………….Welcome To My Sewing Room (and Where to Buy Zippers)
Feature Friday Patterns From Love Notions~
Today’s sale is amazing!!! Three patterns, all just $6 each! The Pullovers are the Feature Friday this week. I LOVE all of my LN Constellations! This pattern has really become a go-to for me. I wear them year round! I find it a great alternative to a “hoodie” or basic sweatshirt. It’s just as comfortable, yet looks so much more “polished”. It sews up so nicely in a variety of fabrics, which truly makes it suitable for all four seasons!
My husband loves his North Star so much that he is always asking when I’m going to make him another one! There is even a kid’s version too~ the Navigator!
Be sure to use my code 10MACSEWS45 for an additional 10% off. If for some reason this code isn’t working, simply use 10MACSEWS instead.
The Constellation is one of my most sewn Love Notions patterns! I wear it year round, and simply change up the fabrics that I sew it up in. My newest version is this navy blue “speckled” sweatshirt fleece I grabbed from Style Maker Fabrics last year. It’s so soft and warm and perfect for winter! I chose to use a gold metal zipper for this version. It’s one of my favorite zippers to use as it isn’t as heavy as some that you find (Coats & Clark version).
Where To Find Affordable Quality Zippers?
My go-to resource for zippers is SIL in the NYC Garment District. They have a great selection of zippers in hundreds of colors. They will also cut a zipper to any size that you may need. The GOOD NEWS? You can buy them online!
The zipper I used for my new navy sweatshirt fleece Constellation is the new EVERBRIGHT zipper. It is part of YKK’s new luxury line of zippers. It is highly polished and glides so smoothly. It comes in shiny brass or shiny silver. I prefer the #3 size but it is also available in #5. Both sizes are available in separating or closed end. Oh, and did I mention they are available in 107 colors? The zipper for my new Constellation was just $6,50. I feel this can zipper really elevate your Constellation to the next level. You can find these zippers HERE.
The color chart is very accurate, as when I don’t have time to run into the city to shop in person, I have ordered online. Shipping is fast too! There is even an option to change the zipper pull for an additional charge.
If you prefer plastic zippers, my favorite zipper would be the YKK, #3 Vislon zipper. You can find these zippers HERE. These zippers come in lengths of 4″- 28″ for just $3.50 in 146 different colors. You can also have them custom cut a zipper for you. These zippers are also available in #5 and #8 sizes and in closed, separating, and 2-way separating(limited colors). Again, the color charts are super accurate and shipping is fast! There is a YKK color chart available for $38. You can find that HERE.
I highly recommend these zippers for any of your Love Notions patterns. I buy all my zippers from them for my Oakley Vests, Clef Coats as well as my Constellations. I am much happier with them than any I used to pick up at Joann Fabrics(RIP).
For all the details on my Constellations, including sizing, fabric choices and sewing tips~ visit this blog post. You’ll see many Constellations in this blog post but you can also search the Love Notions Facebook group to see many more from over the years.
The Details
- Perfect for Layering!
- Hood or Collar options
- Optional Thumb-hole cuffs
- Two Hem Options: banded or curved
- Half zip Front
- Easy to put on and take off
- Breast Feeding Friendly
- Great Alternative to a Hoodie
- Great for Color Blocking
- Huge Front Pocket ( where you hands can tough each other!)
- Can Make One for the Whole Family!
- *** The pattern tutorial includes AWESOME video links for installing the zipper!!!!
The Men’s North Star Pullover
My husband LOVES his North Star Pullover. He wears it constantly, and I’m always having to tell him to change when he goes into the garage to work on some “project”. I really need to make him another one. I have a few pieces of fabric I’ve picked up with him in mind. Perhaps this winter I’ll actually sew him another!
What I Wore Last/This Week~
I was away all week on vacation up in Newport, RI and Boston. The “feels like” temps were below zero up to the teens. Since we spent so much of our time there outdoors and bundled up I didn’t get photos of my outfits most days. I did however wear an LN Oakley Vest almost everyday! The first picture was taken in my driveway before we left on Sunday morning. Yup~ we drove through snow to get to Newport, RI. It took much longer than usual~ but we made it to the Sparkling Lights at The Breakers Mansion on time! In the bonus photos at the end of my post, you’ll see how I was dressed most of the time (LOL).
- LN Oakley Vest (this is the one I wear the most!) in a fleece from Joanns
- LN Aria Button down in sweatshirt fleece over a La Bella Donna in rib knit
- LN Oakley Vest in a sweater knit over a RTW sweater
- LN Constellation in a speckled sweatshirt fleece from Style Maker Fabrics (2024)
What I’m Sewing (Not Sewing) This Week ~
Perhaps I should say, ” What I wish I was sewing this week”. I’ve been away all week, just arriving home last night. So I quickly typed up the Weekly Stitch~ but then I need to decorate my Christmas tree (because you don’t want to leave a decorated tree with 2 cats alone in the house~ ask me how I know). Then I need to move on to cookie baking, because my grown daughters will be down next week and would be soooo disappointed if their favorite cookies aren’t waiting for them!
