Sewing Retreat - Merchant and Mills

Wonderful time at the M&M Sewing Retreat

[@inMuro]

i really enjoyed watching this thank you for sharing!

[@user-wu7sv6hr7v]

Everything you made is wonderful! Those beautiful buttons found just the right spot to land and I love the bag and the cozy overalls, too. The retreat looks like a great time and I really enjoyed the photos of the house as well as hearing about the sewing part. I do a lot of home decor sewing - I'm basting some placemats right now while I catch up on your videos - I only use cloth napkins that I sew myself and make table runners, napkins and placemats for every season and reason, bed pillowcases to supplement the ones that come with a set of sheets as we use three pillows on each side of the bed, and of course, pillow covers as well as easy curtains for bedrooms, bathroom and such. I have saved a ton of money by making these items with high-quality fabrics. Forgot to mention potholders and hot pads :). Haven't sewn the Rhapsody blouse yet, but I'm thinking Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody for the background music! And I do not think you are "large" at all - I think you are you and just fine!

[@pollysews]

Hey Mary! I've been wanting to sew napkins too and use my embroidery machine to embellish them a bit. I bought some linen viscose blend in white and it turned out not to be the fabric I thought would be but would make very nice napkins. We also bought a new couch (actually bought it in March, still waiting for it to be delivered) but I'm wanting to make pillows for the couch as well. So many ideas - just need to get organized with my time. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@JustMeAndMyFabric]

So cool that you went to this retreat, actually way more than cool - it's awesome!! I loved hearing your thoughts regarding your experience. Your overalls are fantastic, everything about them - the corduroy, the color, the fit. I think they look great! Love the Marlo sweater. I have the pattern and also have fabric set aside for it, just waiting to fit it into the schedule. It was good to see one made up, very nice! Thanks!

[@pollysews]

Yay, thank you, Angela!

[@craftymystic4868]

How exciting yo participate in the retreat! Thanks for sharing.

[@pollysews]

You are so welcome!

[@Ali-ps8rm]

So glad you enjoyed your retreat. I for one would be interested in your home decor journey.

[@pollysews]

Coming soon, Ali. I mentioned in another comment that we ordered a new couch and chair several months ago and it's supposed to be delivered in September, so I'm using it as an excuse to freshen up our living room and use some of the ideas I garnered from the retreat!

[@ZeldaSews]

Polly, you're not large. If you are considered large, i am humongous! I'm a little fluffy... 😅😅😅😅

[@pollysews]

😅You're so funny, Zelda. I was fine with my body but now I'm having insecurities. No big deal, it's just something I need to work through (again)! lol But I'm happy and that's what's really important! Take care!

[@dbdesignsandsewingaustrali5668]

Sounds like a wonderful retreat, glad you had a great time 👍

[@pollysews]

Yes, thank you Deb! congrats on 1,000 subscribers. I really enjoy your channel. You're so inspiring :)

[@sewmuchsewing]

Hi there, I'm a bit behind with my vlog watching 🤭. The retreat sounds amazing what a great experience, except that was so disappointing to not be able to try anything on. Their size range is really great so it wa🎉s surprising to hear there was nothing for you to try on. Maybe they will have realised they should fix that for the future do you think? Love your cute buttons on the Marlow, they really look great. See you again soon 🙋‍♀️.

[@kerrymcilwaine]

I have always had the same problems with dungarees until I tried Helen’s Closet Yanta overalls, perfect and very easy to adjust x

[@pollysews]

Thanks for the suggestion Kerry! I'll give them a try. I remember seeing the Yanta overalls a couple of years ago but never got around to trying them. I like the Helen's Closet brand so I think it's time to give it try. What type of fabric did you use to make yours? I'm thinking of a linen or linen blend - something lighter weight - but I'm worried about all the wrinkling that comes with linen.

[@kerrymcilwaine]

@@pollysews I have made them in linen and also denim and stretch denim, I did lengthen some pairs as the pattern is quite a cropped x

[@julieinnis2219]

So lovely to see you back and I am happy that you found your retreat to be a wonderful experience. Your bag looks so professional and will bring back memories for you. 🌸

[@pollysews]

Thank you so much, Julie!

