Merchant & Mills Sewing Book

March 10, 2014
"We love sewing and believe in it," the introduction to this book declares, in a sort of manifesto for the British company, Merchant & Mills, which has put its stamp on this guidebook to all things sewing. The overview of the foundations of sewing â tools, fabric, techniques â is somewhat hampered by what some will find to be a rather deliberately twee aesthetic: black and white abounds, a chapter is titled "Haberdashery: A Panoply of Small Things," and there are no photos of either irons or sewing machines manufactured in this century. But the projects section offers enticingly simple and sturdy- looking items. The Maker's Apron is the kind of classic piece a man or woman would delight in, while the Tailored Shawl is timeless and appealing. Instructions are clear and well-illustrated, although sewists should acquaint themselves with the book's unusual cutting guides before beginning. Black and white and full-color photos and illustrations. Pattern packet.

April 15, 2014
Denham and her business partner Roderick Field founded the English haberdashery shop Merchant & Mills in 2010 and their gorgeously packaged notions and sewing kits (designed with a uniquely Victorian aesthetic) can be seen on sewists' wish lists and Pinterest boards. Denham brings her sewing knowledge and old-fashioned style to this sewing guide, which covers a selection of techniques for hand and machine sewing, along with vintage-style projects designed to reinforce the methods and skills shown in this book. The highlight is the extensive coverage of sewing ideas, which includes information about different types of scissors, needles, and pins--something that most similar manuals gloss over. The author uses illustrations rather than photographs for many of her examples, which, though lovely, may prove frustrating to novices who need a little more detail and direction. VERDICT Hipster sewists will be drawn to the dry humor and gorgeous aesthetics but this book isn't really a how-to-sew guide, rather it covers "how to use old-fashioned techniques to sew better."

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