Sewing
The pattern is quite pricey but it does come with easy-to-follow instructions and can be made in a variety of sizes. I made it in a 10 so that I could make dresses for my mum as well as for myself. The first dress I made was in a blue tartan cotton which was a good choice because it hid some of my mistakes and gave me some good practice at pattern-matching. I didn't read the instructions properly so ended up making the neck-hole too small and then had to un-pick all my stitching. On re-reading it made complete sense though. Top tip for all sewing projects: read the instructions The most difficult bits are definitely the neckline and the yoke and it takes time to master them. I made the dress quite short and I always wear it with a belt because I like to have a defined waist-line. I wear this dress all the time, all year long. In summer I wear this with my brogues and in winter with a dark blue long sleeved top underneath and ankle boots with tights.
I had some of the blue tartan material left from making the dress but not quite enough to make a full t-shirt so I cut up an old green linen top which was sun-cream stained and used it to create a colour-block top. I folded the pattern just above the bust darts and added a seam allowance when I was cutting out my fabric. I made the top half of the top and the yoke in the green fabric but used the tartan for the bottom of the top, the back and the sleeves. It was quite hard to sew because the materials were so different but it looks great with rolled up jeans and some boots.
I loved the colour-block top so much that I decided to make a colour-block dress with some floral fabric I picked up at a market and some matching beige fabric. I think the neckline is the best thing about this pattern. It is so elegant and simple and is low enough to sit just below the collar bones. When I was making a top from the left-over material I found that I had made the neck-hole too small to fit over my head so I cut a small triangle, bias-bound the edge and added a button and loop to close it. I think this actually made the top better than it would have been if the neck-hole had been big enough.
My most recent project was a dress I made for my mum. She chose some material and chose the length (apparently my dresses are too short for her) and I made this dress for her. I had to borrow it to take this photo and now I wish it was mine. It is for her to wear at work so it is very simple- no button necklines or colour-blocking here. Having now used this pattern 5 times I think I'm suitably qualified to give some tips. Firstly, read the instructions carefully. They are brief but include all the information you will need. Secondly, be very careful when cutting out the sleeves because you need them to be mirror-images of each other and have the notches in the right place to match the main-body of the dress/top. I have sewn in the wrong sleeve on multiple occasion. Thirdly, try it on after each step. You don't want to finish the top/dress and then realise you can't fit your head through. Finally, I would advise finishing the edges of the back and front before sewing them together because it looks neater on the finished project and also I have on many occasions ended up getting material caught up and then having to unpick my zig-zag stitching. In all my projects I've used quite thick material which still allows for structure and shape. If you were to use a thicker material I would suggest shaping it more around the waist just so it doesn't look bulky and with lighter material you would have to be very careful when cutting out and sewing so that it hangs evenly on the body
This is a great pattern if you are a beginner or just want to invest in a pattern you will use time and time again. If you love this pattern as much as I do or if you want some help with your project comment down below. Happy sewing!!
Love Rhiannon x
Pattern Review: Merchant and Mills- The Camber Set
This was one of the first patterns I bought, a year ago, from a cute little craft barn in my town. It marked the beginning of my obsession with dress-making. The pattern is getting a little ragged around the edges, I've made so many dresses and tops using it. It is an extremely adaptable pattern, featuring both patterns for a top and a dress in the same a-line shape. I've made it into a colour-block dress, made a top with a button neckline and next time I use it I plan to make contrasting front-pockets.
The pattern is quite pricey but it does come with easy-to-follow instructions and can be made in a variety of sizes. I made it in a 10 so that I could make dresses for my mum as well as for myself. The first dress I made was in a blue tartan cotton which was a good choice because it hid some of my mistakes and gave me some good practice at pattern-matching. I didn't read the instructions properly so ended up making the neck-hole too small and then had to un-pick all my stitching. On re-reading it made complete sense though. Top tip for all sewing projects: read the instructions The most difficult bits are definitely the neckline and the yoke and it takes time to master them. I made the dress quite short and I always wear it with a belt because I like to have a defined waist-line. I wear this dress all the time, all year long. In summer I wear this with my brogues and in winter with a dark blue long sleeved top underneath and ankle boots with tights. 
I had some of the blue tartan material left from making the dress but not quite enough to make a full t-shirt so I cut up an old green linen top which was sun-cream stained and used it to create a colour-block top. I folded the pattern just above the bust darts and added a seam allowance when I was cutting out my fabric. I made the top half of the top and the yoke in the green fabric but used the tartan for the bottom of the top, the back and the sleeves. It was quite hard to sew because the materials were so different but it looks great with rolled up jeans and some boots.
I loved the colour-block top so much that I decided to make a colour-block dress with some floral fabric I picked up at a market and some matching beige fabric. I think the neckline is the best thing about this pattern. It is so elegant and simple and is low enough to sit just below the collar bones. When I was making a top from the left-over material I found that I had made the neck-hole too small to fit over my head so I cut a small triangle, bias-bound the edge and added a button and loop to close it. I think this actually made the top better than it would have been if the neck-hole had been big enough.
My most recent project was a dress I made for my mum. She chose some material and chose the length (apparently my dresses are too short for her) and I made this dress for her. I had to borrow it to take this photo and now I wish it was mine. It is for her to wear at work so it is very simple- no button necklines or colour-blocking here. Having now used this pattern 5 times I think I'm suitably qualified to give some tips. Firstly, read the instructions carefully. They are brief but include all the information you will need. Secondly, be very careful when cutting out the sleeves because you need them to be mirror-images of each other and have the notches in the right place to match the main-body of the dress/top. I have sewn in the wrong sleeve on multiple occasion. Thirdly, try it on after each step. You don't want to finish the top/dress and then realise you can't fit your head through. Finally, I would advise finishing the edges of the back and front before sewing them together because it looks neater on the finished project and also I have on many occasions ended up getting material caught up and then having to unpick my zig-zag stitching. In all my projects I've used quite thick material which still allows for structure and shape. If you were to use a thicker material I would suggest shaping it more around the waist just so it doesn't look bulky and with lighter material you would have to be very careful when cutting out and sewing so that it hangs evenly on the bodyThis is a great pattern if you are a beginner or just want to invest in a pattern you will use time and time again. If you love this pattern as much as I do or if you want some help with your project comment down below. Happy sewing!!
Love Rhiannon x
Hi. Your cambers are great! I am stuck getting the sleeve in the right way. Is the fuller part toward the back or the front?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Thanks so much for your post! You inspired me to make a two tone camber Top and also a camber dress. Thanks for the tips and inspiration. Love them both !!
ReplyDeleteLove the variations! Where did you source the tartan fabric? It's beautiful!
ReplyDelete