Whenever possible, we look to stock and support local UK suppliers. Good ideas made locally, using home produced raw materials. Merchant and Mills offer draper’s supplies with the aim of encouraging us to get active and stitch for ourselves. Carolyn Denham, the creative force behind the East Sussex company (formerly based in Hay-on-Wye) produces kits which come with everything to complete a project, like this oilskin duffle. Their dress patterns come in a poster tube and are robust enough for repeated use. Don’t forget, Tinsmiths now have an a selection of fabrics suitable for apparel and smaller projects such as this one, online. Do take a look at our Dressmaking Fabrics or Remants section on the website. Happy, homegrown stitching.