice on ⚠

      

 


About slow stitch club:

slow stitch club is all about making visible mending accessible for everyone.

Whether you’re a stitching wizard or have never picked up a needle and thread before, I want to share the skills you can use to extend the lives of your clothes and keep them from landfill.

After studying fashion design at university, I graduated with a very different view of the industry, and wanted to push against it. From that point on I continued to learn and educate myself; about the vast quantities of clothing that is sent to landfill, the devastating environmental impacts of textiles production as well as the horrifying truths about garment workers and their lack of rights.

The importance of caring for and extending the lives of the clothes that already exist in the world became hugely important to me, and I set out to help teach others about learning to fix their clothing through the practice of visible mending.

Mending is a hugely creative and intentionally slow and therapeutic skill, and the community surrounding it is super inspiring. I hope you’ll join us to learn a new skill and be a part of the change to fight against fast fashion whilst taking care of the clothes you love.

 

Skye

 

 

Links: 

https://www.instagram.com/slowstitchclub/

https://www.slowstitch.club/

 

The next workshop with Skye is Sunday 20th March 2022 11-1Pm  To book call the shop or pop in. Alternatively you can book on the website here

 

Capacity and pricing:

8 people per workshop, £35 each for a two hour workshop including your own Visible Mending starter kit.