Hannah stitched up the Collared Blouse by Puff & Pencil, a modern twist on the classic button-up shirt. The pattern includes a few different sleeve options, and Hannah went for the Cone Sleeves, which add a fun bit of volume and shape.

She used the Fableism Red Dahlia Cotton Fabric, drawn to its subtle woven pattern, lovely weight, and beautiful rich colour. The structured cotton worked perfectly to show off the crisp lines of the blouse while keeping it comfortable to wear.

The fit was true to size, and Hannah made an XS with just a few tweaks — lengthening the sleeves slightly and gathering them into a neat cuff, while cropping the blouse by around 10cm for a more snug fit. She also swapped in larger 15mm buttons to stop the blouse from gaping.

Construction-wise, the instructions were simple and clear, making this a great project for an advanced beginner looking to build confidence with shirts. Hannah did note that the collar construction, while simplified for beginners, doesn’t give quite as neat a finish as she’d like — something she’d change next time.

Hannah’s verdict: “Overall, I like the pattern and how it turned out, but I think I’d make it again in a plain fabric next time — that feels more my style.”

👉 A modern, beginner-friendly shirt pattern with great fit and easy-to-follow instructions — ideal for sewists ready to tackle their first blouse.

Vivvy created a Japanese-inspired hack of The Hattie & Ellis by Merchant & Mills, a beautifully simple design that’s perfect for those “I don’t know what to wear” days. With its clean lines and relaxed silhouette, it’s the ideal throw-on dress that still feels thoughtfully put together.

She used our Core Collection Vintage Black Textured Cotton, a 100% cotton fabric with a lovely weight and subtle texture. It’s structured enough to hold its shape but still soft and breathable, ideal for this minimalist style.

Vivvy made a size 10, shortening the bodice slightly and lengthening the skirt to use the full width of the fabric for a more balanced, longer silhouette. She followed the Merchant & Mills gathered dress hack to get the waistline sitting just right, creating a look that’s both relaxed and refined.

The sleeveless version can be a little fiddly, you make two bodices and join them with separate neck and back facings — but Vivvy found the illustrations super helpful for getting a clean finish. Her top tip? Mark all your notches and take your time matching up the right sides — it’s worth it for a neat result!

Vivvy’s verdict: “It’s the perfect Japanese-style dress with extra flair! I love the darted neckline — it keeps the design simple but never plain.”

👉 A timeless, minimalist make full of Merchant & Mills charm and subtle detail.

Jo stitched up the Wrap Jacket by The Assembly Line, a workwear-inspired, oversized jacket with practical pockets and clean, structured lines. It’s one of those pieces that feels effortlessly cool — perfect for layering over just about anything.

She used the Navy Textured Vintage Cotton from our Core Collection, a fabric she admits she’s slightly obsessed with! The mid-weight cotton was the perfect choice for this pattern — sturdy enough to hold its shape while still soft and comfortable to wear.

Jo cut a size Medium, shortening the length by 3 inches, taking 2cm off the sides, and trimming down the sleeves for a more proportionate fit on her 5’1” frame. Though the pattern describes the fit as oversized (and it is!), her adjustments gave it just the right amount of volume without feeling swamped.

While the instructions were mostly clear, Jo found the neckband a little tricky — there’s quite a bit of hidden ease in that section, which isn’t mentioned in the printed instructions but is explained on The Assembly Line’s website. Her top tip? Use forming tape to prevent stretching, mark every dart carefully, and use Patterntrace sewing guide tape for super-accurate seam allowances.

Jo’s verdict: “I love how it turned out — next time I’d bind the seams inside for a neater finish, but it’s already one of those pieces I reach for all the time.”

👉 A timeless, utility-style jacket with beautiful structure — perfect for intermediate sewists who love a clean, architectural finish.

Alison made the Zero Waste Coat by Birgitte Helmerson, an unlined, oversized unisex coat with batwing sleeves, patch pockets, and a rounded collar. The pattern includes two lengths — short and long — with the longer version featuring a waist tie. True to its name, it’s designed for zero-waste cutting, making clever use of every inch of fabric.

She chose the Natural Geo Diamond Cotton Jacquard from our range, which she dyed emerald green using a Dylon machine pod to give it a bold, one-of-a-kind finish. For the lining, she used our Teal Chicacheetah, combining colour, texture, and sustainability in one creative project.

Alison made the short version, using about 1.5m of fabric, and added a few clever hacks — she lined the coat, added elastic to gather the back hem, and even used her scraps to line the pockets, add an inner pocket, hanging loop, and cute label. The result is a beautiful, structured coat that still feels relaxed and wearable.

She found the instructions clear and agreed the advanced beginner rating was accurate, though adding the lining does make it trickier. Her top tip? Try the unlined version first — or make a simpler zero-waste project beforehand — to get a feel for how these patterns come together.

Alison’s verdict: “I’m really happy with how it’s turned out — it’s heavy, cosy, and I think I’ll wear it a lot.”

👉 A creative, sustainable make that’s equal parts clever and comfortable — perfect for adventurous sewists who love to experiment with fabric and colour.

Rosie made the Fritzi Hoodie by Fibre Mood, a relaxed, unisex sweatshirt pattern that’s perfect for cosy weekends and casual layering. With its dropped shoulders, roomy fit, and classic hoodie style, it’s the kind of staple you’ll reach for again and again.

She used a Black Snuggly Fleece Back Sweatshirting for the main fabric — soft, thick, and perfect for chilly days — and lined the hood with Black Basics Jersey to reduce bulk and keep it comfortable to wear. The combination gives the hoodie a clean, polished finish while staying super warm.

Rosie made a size L for a slightly oversized fit and adjusted the shoulders to drop a little more for that extra relaxed look. The instructions were clear once downloaded from the Fibre Mood website (she found the magazine version a bit tricky to follow). Her top tip? Use a lighter-weight jersey for your hood lining to keep the neckline from feeling tight and bulky.

The fit is true to size, and it’s a great pattern for anyone confident sewing with stretch fabrics. Rosie found the project straightforward, fun, and wearable — the kind of make that instantly becomes a wardrobe go-to.

Rosie’s verdict: “A comfy, classic hoodie that came together beautifully — I’ll definitely be making another.”

👉 A simple, satisfying sew that’s perfect for cosy weekends and confident beginners ready to explore stretch fabrics.