Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Review: Merchant & Mills Sewing Notions Set (GIVEAWAY CLOSED)


I received this very cool Merchant & Mills Sewing Notion Set in the mail from Kaufmann Mercantile. Have you heard of the online store? It conjures up so many great associations for me. I love the idea of a carefully stocked mercantile1 Their tag is "Products that will outlast you." (A very deliberate us of "that" vs. "which" for those of you English major types... :-)). And in this day of cheap and disposable don't we appreciate well-made products we can invest in for the long term?

Click to read all about it and enter the GIVEAWAY open through April 4th. (GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED)



Well, their Sewing Notions Set is all about that. First, I have to say that I love their packaging. For me, the way something is packaged is part of the experience (which is why I still prefer sending out invitations and thank yous in actual envelopes with stamps). The type on the box is actually embossed--so tactile. Looks like letterpress, which you've often heard me say that I love. Inside all the notions are neatly tucked into kraftboard holders. Isn't it lovely to look at? So graphic. I love the impact of the black and white with craft. And I love that each item is individually wrapped and labels. Makes it seem so carefully selected, which it is.


After admiring it for a bit I had to dig in...


I love the look and feel of these black steel wide bow scissors. Practical and beautiful. They seem to be totally capable of snipping little threads, or even yarn, while looking cool.


I could use a set of sharp needles such as these--I'm always hunting for the one or two among my straight pins. And, I have to admit since adopting reading glasses a few years ago the needle threader is starting to make sense!


Who remembers playing with thimbles as a child. They seem a bit antiquated now, which is too bad since they do serve a great function. There are too many plastic ones in my opinion. This metal one is beautiful.


Inside its glassine envelope and out.


I don't know if you can see it but it says "ENGLAND" in raised letters around the base. The top is open so one can still feel the fabric. Nice.


Tailor's chalk! Reminds me of the time I would go with my father to pick out a suit and watch as the seamstress made marks for hemming. This is another one of those curiously seldom seen notions


I'm excited to have some for myself. I think this will be a great way to mark hems for my girls--much less scary than me holding a bunch of straight pins in my teeth!


Speaking of pins, I used the dressmaking pins on my last sewing project. Used the seam ripper too. They worked just as expected. I may be partial to pins with the colored balls on top for most projects, however these very fine pins would be great for working with more delicate fabrics.

So, there you have the Merchant & Mills Sewing Notions Set. Most of what you would expect (I didn't mention the measuring tape but it's in there--I love it in black and white) and a few new things (for instance, I am excited to try the beeswax made on my thread before threading a needle). Packaged in an ever so fun way. This is a kit for the connoisseur. It's more about the origins of the items than a true discernible difference in their function. It's not inexpensive ($75.00), but it is currently sold out! That certainly says something about the satisfying DIY trend. This is not the thing to buy for your niece to take to Home Ec, but perhaps something for your experienced sewist friend who is also an Anglophile (the beeswax and tailor's chalk were made by the same companies that supply Saville Row). Or maybe this is just the hint to drop for yourself for Mother's Day.



You have to visit Kaufmann Mercantile's page describing this set because the copy is so inspiring! As a former marketer it really impressed me--I was totally pulled in! I do think the right tools make a difference, and this line just spoke to me: This is a great starter set, but if you’ve been suffering through bad notions, upgrading to these pieces will revive your love of the craft. Maybe because I am constantly suffering through less-than-ideal tools. Seems easier than stopping to improve them!
And check out some of the other cool products they've curated. I would like to try the waterproofing wax. Perhaps it's the way to wean from oilcloth?

GIVEAWAY:

Would you like to have one these sewing kits in your life? Kaufmann Mercantile is giving one away to a reader. To enter you may (multiple entries possible):
  1. Visit the page for the Merchant & Mills Sewing Notions Set and leave me a comment below telling me something about it. What intrigues you? What did you enjoy most?
  2. Follow Aesthetic Nest (via Blogger or Google Reader) and leave me a comment letting me know.
  3. Visit Kaufmann Mercantile and leave me a comment mentioning a product you wish were yours.
  4. "Like" Aesthetic Nest on Facebook and leave me a comment about it.
  5. Subscribe to the RSS Feed for Aesthetic Nest and leave me a comment letting me know.
You have until the end of the day April 4th to leave comments here to enter, after which I will pick a random winner and announce it in a new post. Best of luck!

239 comments:

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maggie said...

I love the Bow scissors that they have on their product page. Great for my arthritic hands!
cheers
maggie

maggie said...

I liked you on facebook..and I do really like you....
cheers
maggie

Shanea said...

I happily follow you!

Shanea said...