[@houseinnorthcarolina9439]

Sounds like you had a wonderful time at the retreat. Good for you. The overalls look so nice on you. I love the color. The Marlow sweater fits you so well. I bought the pattern earlier this year but haven't made it yet. I'm going to check out the website you mentioned for the knit fabric. Thank you for sharing. Suzanne

[@pollysews]

Thank you so much, Suzanne! I'm sorry it's taken me so long to respond. I love the sweater knit I bought for my Marlow sweater; in fact, I'm going to purchase some more because I want to make a pullover sweater for this coming fall and winter. I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment on my channel! 😊

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

Sounds like you had an amazing time! I like the overalls and Marlo is super nice. Can’t wait for the Rhapsody fashion show! 💞

[@pollysews]

Me too, Izzy. I hope you have a great time on your vacation. We ran into a little trouble with the train strike - the trains weren't running on two Saturdays - but we were able to make adjustments and get where we wanted to go.

[@aleciacope3503]

Share your home dec makes, please! Their aesthetic is very peaceful. Good luck!

[@pollysews]

Thank you, Alecia! Will do! Have you done any home decor sewing? I'd appreciate any tips 😊It just so happens we bought a new couch and chair that is going to be delivered next month so it's a great opportunity to freshen up the living room!

[@annesullivan1171]

I'm glad you enjoyed retreat. I was looking at prices and they are pricey. I have made 2 harlenes and they do come up big. I may do the bag online course which is a fraction of price ❤

[@pollysews]

Let me know how you like the bag class Anne if you decide to take it. I'd love to see your Harlenes! If you feel comfortable doing so, maybe send a picture of them to [e-mail]? ❤️🧵🪡

[@annesullivan1171]

@@pollysews I will Polly. Ps I love their mission statement CLOTHES NOT FASHION

[@robyn3349]

What a lovely experience! I would like to see how your M&M retreat changes your home decor. Does that house have a web page?

[@pollysews]

Hi Robyn! I think the M&M house has a blog post which you can access through the M&M website. You would first go to their "Classes" then click on "Sewing Retreats" and the click on "Accommodations". If you scroll down, they have wonderful pictures and have a link to their blog post.

[@libbykilpatrick1578]

I am glad you loved the camaraderie in your sewing retreat, but I am a bit disappointed for you too that there were no garments for you to try on. I have a few M&M patterns from years ago when indie patterns were not a thing!! and I have to say I would never use them now as there are so many good, well drafted patterns out there. Someone mentioned Helen's Closet Yantas - they are fantastic. I would like to ask you something....if you could show in your Rhapsody video a small section for putting the pattern together. I had never put a LN pattern together and it is so different from the others as there are no borders. I just don't want to waste fabric cutting out my rhapsody. XX Love your Marlo By the way.

[@pollysews]

Hi Libby - yes, I'll include a demonstration of taping the Rhapsody pattern. You're the 2nd or 3rd person who's recommended the Yanta overalls so I'm definitely giving that pattern a try! Thanks for watching and commenting. It's so appreciated!

[@lovemesomeslippers]

I’m not sure what to think about them not having samples in all sizes. Very disappointing. I’m glad you enjoyed it anyway!

[@pollysews]

You and me both! I'm sorry it took me so long to respond to your comment. Yeah, I was a little bummed about M&M not having my size, but I did have such a good time! Thank you for your comment!

[@rachelrea5150]

I’ve been looking forward to hearing about the retreat. Sounds like a great experience. But their lack of size inclusivity in their pattern line has really turned me off their brand.

[@fiberchick]

Don’t know why their mobile feed (unlike the website) doesn’t show the extended range but most of their patterns can be purchased up to size 28.

[@pollysews]

Hi Rachel! I'm sorry it's taken me so long to reply. I'm really torn about M&M. I love their aesthetic but I honestly don't think their pattern block is designed for my body type. Even their extended pattern sizes are still drafted for a b cup and I have to do an FBA. It's frustrating because the look I'm drawn to in fashion really doesn't work with a curvy silhouette.