Everyday Favorites For A Coastal Summer……

…. Love Notions Patterns I’m Sewing Dor summer

For this year’s Spring Sale, I decided to focus on the Love Notions makes that I reached for over and over again all last summer. Some of the makes I’m sharing in this blog post are ones I wore on repeat last summer while some of them were just made in anticipation of this sale and the arrival of summer. I hope I give you a bit of inspiration for your “Everyday Summer Sewing”. These are the things I am planning to wear every day all summer long…………….

1. Timbre Top and Dress

Why?

• Another ” perfect fabric for the pattern” combos. This pattern is perfect for linen, double gauze, seersucker, rayon crinkle and challis………and so on and so on!
• Endless combinations with all the options!
• Great stash buster (top version)
• Perfect summer dress for every day AND vacations! 
• Perfect for hot, humid and sticky days.
• The dress version looks cute with both sandals and white sneakers.
• Combine the top version with the Caprice shirt for a really cute faux dress!
• Such a quick and easy sew~ it’s actually addicting to make.
• I’m looking forward to a few more dress versions for this Spring and Summer!

I love 100% linen, I love sewing it and I love wearing it! This dress is 100% linen and was one of my. most favorite makes of 2024. I’m searching for another linen to make myself another one for this summer. It’s casual enough to wear every day yet looks nice for an evening out as well! I wore it for a day walking around Boston and then to a lobster shack on the drive home!

On the left is my newest Timbre top. Made in a lightweight rayon challis, it will cool for summer and will work great in the fall layered under my denim jacket. In the middle is a double gauze version I paired with a Caprice skirt for a faux dress.. I have already worn this so many times. Can you say “secret pajamas”? On the right is a rayon crinkle version. This one appears bigger only because I wore it all day~ one of the quirks of this fabric is that is does “grow” as you wear it. Once washed it will go right back into shape. (Notice how it even looks longer!)

Here are a few more Timbre tops that I made when the pattern released last summer. Visit my blog post HERE for all the details on these.

Depending on the fabric you choose, you can get really different looks with the Timbre. I think one my favorites for the top version is double gauze. I made the light blue one above during testing and just love it! I grabbed a bunch of the “bubble gauze” at Joanns before they went into liquidation and I plan on sewing them all into Timbre tops!

This is a slightly hacked Timbre. You can find simple instructions for creating the ruffle bishop sleeve along with how I lined the bodice of the shirt over on this blog post.

For more information on the Timbre Top and Dress, such as sizing, fabrics and more sewing tips visit this Sew Mary Mac Blog Post.

You can grab the Timbre Top and Dress pattern HERE.

2. Constellation Pullover

Why?

• Perfect Summer Pullover!!
• Half-zip front makes it so easy to put on and take off(much easier than a hoodie!)
• The half-zip makes it breast feeding friendly too!
• Great alternative to a hoodie
• Comfy as a hoodie~ but looks so much nicer
• Can be color blocked
• Huge front pocket! No worrying about your phone falling out! I ride my bike with my phone in that pocket!!
• Available as the North Star for men, or the Navigator for kids so you can make them for the whole family!

Many times someone might think of the Constellation as a something you’d sew for Fall or Winter. However, sewn in the “right” fabric, this pullover is PERFECT for cool summer mornings or evenings! . I love the longer zipper, which means you can lower the zipper if you get a tad warm.

My. newest version is this white loop Terry with a gold metallic zipper. I think it will be my “Official Bike Riding Constellation”. I took it away with me earlier this week and I wound up wearing it almost every day at some point! This loop Terry is from Raspberry Creek Fabrics and is on clearance for about $5 per yard. It is available in a few colors. You can find it here.

For this time of year, I LOVE sewing up the Constellation in Swim Fabric. Above you’ll see my 2 newest Swim Constellations. The pink and blue is a custom print from RCF. The Grecian blue floral is from their current line. I just had to throw in a picture of the Swim Constellation that started it all many years ago!!

If you’ve been reading my blog you know how much I love sewing every day clothes in swim fabrics. You can read more over on this blog post. There you might find some helpful tips for sewing with swim.

Purchase the Constellation Pullover HERE.

You can read all about my Constellation collection HERE.

3. Band Camp Shirt

Why?

• Sleeveless and short sleeved options perfect for summer.
• So many options to chose from for so many different looks.
• Quick sew with a simplified collar.
• Boxier fit than the Aria button-down.
• Sews up nicely in so many fabric types
• Combined with the Caprice makes a great faux dress!
• Make a coordinating Men’s version for the men in your family!

The Band Camp released towards the end of the summer last year. I made a few version during testing and I was amazed at how often I grabbed them. The sleeveless version is so awesome for hot and humid days. The “Branching Floral” print in a cotton voile from Style Makers Fabric, it is very light weight but also has just the perfect amount of crispness. I have few more planned along with a few more cotton poplin versions.