I love the zippered wallet and the cylinder canning jars.

Shanea said...

As an English teacher, I loved the bit about the most notorious seamstress.

Lisa A. said...

I love this sewing kit!! I'm crossing my fingers that I win it. I would love to own several of their products including the Stainless Steel Food Mill and the Espresso Coffee Pot and some of their knives!

Marchelle said...

Thanks for the giveaway! I love how they tell you exactly what each little item is used for and give tips and tricks.

Marchelle said...

Also, I follow you on Google Reader

Marchelle said...

If I could get anything on the Kaufman Mercantile website it would be the Chinese rolling pin. My mother had one, it's so handy!

Marchelle said...

Finally, I've already liked you on facebook!

Jennifer said...

I love this notions set! Everything I recommend to my friends when I'm teaching them to sew is included right there!

Jennifer said...

I follow you with Google reader.

Jennifer said...

I could spend hours drooling over the items on their website. I love the enamel kitchen items. They remind me of my grandmother's kitchen.

Jennifer said...

I also like you on Facebook!

Tammy said...

What interested me most was that the thimble in this package is vintage! I've never seen this style of thimble before and I'd love to give it (and everything else in the box ;-) ) a try!

Tammy said...

I subscribe to your blog in Google reader.

Anonymous said...

I love the open top thimble. I can't believe I've never come across one before now. I don't use thimbles because I can't feel the fabric while trying to use a thimble. This may solve my problem.

Anonymous said...

I also follow you through Google RSS.

Anonymous said...

I think the first item I would buy from the mercantile would be pins. I am in desperate need of pins and just don't want to buy cheaply made pins my local shops carry.

Anita Gambrell said...

OH my, Yes I love most all of there stuff! I love the wooden brushes, the safety razor , the double edged razor blades, the pot scrubber.... lol, I can imagine having at least 1 of everything !

Living in La La Land said...

I love that they believe that everyday objects should be designed well and manufactured to last a long time-a lot of other companies don't feel this way!
I enjoyed looking at all of the items that they create that remind me of something my grandparents had and now I can have!

Living in La La Land said...

I follow the AN via Blogger-chacoyaguayo!

Living in La La Land said...

I wish I owned the Roberu Leather Compact Camera Strap as well as some sewing notions!

Living in La La Land said...

I like AN on Facebook as ChacoyAguayo!

Living in La La Land said...

I subscribe via rss feed:)

Laurie - Autobiography of Craft said...

The Merchant and Mills sewing kit is beautiful! I too, love the packaging. I'm particularly intrigued with the thimble. The one I use covers the whole finger tip, but theirs makes so much more sense.
I popped around the Kaufman mercantile store, and I WANT IT ALL! Particularly the Scrappy's Cocktail Bitters sets and the stainless steel food mill. All the better to make summer cocktails and sauce from my garden's tomatoes, my dear.
I liked Aesthetic Nest on Facebook and followed you on Blogger, and I'm already following you on my RSS feed.

Charlene said...

I just subscribed to your rss feed. I love this sewing kit w the beautiful tools. The remind me of my aunt who hand quilted over 200 quilts before she passed. Ps I love your blog.

Adam and Angela said...

I follow your blog on google reader. What a neat giveaway!

Wylie said...

Wonderful sewing kit and fabulous store! Thanks for the link. I was just thinking this morning that I needed a "tube wringer," but didn't know that was its name!

3Janes said...

I love how they really put alot of though into choosing quality tools. And they got them from different countries- tape measure from Germany etc. And the thimbles are vintage- LOVE the idea of having an open top!! Oh I so hope I win! I've been sewing since i was a little girl and have always drooled over owning nice quality sewing tools!

3Janes said...

I looked all over Kaufman's site and honestly the sewing kit is my favorite. I love the nice quality pens and pencils- esp the old fashioned fountain pen but I really really like the sewing tools best of all!

3Janes said...

I've "liked" you on facebook so that I can keep up with your postings! Love the things you make for your girls and would like to do the same for mine!

Jessica said...

I have never heard of using bees wax while sewing, I would love to try this out

jessicarwarfield at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I Follow Aesthetic Nest via gfc

jessicarwarfield at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I would love to own the carved oak rope swing!

jessicarwarfield at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I "Like" Aesthetic Nest on Facebook


jessicarwarfield at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I am Subscribed to your RSS Feed for Aesthetic Nest


jessicarwarfield at gmail dot com

thegirlwithacurl said...

I follow you with Google Reader!!

thegirlwithacurl said...

I like the idea of a thimble with an open end. Traditional thimbles seem a little too bulky for me. This seems like a great compromise, especially for getting into hand quilting.

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