If I get a few minutes here and there these are my plans~
- Sew up the Constellation I cut out last week. (See photo above)
- Sew up a colorblocked sweatshirt for Raspberry Creek Fabrics~ new Valentine’s Club Fabric that has just released. If I can’t get it sewn up I at least hope to get it cut out. See photo below.
My Fall Sewing Plans~
I’m really happy with how I’ve been able to stick to my sewing plans list~ and with how much I have actually completed! I have my 2 Clef Coats to sew, which I will begin right after the holidays! The only other think left is my Coda Coat, but this was actually always planned on having this done for late winter/early spring! In January I will be compiling a new sewing plan list for the Winter/Early Spring.
- LN Aria Button-downs ~ ALL COMPLETE!!
- Corduroy ~Woodland print that I purchased last fall from Style Maker Fabrics
- Sweatshirt fleece, pink plaid that I ordered from RCF
Jacket hack in Navy linen~ just received from Mood Fabrics~- I’m going to push this ahead to my Spring Sewing Plans list
- LN Timbre Top long sleeved button front version ~ ALL COMPLETE!!
- Block print cotton voile ~has in stash from Blackbird Fabrics.
- Perhaps a Rayon challis version? Found perfect rayon challis in my deep stash (10 yrs old?)
- Bonus Sew~ Green Double Gauze from last big Joann Fabrics haul
- LN Constellation Pullovers ALMOST COMPLETE!
- Navy Speckle Sweatshirt Fleece~ in stash from Style Maker Fabrics DONE!
- Oatmeal and Fuchsia floral sweatshirt fleece~ in stash from Style Maker Fabrics CUT OUT!
- LN Clef Coat UP NEXT!
- Gray Sweatshirt fleece~ in stash from ????
- Navy Boucle purchased a few years ago from Style Maker Fabrics
- LN Oakley Vests ALL COMPLETED!
- Two Quilted Sweater knits from stash (Sage and
Plum)~ from Style Maker Fabrics(2023 & 2024) - Sage Quilted knit completed.
- Added Gray Quilted Sweater Knit in place of the Plum.
- Added Purple Quilted Sweater knit in place of the Purple Puff quilted fabric below.
Purple Puff quilted fabric ~Style Maker Fabrics from last year~ still trying to find fabric for binding I like!!Note: I’m not finding anything I like, so I’m rethinking my plans for this fabric.
- Two Quilted Sweater knits from stash (Sage and
- LN Coda Coat ~ADDED 10/4 Will Be Making This For Early Spring
- Update!!!! I found a quilt at Home Sense in the clearance section! A Draper James quit for just $30!
- LN Sloane Sweater~ Added 10/20 / COMPLETE
- Wearable muslin of the Sloane~ since I needed to make some size adjustments.
- Rose Floral Reverse French Terry (Style Maker Fabrics 2024)
- Teal Striped Ribbed Sweater Knit (Style Maker Fabrics 2024)
- Houndstooth Hacci Sweater Knit~ Promo for Raspberry Creek Fabrics
Thanks for reading “The Weekly Stitch”! I’m so happy you took the time to “visit” my sewing room!
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.
Pattern Links~
To receive an additional 10% off the LN pattern price, use this coupon code 10MACSEWS45 .This coupon code can be used at anytime on any pattern….even a $6 Feature Friday pattern. My code does change quarterly, so please always check the newest blog post for an update if you find a code isn’t working. This code will be good through the end of 2025. (NOTE: This is just 10% off, not 45.) If for some reason the above code does not work, use the code 10MACSEWS.
My code does change quarterly, so please always check the newest blog post for an update if you find a code isn’t working. January 2026 my code will change.
Blog Posts~ These will give you more details on each pattern, my sizing and alterations along with sewing tips for each specific pattern.
- Love Notions Constellation
- includes fabrics I use to make the Constellation year round
- Sewing With Swim Fabrics
- includes tips for sewing the Constellation in swim fabric
Bonus Photos~ Newport, Rhode Island and Boston!
Here are some photos from our trip this week. We drove up (through a snowstorm) to Newport to see the Sparkling Lights at The Breakers Mansion. All the Newport Mansions look stunning during the holidays~ but this was the one I wanted to see this year! We then drove up to Boston for a few days. We stayed on the edge of the North End (the historic Italian section) and across the street from the Boston Gardent(TD Garden)~ where we went to see my husband’s beloved Boston Bruins play. It was a great trip and he was so happy being back on his home turf. He has lost his accent (he actually worked on losing it during his college/law school days)~ but it actually makes him happy to hear it!!! We spend some time at Snowport down at the Seaport in Boston. It was cold~ but so there were so many great booths with handmade items and great food! I almost bought this yellow “Buttah” sweatshirt~ but yellow really isn’t my color! (Although she does have an Etsy shop with a white or blue version which I just may buy myself!) The navy sweatshirt with the gingham “Boston” is one I hope to recreate!! We even got in a bit of curling!
sewmarymac.com 