The sleeveless version is a custom printed cotton poplin from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. The cotton poplin is only sold for printing custom designs~ I highly recommend this fabric for the Band Camp. I ordered 3 additional prints after making and wearing this version.

The Linen/Rayon blend Band Camp on the far right actually looks larger, however it isn’t. Fabric choice really can play a big part in how a garment fits us. This linen blend creates a more slowly shirt.

The blue leaf print is the final I made during testing and I love wearing this one! It is cool and crisp and perfect for summer. My faux dress is the long sleeved Band Camp paired with the Caprice Skirt. I wear it as pictured about and also with jeans. You can read all about my faux dress over on this blog post. This fabric was gifted to me from Style Maker Fabrics.

You can grab the Ladies Band Camp Shirt HERE.

You can grab the Men’s Band Camp Shirt HERE.

For fabric and sizing details along with some sewing tips for the Band Camp, visit this blog post.

4. Aria Button down

Why?

• Great layering piece
• Long Sleeve version is perfect for cool evenings or chilly air-conditioned stores
• Perfect when worn open over the LBD or a Summer Basics Tank
• Short sleeve version is great for hot and humid days(when sewn up in a linen or cotton voile)
• Sleeveless dress version is a great summer staple!

I  LOVE sewing and wearing the Aria in linen! It may wrinkle, but the coolness of it totally makes up for the wrinkles. I made this white linen version 2 summers ago and it’s still worn ALL the time. My FAVORITE Aria is still my color blocked linen version that I made last Spring. On my to-sew list this spring is a color blocked pink and red linen version. My favorite place to buy linen is GrayLines Linen in the NYC Garment District. If you don’t love the wrinkles of linen, seersucker is also a great option for the Aria in summer time!

My closet definitely was lacking short sleeved Arias. I wear the light blue striped linen version so often, I just sewed up two more a few weeks ago. I foresee this seersucker multi stripe version getting a lot of wear! Here is a throwback photo of the sleeveless dress version I made during the testing of the Aria, this would be a great addition to your summer wardrobe.

One of my favorite things to make is a “Modified” Aria so it is more like a jacket. Basically I’m tweaking the cuff and the hemline. I made one in the Fall and I wore so often, I knew I needed one for Spring and Summer. I’m already getting so much wear from my Kelly green linen Aria “jacket”. Visit this blog post for all the details. In the above photo on the left, you’ll see a sneak peek of the new Bluegrass western shirt that is releasing Friday 5/9/25!

Nervous about sewing a button down? Grab the Aria Course during the sale! It’s like having your own sewing instructor holding your hand from beginning to end.   You can find the Aria Course HERE.

You can grab the Aria HERE.

To read all about the Aria, and how I adjust it to fit my petite pear shape, visit this blog post.

5. Tinley Skirt and Skort

Why?

• Casual and comfortable~ I actually live in mine all summer!!!
• Great alternative to shorts
• Perfect for bike riding and hiking, when made in swim or athletic fabrics
• Super quick sew

This combination above is on constant rotation. A Swim knit Tinley Skort worn with a knit tank top(RTW) with a linen long sleeved Aria button-down. On a typical day I may wear it to the grocery store, out to lunch, for a bike ride around the neighborhood or just relaxing on the porch with a book.

The Tinley Skort made from Swim fabric is perfect for busy active days as well as lazy days. My husband and I always take weekly bike rides and when it’s warm enough I ALWAYS wear a. Tinley Skort! The swim knit is cool to the touch and UPF 50 so it’s perfect for hot sunny days. I used cotton lycra for the shorts underneath. You could also make these in athletic knits. I purchase all my swim knits from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. I love having fun “Lilly P” type prints custom printed on swim fabric.

I also always pack these for vacations for bike riding, hiking and exploring.

The straight skirt option of the Tinley is my alternative to shorts. I simply don’t wear shorts~ I don’t find them comfortable and I hate how they bunch up on me! To me, the Tinley straight skirt is cooler and more comfortable to wear. I love using midweight to heavier weight cottons for the Tinley.

The Pink Geometric is a midweight stretch cotton poplin and the Blue and Yellow printed patchwork is a midweight cotton twill. The straight skirt is perfect for fabrics that have a bit more structure to them.

You can grab the Tinley pattern here.

I’ve written 2 blog posts about the Tinley. 

• This blog post discusses how I’ve altered the pattern to fit my petite plus size shape.
• This blog post reviews the different fabric choices I’ve used for my Tinleys.

6. Laundry Day Tee Dress

Why?

