Happily Snowed In with new Merchant & Mills


Hello Reader,

We’ve had a steady snowfall all week here in Sprucedale, the snowbanks are starting to tower over us and just getting in and out of the shop has become a bit of a workout. Even still, I actually love this time of year up north. It is unbelievably beautiful in this winter wonderland.

It’s been a full one behind the scenes as well. We’re getting the Kona Colour Society Bundle #6 ready to ship this weekend, and our latest Merchant & Mills delivery landed this week too. I spent the day unpacking and carefully cutting the cotton jacquard preorders and pulling Kona colour matches for each one (you can peek at that process in my latest IG Reel). The linen preorders are up next, that is today's first task and I can’t wait to unbundle them and spend a little time daydreaming about what they might become.

This coming Monday is our final Zoom for the January Finish It Challenge. It’s been such a grounding way to spend an hour each week, mindfully working on older projects and sharing ideas and conversation together. This challenge is just the first of six we have planned for the year, all centred around slowing down and working more intentionally with what we already have.

If you’ve been enjoying the challenge, this really is just the warm-up. You can join the full 2026 Challenge Series now and still take part in the final Finish It Zoom on Monday. As always, members of the workroom studio community have free access.

We’ve also just launched our newest online workshop, The Woven Tee. I’ve been wanting to take a more category-based approach to garment workshops, one that allows us to compare and contrast multiple patterns that share common skills and construction details, while also exploring what makes each one unique. Woven tees offer so many opportunities to build confidence, make thoughtful choices, and carry those skills forward into future projects. I'm inspired to think differently about our approach as we start to move through our Handmade Wardrobe Year. I've got my own personal tried & true woven tee patterns, but I'll be so curious to see which ones you all bring to class!

From Snowy Sprucedale,
Karyn

P.S. The conversations and ideas shared during the Finish It Challenge have been such a reminder of how much inspiration comes from working alongside others - even quietly, even virtually. See you there on Monday!

NEW
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NEW! MERCHANT & MILLS DELIVERY
Our latest batch of cozy Merchant & Mills Cotton Jacquard has arrived in the shop. It never lasts long, so take a peek at this fun round of colours and start dreaming up a special garment with this much-loved fabric. We’ve been having so much fun sewing Nova Coats, Esme Cardigans, and Cuff Tops with it in our online workshops.

Don’t miss the latest batch of Merchant & Mills linens, which complement the jacquards beautifully and are perfect for lighter layers and everyday makes.


NEW! The Woven Tee Workshop

In this workshop, we’ll slow down and take a thoughtful, category-based approach to woven tees, looking at fit, proportion, and finishing across a few different patterns. Students can choose the woven tee pattern that appeals most to them such as the Merchant & Mills Camber Tee, The Grainline Studio Scout Tee or the Elizabeth Suzann Georgia Tee. We'll focus on the shared skills and small design details that make woven tees work and what makes each pattern distinct.


How to Sew With the workroom

  • Virtual Garment Workshops
    Join individual classes to focus on one garment at a time, with step-by-step instruction and replays.
  • Studio Workshop Pass - Last Chance!
    Choose any four virtual garment workshops (January - June) for flexible, skill-building sewing over the season.
  • Handmade Wardrobe Year
    A year-long, guided approach to building a cohesive handmade wardrobe, supported by workshops, planning, and community.
  • Studio Membership
    Ongoing support and connection between projects, with shared making time and space for questions.

Check all the new virtual workshops here. Studio Members can also use their single workshop discount code for $25 off.


Printed & Inspired : Vintage Patterns and Class Projects

January is almost over and your A0 wide format pattern orders continue to inspire and help us discover new designers! Patterns for class like the zipper expansion pack for the Lander Pants, the Coe Trousers after our Pattern Lab earlier this month and some vintage inspiration from Charm Patterns are just a few patterns that we have printed in the last couple of weeks.

+ True Bias Lander Pant Zipper Expansion Pack
+ Paper Theory Block Tee
+ Charm Patterns Stanwyck Skirt
+ Charm Patterns Hepburn Top
+ Helen's Closet Patterns Evergreen Sweatpants
+ Beaton Studio Moving Coat
+ Sew Liberated Hinterland Dress
+ Daughter Judy Coe Trousers
+ Wardrobe By Me Jensen Shirt
+ Merchant & Mills Heroine Jeans
+ Merchant & Mills Harlene Overalls
+ Merchant & Mills Francine Top
+ Merchant & Mills Sanda Jacket
+ Merchant & Mills Cirrus Top

All of these patterns came through our A0 PDF pattern printing service - a wonderful way to explore new designers and level up your handmade wardrobe. If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s simple to upload your files and we’ll print, fold, and ship them right to you or choose local pick up at our Parkdale Pick up Point or in Sprucedale. We can print any designer pdf patterns you have purchased or explore the PDF patterns available through the workroom including our ever expanding selection of Merchant & Mills patterns or Lizzy House's Cookie Party Quilt Pattern.


2026 Challenge Series : A Year of Intentional Making
Our new challenge series is an invitation to slow down and spend time working thoughtfully with what you already have, alongside a supportive community of makers.

Through five bi-monthly themes focused on scraps, mending, repurposing, stash, and finishing, we’ll gather for check-ins, shared conversation, and creative momentum, without pressure or overwhelm.

Join a single challenge as it appears, or settle into the full series and make space for a more intentional rhythm in 2026.

Join the full series this weekend and get access to our final Zoom meet up on Monday for the January Finish It Challenge. This series is free for members of our online community - the workroom studio.



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