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Our monthly Pattern 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 month we have chosen the lovely soft floaty fabrics by Fabric Godmother and patterns from The Assembly Line.

This months Patterns used are:

The A line midi skirt from @The Assembly Line £21

The Cuff top from @The Assembly Line £21

The  Minimalist Kaftan from @The Assembly Line £21

 

 

The Cuff top from @TheAssemblyline £21.00

The cuff top pattern is a simple beginners pattern. It was easy to follow. Very detailed and helpful tips along the way.  There is a small seam allowance (1cm) so just be careful with the markings and notches. An overlocker is really useful to edge the fabrics as the seam allowance is so small, but you could do this with a zigzag stitch on your machine.

This pattern is available in two size options.  XS-L has a straight fit and features a boat neck. XL-4XL has a more curved fit with more volume under the arm, bust darts and a round neck with keyhole opening at the back. They both feature cap sleeves with wide elastic cuffs.

Sized from XS-4XL (approx 6 to 22), 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.

The lovely soft petula crepe Fabric by @FABRIC GODMOTHER  was perfect for this pattern (£20 per metre).  This would also be fabulous in a rayons, chambray or linen.

A Lovely pattern to get started with and one to make over and over again, a wardrobe staple. There is also a V Neck pattern which has a looser fit with full, gathered sleeves and a cuff dress pattern which has a keyhole opening, elastic waist and side pockets.

Level Beginner

Sizes  – 6-14 or 14-22

Total Cost £48.69

Buy here:

Pattern £21.00

Fabric £24.00 (1.2m)

Interfacing £1.45 (25cm)

Thread £2.15

Elastic £0.80

 

 

 

 

 

The midi skirt  from @The Assembly line £21.00

 

Another lovely pattern for a beginner to garment making. The A-line midi skirt has an A-Line fit and is detailed with an elasticated waist and and slant pockets. Alternative waistband  included in the pattern is a paper bag skirt with belt loops and a belt. There are also different hemlines included in the pattern with the option of an elasticated or rounded hemline.

The lovely soft cotton chambray Fabric was perfect for this pattern (£14per metre).  This would also be fabulous in a Linen or  midweight cotton. It might be ok with a light needlecord for autumn months, we will give it a try later in the year.

Available in sizes, XS-3XL (6-20), The fit was true to size , so the fabric requirement was good, with very little wastage. Again the seam-allowance is small so an overlocker is useful. The slant pockets are really simple to add. Everything is topstitched with gives a really professional finish.

Level – Beginner

Total Cost £49.30

Buy here:

Pattern £21.00

Fabric £23.80 (1.7m)

Thread £2.15

interfacing £1.45

elastic £.90

 

 


The minimalist kaftan by @TheAssemblyline £21

 

The minimalist kaftan dress has a wide, relaxed silhouette. It features a v-neck both from and back,  a box pleat in the back and front panels with slant pockets. This challenging dress pattern is available in 2 sizes. Small fits XS-L and XL fits XL-3XL. As with the others the seam allowance is small and an overlocker is useful.  Although it does require a lot of fabric (approx 3m) There is very little wastage.

It is suitable for Advanced beginners. It’s a fairly easy pattern but the origami style is a bit confusing when you first attempt it. Keep going! It will make sense.

The lovely soft Tobu crepe Fabric by @FABRIC GODMOTHER  was perfect for this pattern (£20 per metre). It would be a lovely dress of a wedding or a summer cover up for a holiday or maybe made in a soft bamboo jersey to lounge in at home. This would also be fabulous in a rayons, chambray or linen.

Level Advanced Beginner

Total Cost £80.15

Buy here:

Pattern £21.00

fabric £56.00 (2.8 metre)

Thread £2.15

Interfacing £1.00

 

 

ABOUT Fabric Godmother fabrics

Fabric Godmother has created fabrics that are desirable, innovative and fun to wear. The Fabric Godmother Collection is full of vibrant conversational prints with a number developed in a exclusive collaboration with the Print Pattern Archive, bringing vintage prints to life. Available in crepe, lawn and Viscose, these fabrics drape beautifully.

(Viscose is a fibre that is derived from wood pulp, making it a natural fabric that is more breathable than cotton. It is also known as Rayon.)

All of the fabric factories are Oeko-Tex standard 100 certified, giving you piece of mind in our modern era of eco awareness.

ABOUT The Assembly Line Patterns

Modern indie sewing patterns from Scandinavia. The Assembly Line is all about clean lines and contemporary designs, functional yet stylish, Simple with an unexpected twist. Whether you’re a beginner or a skilled maker, you’ll love sewing and wearing The Assembly Line designs.  All the patterns are available in paper format and come with easy-to-follow assembly instructions.

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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 sewing

Rachel and Becki x

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