mergiel.ninja
Hobby tailoring · made after dark

Clothes I made myself.

A hobby that got a bit out of hand. One sewing machine, a lot of fabric, and the odd late night. Here's what came off the machine lately.

See the latest pieces Who's behind the mask
The maker at an old sewing machine, wearing a mask, headband and shoulder armour, with needles strapped to the back
Studio, late. Needles on the back are decorative.
Latest off the machine

Seven most recent pieces

Each piece gets photographed on a mannequin or on me, with a note about the fabric and what went wrong. Hover a card to move it around.

newest
Wool melton, dark collarOct 2026

Grey wool coat

Pattern drafted off an old raincoat. Took three weekends, one of them just the collar.

photo coming
Cotton chambraySep 2026

Chambray shirt

Second attempt. The first one had the pocket on the wrong side.

photo coming
Navy wool flannelSep 2026

High-rise trousers

Hand-felled seams because the machine was being difficult that week.

photo coming
Printed viscoseAug 2026

Floral tea dress

Fabric from the Saturday market. Cut on the bias, which I slightly regret.

photo coming
Olive cotton, wool battingJul 2026

Quilted vest

Made for cycling in November. Pockets big enough for gloves.

photo coming
Navy cotton twillJun 2026

Wide pleated trousers

The pleats took a whole evening to press properly.

photo coming
Washed linenMay 2026

Linen camp shirt

Gave it away before I photographed it. Making another.

Workshop notes

Small things I learned the hard way

A running log. Mostly for me, but it might save you a seam ripper or two.

  • Sorted out the tension problem on the old machine.

    It was the bobbin all along. It usually is.

  • Switched to a walking foot for the waxed cotton.

    Stopped the top layer creeping. Should have done this years ago.

  • Drafted a trouser block that finally fits.

    Fourth attempt. The rise was the issue every single time.

  • Pre-washed all the linen in one go.

    Shrank about 4 percent. Glad I measured before.
The maker at the machine, surrounded by bolts of indigo fabric, a dress form and pattern drawings on the wall
About

Who's behind the mask

Hi. I'm the one at the machine. By day I do something else entirely. In the evenings I cut, pin and sew in a small room that has far too much fabric in it.

It started with a torn pair of jeans a few years ago. I fixed them, badly, and liked it enough to keep going. Now most of what I wear started as a flat piece of cloth on that table.

Nothing here is for sale. I put things up so friends can see them and so I keep finishing what I start.

"Measure twice, cut once. Then measure again because you didn't trust the first two."Pinned above the machine