I wanted to pop in here today and do a quick post on fabric recommendations for your Merritt shirt or dress. We will also come back tomorrow and talk all things notions and tools so be sure to check back for that post too.
The Merritt pattern recommends light to medium weight woven fabrics. I have found that my ideal weight for a classic button-up is somewhere between 3-5 oz, but you could certainly go a bit lower for a more lightweight and flowy option, or a bit heavier for a more structured option for the fall and winter.
Lets go over some popular fabrics that would work great for the Merritt.
Classic Shirting Fabric
If you want to make that classic looking, menswear inspired button-up, you are in luck because these fabrics are everywhere right now. They are generally pretty crisp, easy to sew, around 3.5 oz per yard, 100% cotton or a cotton blend (a little bit of polyester is common to keep it from wrinkling and little bit of spandex is also common for a bit of comfort). They often come in a really tight weave under names like poplin shirting or Egyptian cotton. You will also find them in an basket type weave called oxford which has a bit more texture and bit more of a preppy look.
I love finding a stripe in these fabrics because it really plays into the menswear inspired design that is so popular right now and adds some interest with stripe direction. For the samples, I used two separate classic shirting fabrics.
The blue and white stripe fabric was from Surge fabrics and it was perfect. 100% cotton, soft and easy to sew, and I just love a simple blue and white stripe button-up. I've been using this one as a pool coverup and love the nautical feel of the stripe.
The dark green and white stripe shirting was from Mood fabrics. They are a great source for classic shirting fabrics. They have every color under the sun and width of stripe that you might be going for. I have my eye on some plaid shirting fabrics they carry for fall.
Cotton Twill & Poplin Fabrics
Cotton twill and cotton poplin are great options if you are looking for a readily available fabric that comes in lots of colors and gives that really crisp look to a button-up. The navy that I used for samples is a cotton twill from Matchy Matchy Sewing Club and is called Soft Touch Cotton. It's such a nice fabric that washed up beautifully and presses really well. It feels very expensive for a basic cotton.
I also love their range of cotton poplin. I actually just bought a bright red color way from them to make a matching Merritt and Casey set.
Linen & Linen Blends
It's hard to imagine a more beloved fabric than a beautiful, buttery linen fabric. I used the summer weight cloud linen from Matchy Matchy Sewing Club for model samples and it really is the most gorgeous fabric. I just ordered some more in another color for the sewalong because I loved it so much. It softens with wear and presses beautifully. Does it wrinkle - yes - but I don't care. If wrinkling is a deal breaker for you, consider a linen blend like a linen/rayon or linen/cotton for something that wears a bit easier.
Corduroy
I havn't tried it yet, but this fall I will certainly be sewing up a corduroy Merritt to add to my collection. There are lots of corduroys out there these days, but I would personally opt for a shirting weight cord so it doesn't get too thick or heavy. You could cut all of your facings out of a cotton to lessen the bulk a bit which would help as well.
Chambray / Lightweight Denim
A denim or chambray shirt is a wardrobe staple and I think that the Merritt is perfect for this. Chambray and denim are both super easy to sew with, get nicer with washing and wear, and are easy to find. I would look for denims that are shirting weight - probably no thicker than 6oz, so it doesn't get too thick. I also think these fabrics lend really well to contrasting topstitching if that is something you like.
Rayon / Silk
Although definitely on the lighter weight side, I think that these fabrics would be beautiful for the Merritt. I have some silk crepe de chine fabric I've been hoarding for years that I am determined to make a matching Merritt / Casey set with. The fit would look different with the soft fabric, but I think that would be really nice and give a completely different feel to the same pattern. Also, it would be beautiful paired with a matching Casey pant in the same fabric.
Obviously these are just recommendations and other types of fabrics will work, but I hope this gives you an idea of what you might want to use for your Merritt shirt or dress. Come back tomorrow and we will talk all things notions and tools for the Merritt pattern.