"Sewing was different. Mabel knew if she was patient and meticulous, if she carefully followed the lines, took each step as it came, and obeyed the rules, that in the end when it was turned right-side out, it would be just how it was meant to be. A small miracle in itself, and one that life so rarely offered." -Extract from 'The Snow Child' by Eowyn Ivey. Carolyn Denham and Roderick Field are Merchant & Mills. The company houses its shop and workshop in an old warehouse in the Sussex estuary town of Rye. It was formed in 2010 to elevate sewing to its proper place in the creative world, respecting the craftsmanship it entails. They produce a range of classic sewing patterns and really useful knits. Carolyn has a degree in fashion and has lived and worked in Italy and New York. She spent several years in interior design. Roderick is an established photographer and writer with works in the National Portrait Gallery. He is responsible for the company's visual style and is currently designing artwork for a wide variety of contemporary merchandise. Merchant & Mills products are stocked by Liberty, the Victoria & Albert Museum and Selvedge as well as independent retailers all over the world. For Selvedge's 12 days of Christmas Competition, Merchant & Mills are offering winners a Merchant & Mills Notions Box Set, which includes nine of their favourite and most useful notions in one embossed box, worth £42 – heaven for any seamstress. To enter click here.