………..Welcome To My Sewing Room
Feature Friday Pattern From Love Notions~
* Please read the important note under Pattern Links for update info on discount codes.
Today’s $6 Feature Friday pattern from Love Notions is the La Bella Donna! This is truly a wardrobe staple in my closet. I wear the LBD all year long! It is one of my favorite patterns for layering and I have a closet full of solid color ones to prove it! I have also created one of my favorite Tee shirts, by combining the LBD with the Classic Tee.(Details in the blog post linked below)
There are some patterns that are so good, you just sew them over and over. Imagine a top that makes you look great on your good days AND bad days. A top that is forgiving when you gain a few pounds here and there. A top that always makes you feel good about yourself. Sound too good to be true? Nope~ the Love Notions La Bella Donna or the LBD as we like to call it truly lives up to it’s name. “The Beautiful Woman” is exactly who you will be when wearing this top or tunic.
The Details
The La Bella Donna is a great Dolman style top and tunic that deserves a place in your closet!
The Details:
- Shirt and Tunic length
- Shirt tail or banded hem on Shirt length
- 3 Sleeve options: Short(cap), 3/4, and Long
- Hood or cowl options
- Pocket option for Tunic length
- ****new neckband option just added!!!
I’ve hacked the La Bella Donna to make a vest, pictured below. Visit this blog post for all the details
I also love to finish my La Bella Donna with a different neckline binding procedure. (see close up on the coral version below). I feel this gives the LBD a more professional RTW look. Visit this blog post for the detailed directions for creating this look.
What I Wore This Week~
- LN Terra Tunic in a Sweater Knit from Style Maker Fabrics (2023?)
- LN Oakley Vest in a quilted sweater knit from Surge Fabrics (several colors still available)
- LN Aria Button down in “Cozy Flannel” from Style Maker Fabrics (2023?)
- LN La Bella/Classic mashup in a triblend knit from Cali Fabrics a few years back
- LN Aria Button down in a Japanese Corduroy from Style Maker fabrics ( Winter 2025)
- LN La Bella Donna in a wide rib knit
- LN Sloane with a hacked funnel neck in a rib sweater knit from Style Maker Fabrics (Fall 2025)
What I’m Sewing This Week~
This week I finished up the version #1 of the pattern test I’m working on for Love Notions. It came out really cute and I’m excited for you to see it! I went through my deep stash and found a lightweight voile clip dot for Version #2. Version #2 had a few adjustments made to it and it’s ever cuter now!!
This new woven top has 3 different sleeve options and 2 hem options . It will sew up great in chambray, linen, rayon challis to name just a few. It’s a pretty quick sew too!
I’m not really planning on sewing up anything else this week. However I do have some sewing related plans.
- Deep clean my sewing room~ including dusting and cleaning the floor!
- Rearranging my fabric stash
- Work on my “Winter” and “Early Spring” sewing plans!
- Getting some me-mades ready for the consignment shop by taking out my labels, pressing them, etc.
My Winter 2026 Sewing Plans~
OOPS! The week really got away from me! This weekend I REALLY need to get these plans in order!
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~
*IMPORTANT UPDATE~Due to some changes made to the Love Notions Ambassador/Affiliate program, my 10% off code will only work on orders of $8 or more. The 10% off code will work on regular priced patterns, new pattern sales and site-wide sales and as stated any order of $8 or more. If you add another pattern to your order for the $6 Feature Friday, you will get the 10% off. (Consider a purchasing the Girls La Bella Donna pattern or one of the sale patterns)
To receive an additional 10% off the LN pattern prices, use my code 10MACSEWS. This coupon code can be used at on any purchase as along as the order total is $8 or more. This means that you can no longer get my 10% off the $6 Feature Friday pattern. Since this change has been made I would REALLY appreciate it if you used my affiliate links to purchase the Feature Friday patterns so that I will get “credit” for the sale.
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 March 2026.
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 La Bella Donna
- Includes my neckline binding technique
- Love Notions La Bella Donna
- includes my vest hack
- Love Notions Classic Tee
- Love Notions Terra Tunic
- Includes funnel neck hack and FBA info
- Love Notions Aria Button Down
- Love Notions Oakley Vest
- includes my collar and pocket modifications
- Love Notions Sloane
- include my funnel neck hack
sewmarymac.com 
I see you found a white opaque cotton modal – I am currently on the hunt for the `perfect’ white t shirt fabric – how has it held up after laundering etc? Would you recommend it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would absolutely recommend it! I have worn and washed/dried this so many times! I’ve gotten it in other colors as well!
LikeLike
Every December I jump into some big cleaning project. It’s supposed to be finished by New Year’s Eve so I can greet the new year with a freshly cleaned something or other. This year it is the grout in my tile floors. My entire house is tile, so I wildly overestimated my abilities. I’m almost done thanks to my Ryobi scrubber and two boxes of Efferdent……for the grout!
Earlier last year, I went through my sewing room and donated several yards of “what was I thinking?” fabric. It was only the first pass. If I don’t make room, I can’t buy any more fabric, and that’s a problem. But before I do that, I have been working on a Whistler top. I really like the style, but I don’t think it is a good one for me since I am built a lot like you, Mary, very little space between my neck and the start of my bust. I need a less cluttered look.
LikeLike