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“I like my clothes to be beautiful and worn often.” (Lucy Lisle, who enjoyed making The Omilie Dress last year.)
At the end of last year we asked you to share your favourite Merchant & Mills make of 2025. We wanted to see what you’ve all been up to and share your responses with the wider community for inspiration. We weren’t disappointed! The number of responses we received was mind blowing and it’s been a true pleasure for us to read through them all this month. A bit of joy in January.
We also asked what’s first on your make list for 2026. The Sanda was one of our best-selling patterns of last year and also the most common pattern chosen to be your first make of the new year. The Shepherd, Pegs and Florence were the next most popular and a special mention to The September Jacket Hack.
Thank you so much to everyone who submitted a photo or a comment via our portal. We wish we could share them all. Here’s a little selection that we hope you’ll find as inspiring as we did for the year ahead.
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From left to right: @sewing_tracy, @annaperry731, @anniewip, @florenxe_eliza.
Many of the stories were just plain joyful.
@makipesolam made The Trapezette for her granddaughter: “You have no idea how happy she was! She was not just twirling around..she was flying!”
@oddsy1 made The Foreman Jacket: “I even had a YOUNG person tell me they loved it and asked where I got it from … Peak!”
Kerry Lowdon is going to make The Weekender bag this year: “Just love making bags, ease me into new year whilst thinking of all the trips I’m planning to take it on in 2026.”
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From left to right: @jonahnsage, @katilulemakes, @oddsy1, @suannbell.
Unsurprisingly, many of the favourites were also celebration outfits or gifts.
@findingmaj made a sunny Ellsworth and Shepherd Skirt outfit: “I finished them in time to wear for the private view of the Plein Air Competition at Rye Art Gallery, in which I had 3 works accepted. It was the first time I had ever hung work in a gallery, and it was my birthday, so it was a real day of celebration.”
@red_breast_stitches made The Trapeze Party Dress Hack in some amazing Smocked Cotton: “I made this as my holiday dress and my retirement dress after 35 years serving mothers and babies as a nurse and midwife. It now holds my most precious memories of being surrounded by dearly loved family and colleagues.”
@ pianogirlxf made a special Ellis dress: “I decided to use winter hymn… but to add a Scandinavian-inspired cross-stitch design to the skirt and sleeves to give it a more wintry and festive feel. I love it. I wear it to parties and concerts and church and everywhere I go people stop me to ask where I bought the dress.”
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From left to right: @the_seams_i_sew, @2littlebirds, @ellaesthersews, @corriesfancygoods.
One of the themes that particularly resonated with the M&M team was hearing how empowering and freeing you all find making your own clothes.
@ellie.joy.sews made The Ludlow for her husband: “My husband is pretty big and tall and finding clothes that fit both him and his character isn’t always the easiest thing to do. Being able to make the Ludlow for him, tailoring the arm and body length to fully fit him, as well as adding fun contrasting facings to a super cosy fabric, was very special! He never takes it off!”
@hexenstrick is going to make the perfect skirt next year, weighing up The Shepherd and Nevis patterns: “I don’t have a single skirt in my wardrobe and I really want one (or three) but I can never find what I like in the shops… There’s a large part of me that still can’t believe the power to solve this issue is in my own hands, and that I don’t have to wait around to find the clothes that I want in the shops.”
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From left to right: @ellie.joy.sews, @thereelbobbins, @alwaysaheart, @isabellemakesclothes.
Some of you embarked on a labour of love. The makes that represented a step up in your sewing skills also featured often!
@sewing _tracy made a patchwork Peter Pan Collar Trapeze from our pattern bundle: “Loved using up what I had. I keep all the scraps from previous makes and was great to piece them together to create new unique fabric”
@suannbell made The Honey: “Growth often comes from noticing the small things: the corners, the finishes, the decisions that shape how a garment behaves. With the Honey, I learned techniques I now carry forward, and that sense of progress made the process deeply satisfying. Proof that the juice is, indeed, worth the squeeze!”
@anniewip made The Thelma boilersuit: “The pattern and narrow fabric width required me to sew slow: I took my time pattern matching and cut each pattern piece out individually—this was practically zero waste! The handloom denim is so special and full of character and the pop of red from the Jardin lining always makes me smile. The boiler suit is ridiculously comfortable, all weather, all terrain, and always looks chic and pulled together. It strikes that perfect balance between museum curator and train conductor (goals)”
@ ms_amandakris is going to make The Cawley or Shepherd skirt this year: “I enjoy sewing both the Cawley and Shepherd patterns and appreciate how those patterns help me slow down and improve my skills. I have made a couple of each and am looking to add another version in a different color this year.”
From left to right: @softstuffprojects, @dorryvanosch, @ms_amandakris, @kerrylowdon.
Many of you chose a sentimental make as your favourite of the year. A piece that marks a special time, place or person or a meditative make that allowed you to process a difficult time. It was really touching to read your messages:
@catford_quilters made a really unique Sanda jacket: “My brilliant mother makes shibori fabric... I enjoyed patching and quilting them together for this jacket. This was supposed to be a wearable toile before I make it as a present for a dear friend. Not only was Sanda an enjoyable make, but I had two of my favourite people in mind as I made it.”
@jparan75 made The Trapeze party dress for their daughter: “The dress was a dream to make… but sewing for my daughter as she awaited her first child (and my first grandchild) made this the most mindful and joyful make of 2025.”
@needle_and_skein made The Rugby Dress: “The Rugby dress was the spark that ignited my long-held wish to learn to sew… I learned to sew during treatment for breast cancer; slowly, slowly building up my skills and practice so that one day, I would be able to sew the Rugby dress. Wearing it reminds me that even in tough times, there are always small joys to be had and I feel sure that those good memories will outshine the darker ones.”
From left to right: @miikwood, @maddyannee_sews, @pianogirlxf, @hexenstrick.
We also felt touched by the mention of projects that felt like an act of self care or even a kind of home-coming:
Misty Morrison’s favourite was The Florence dress: “I’ve been insecure about my body and my skills as a seamstress since becoming a Mom of two (age 3 and 6) but this make has helped me feel at home in both again for the first time.”
@2littlebirds made The Ottoline Jacket in an Indigo blue linen: “It’s not often I get to make something for myself but I asked for the pattern and fabric for my birthday and took some time out to make it. I’ve worn it and washed it and it gets better and better.”
@jonahnsage made a Sanda jacket that’s become a wardrobe staple: “Every time I wear it, friends comment on it, which always makes me smile, but what I love most is remembering how much care went into making it. I put so much time and effort into the details… It’s one of those pieces that truly feels like me.”
Thanks again to everyone who took the time to share their makes with us. We’re so proud and grateful to be a part of your sewing journey. Keep sharing your makes with us on Instagram to inspire and grow our community. Let’s make more makers! #mmsocialclub