Sewing Review - The Camber Set by Merchant and Mills

Made by Georgie, written by Caroline

A white girl standing against a corrugated wall with a white t-shirt and black jeans

Georgie chose to make the Camber Top for a store sample recently, which Arna beautifully modelled for us! The Camber is a versatile top with an option to make it as a dress.line drawings of a simple a line dressIt's all about fabric choice - need a fancier, more dressy top? Choose our Reveal Linen Viscose blend or one of our beautiful Atelier Brunette viscoses. For something a little more casual, then our laundered linens would be perfect for spring and summer days; or for a crisp option, a cotton shirting would work well. This top really does give you a lot of choice!

a white woman with white hair wearing a pink dress holding on to chair

Pattern  -  Camber Set by Merchant and Mills

Size - 14, made as a store sample, Arna who is wearing the garment in the photos has a 92cm bust measurement. 

FabricLaundered Linen Cotton in Bright White

Notions - Gutermann Thread

Skill Level - Beginner + (However the pattern does assume you have some knowledge of sewing.)

Maker - Georgie

a white woman wearing a white t-shirt and black jeans with a side on shot against a corrugated iron background

 Skills Used 

  • Straight Sewing
  • French Seams
  • Bust Dart
  • Bias Bound Neckline
  • Back Yoke

Review - 

Georgie made this for display in the store. It is one of Georgie's favourite patterns to sew as it is a quick make and a great basic to add to the wardrobe. The pattern provides pattern pieces for either a simple dress or top, making it a pattern that you can use over and over again. 

Made up here in a linen cotton blend, it's a great tee-shirt when you're looking for something casual to throw on, but still wanting to look put together.  It's perfect for Sunday brunch or casual Fridays at the office.   Here Emma is layering it with jeans and a linen Nova Coat. 

Georgie finished all the seams with a french seam, the seam allowance for the pattern was 1.5cm which meant no adjustments were needed for her to do this seam finish. It resulted in a lovely finish to the garment.

a white woman wearing a white t-shirt and black jeans with a side on shot against a corrugated iron background

She found there were no problems with the Merchant and Mills instructions and Georgie also found the fabric great to work with - she said it glided through the machine.

As always, we recommend that if you are sewing with white fabric use a pressing cloth to avoid any potential marks from your iron.  Oh, and make sure your work area is clean to avoid any accidental stains! It is also worth changing your needle at the beginning of your sewing project, and to press all your seams as you go.

Conclusion - 

Georgie loved this quick make and has plans to make herself one but with a lined yoke to make it more fun! This isn't part of the pattern and is something she will have to self draft, but that's the beauty of this simple pattern - you can make it as Merchant & Mills intended or adapt it to make it your own.  For a little more inspiration and to see how others have sewn this pattern, take a look at Instagram.  #cambertop #camberdress

a white woman with long brown hair wearing a demin version of the aline dress against a dark background making the dress the main focus

SAVE IT FOR LATER....

If you've found this blog helpful, you might like to use the image below to pin to your Pinterest account for reading later.
an image of a white girl with brown hair wearing a white woven t-shirt with the words Sewing pattern review The Camber Top from Merchant and Mills

4 comments

Hi Dave, that is so good to hear! Long may you continue to keep inspiring your wife! thank you for letting us know! Caroline from Miss Maude

Caroline from Miss Maude March 14, 2023

My dear wife has made three tops and two dresses from this pattern. Best one is a beautiful dark butterflies and floral top in silk made from a piece that I selected and insisted she buy. Us chaps do have a use :)

DAVE March 14, 2023

Thank you for sharing your experience with us Pauline! Sounds like a very successful pattern. Caroline from Miss Maude

Caroline March 15, 2022

I have 3 tops and 3 dresses in the Camber style, very comfortable and easy to wear.

Pauline March 15, 2022

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