• It’s always on sale for just $5!
• Cool and Comfortable to wear
• Can be dressed up or down
• Multi purpose
• Goes from day to night easily
• The fit~ it flatters everyone!
• Quick and easy to sew

I LOVE making the LDT in swim fabric. It’s the perfect dress for a hot day! I wear them for walks on the beach, bike rides in hot weather, and even out to lunch! Sometimes I wear my sleeveless LDT dresses as beach coverups, to the water park with my little niece and nephew and even just for lounging. They are the coolest thing I have in my closet. Again, I buy all my swim fabric from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. Sometimes, I just select prints from the current collection, but often I have it custom printed.

Early in the season when the water is way too cold to attempt~ so I often just go to the beach in one of my sleeveless LDT dresses for just an hour or two. There is nothing more relaxing than the sound of the waves! Sometimes I’ll walk at the edge of the water looking for sea glass and it doesn’t matter if a wave sneaks up on me. Swim knit dries so quickly! Sometimes I just sit with my toes in the sand with a good book, then throw on my denim jacket and continue on with my day!

Confession Time ~ When I was a kid, I remember laughing at my grandmother when she said she had to put on her “house dress”. Even in my 30’s and 40’s I don’t think I ever had a “house dress”. But alas, I’m now in my 60’s and retired and I LOVE my “house dresses”. So, I’m here to say that the LDT is the BEST house dress. I now own 3 of these LDT made in Loop French Terry. I sometimes wear them as beach cover ups, but mostly I wear them at home when I really want to put on my PJ’s~ but it’s only 4 pm. Note: I used the puff sleeve from the Arlington on these LDT dresses.

You can grab the Laundry Day Tee dress pattern HERE.

Click HERE to read my blog post about my LDT dress collection. I’ve sewn the LDT dress in many different fabric types and discuss them in this blog post.

What Other Patterns Should You Buy?

Need help deciding which patterns to grab during this sale? First, I recommend buying the recent new releases that you didn’t buy during the release sale. Patterns typically don’t become a $6 pattern until one year after they have been released. Patterns such as the Ladies Pianoforte Jumper, Evanston Vest, and Geneva Pullover are good ones to buy. These patterns may have released during the Fall and Winter months, however they could work perfectly for Spring and Summer too! You can also get a head start by sewing up Clearwater Summer Essentials pattern so you’ll be ready to go!!

This is also a great time to pick up any of the recent $6 Feature Friday patterns that you may have missed. Patterns are only featured for $6 once a year, so if you missed one~ now is the time to grab it!  

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Still Need Help Deciding Which Patterns to Buy?

You can visit this blog post from last May to see the Love Notions patterns I used to sew up my Summer Vacation wardrobe. Check that blog out here.

Want to get the most bang for your buck?  Check out this blog post to find some Love Notions patterns give you the most bang for your buck.

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SNEAK PEEK

The Bluegrass Shirt and Dress will be releasing the last day of the sale, Friday, May 9. A western style shirt doesn’t call your name? Well, if you follow me, then you know I’m not really a western shirt kinda girl. BUT~ this new shirt is THE perfect princess seamed shirt! I was able to get such a great fit. And clearly you can see~ I my version is casual, coastal and classic! The shirt will be on sale for a week for $9.50. It is not included in this sale, but you can use my discount code~ LOVEMARY10LN beginning on Saturday 5/10 for 10% off. (Note, if you want 10% off the Bluegrass, you should wait until Saturday to purchase it.)

You will be able to find the Bluegrass Western Shirt HERE on Friday 5/9.

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Thanks for stopping by! I truly appreciate all of you that visit!  If you enjoyed this blog post, consider subscribing to my blog to stay up to date with all my posts!  Be sure to look for all my Summer makes coming soon!

Mary Anne 🙂

Remember to follow me over on Instagram to see all my latest makes!  @sewmarymac

You can also follow my Facebook Page~ Sew Mary Mac. On this page you will find information on my makes from all pattern companies. If I know of any good sales(pattern or fabric) I will also feature this information. I have had many of my loyal followers send me friend requests on Facebook. I do post in the Love Notions group under Mary Anne MacLean, however this Facebook account is private. There is no sewing content on that Facebook Account.

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You can purchase all Love Notions patterns HERE. 

This is an affiliate link. It costs you nothing to purchase from this link, it just helps fund my fabric addiction which allows me to test and review more patterns.

Remember, to receive the 45% off the digital pattern and course prices, you MUST use the coupon code LOVEMARY45 at checkout!

This code is only good for this sale week only. Beginning Saturday, 5/10/25 my code will go back to LOVEMARY10LN. This code will be good through JUNE 2025.

 I am currently a Love Notions Ambassador. I am given access to all new patterns for free. I purchased many of the patterns above on my own before becoming an ambassador. As always all opinions are my own.