A Wardrobe Made to Last

July 8, 2026
Image showcasing a DIY Merchant & Mills workwear wardrobe, featuring a chore jacket paired with trousers, a chore jacket styled as a shirt dress, a classic blazer with a classic shirt and trousers, and a mail bag. Ideal for sewing enthusiasts looking to create stylish and functional clothing.

If you love Merchant & Mills patterns, you’re going to love the new Merchant & Mills book! Workwear is a handbook of timeless wardrobe staples and satisfying garment construction techniques to delight sewists of all skill levels. In addition to inspiring photos, styling ideas, and conversations with craftspeople (who also model the garments), the book includes five new, printed sewing patterns! The patterns are printed full-size, designed for all genders, and are sized up to a 57-inch chest and a 60-inch hip—they come with complete, step-by-step instructions, too. Today we’re going to share a bit about each of the Workwear patterns, including our fabric picks!

buy the Workwear book

classic blazer

Line drawing of a jacket showcasing the front and back designs, featuring a notched collar, button closure, and two front pockets, ideal for fashion design or sewing patterns.

We’ve selected our favorite corduroy fabrics for this boxy take on the classic blazer. Choose a heavier 6-wale corduroy for a blazer that can double as multi-season outerwear, or a pretty, printed pinwale for a warmer-weather layer. This pattern includes three patch pockets and instructions for either a simple seam finish or a full lining for more structure and warmth.

Book titled "Workwear" by Merchant & Mills, featuring timeless sewing patterns for a practical wardrobe, placed on a textured brown background with colorful fabric swatches in green, yellow, and floral patterns.

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trousers & shorts

Technical drawing of shorts showcasing front and back views, highlighting design features such as a drawstring waistband and pocket placement. Ideal for fashion design references or garment construction guides.

The trouser pattern is slightly tailored with nice details like side pockets, back jetted pockets, and a zipper fly. It also includes a drawstring waist for a perfect fit. These trousers would be wonderful in a stonewashed ramie—woven from a plant in the nettle family, this midweight fabric has a rustic texture similar to linen. Use this pattern to sew shorts for summertime or a pair of long trousers to wear year-round!

Close-up of textured fabric in various colors, including purple, mustard yellow, and black, arranged in layered folds, showcasing the rich tones and material quality for textile enthusiasts.

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chore jacket & mail bag

Line drawing of a jacket design showcasing three views: button version, zip version, and back view, highlighting details such as pockets and collar style.

Line drawing of a product design showcasing the front and back views of a pouch or container, highlighting its simple structure and functional design elements.

The Stonemountain & Daughter team loves a chore jacket, so we’re especially excited about this new pattern! The roomy fit is a perfect match for our 10oz. Japanese denim, a sturdy midweight fabric that will break in over time and become even more beautiful. For a special touch, we love customizing our handmade denim pieces with contrasting topstitching thread. Inspired by vintage military bags, the mail bag is perfect for everyday—sew one up in your favorite color of waxed canvas for a bag that’s fashionable and functional!

Rolled fabrics in various colors, including black denim, deep burgundy, and teal, arranged on a bright background, showcasing textile options for fashion and upholstery projects.

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shirt & shirt dress

Illustration of shirt designs featuring a back view, front view of a shirt with pockets, and a front view of a shirt dress, showcasing various styles and details in a technical drawing format.

To complete your Workwear ensemble, the fifth pattern is a classic pullover shirt or shirt dress. The pattern includes chest patch pockets, a back yoke, and two collar options. Fableism Watercolor Wovens are the perfect fabric choice for this pattern—these lightweight, yarn-dyed shot cottons are available in an incredible array of colors you’ll love wearing.

Colorful fabric rolls featuring a variety of shades, including lavender, peach, mustard yellow, teal, and brown, arranged neatly for display. Ideal for sewing, crafts, and fashion design projects.

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Testimonials from satisfied customers highlighting the quality of fabric and fast delivery from an online fabric store, with decorative elements representing a community of makers.

One of the things we love most about Merchant & Mills is their timeless approach to sewing. These aren’t garments you’ll wear for just one season. They’re the kind of pieces that become everyday favorites, growing softer and more comfortable with every wash and every adventure. Whether you’re sewing your very first jacket or adding another handmade staple to your closet, these patterns are designed to be enjoyed for years to come.

For more than 45 years, we’ve been searching for fabrics that inspire people to sew beautiful clothing they’ll love wearing for years. When you’re investing your time in making your own wardrobe, it’s worth choosing fabrics with the quality and character to last. At Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics, we’ve carefully curated exceptional Japanese denims, fine corduroys, ramie, linen, and yarn-dyed cottons that pair beautifully with the Merchant & Mills Workwear collection. Combined with this inspiring new book, they’re an investment in garments you’ll enjoy sewing, wearing, and reaching for season after season.

We hope this collection inspires you to slow down, enjoy the process, and build a wardrobe that’s truly your own. There’s something incredibly satisfying about wearing clothes you’ve made with your own hands, especially when they’re sewn from fabrics chosen to stand the test of time. We’d love to help you find the perfect fabric for your next Merchant & Mills project, and we can’t wait to see what you create.

Thank You and Happy Sewing!