The Weekly Stitch With Sew Mary Mac ~ March 20, 2026 PLUS The New Add-On To the Olympia Dress!

…………Welcome To My Sewing Room (This post contains affiliate links)

Feature Friday Pattern From Love Notions ~

This week the Feature Friday pattern is the Olympia Dress with an added bonus! A shirt version has been added to the pattern and the dress/shirt pattern is just $6 today(and often through the weekend)! If you’ve made the dress, then you already know that the neckline is really the star of this design~ which is why a shirt hack was needed! *If you already own the Olympia Dress pattern, simply redownload it from the LN website for the update which includes the shirt pattern pieces.

The star of the Olympia is the integrated reverse shawl collar with a V-neck~ it gives this shirt/dress such a timeless classic look. Plus it’s much easier to sew that you may at first think. (Be sure to click on the video link for help if needed.)

I”ll be honest, I have never made an Olympia Dress, however when Tami asked the Ambassadors to test the new shirt addition I figured it was time. You can grab the Olympia Dress & Shirt pattern HERE. Please remember to use my link so I will get “credit” for this sale.

Using just the existing bodice pattern pieces didn’t work for this “hack” as the bodice has negative ease for the dress. Simply adding length to the bodice pattern pieces wouldn’t work due to natural hip curves. So Tami redrafted the bodice pattern from the waist down for the shirt version~ adding the length and additional ease to the hip area. This shirt is designed to be close fitting to be tucked in when worn. To get the best fit for yourself remember to choose your size based on your high bust measurement! You can always grade for the waist and hips!

My Sizing & Modifications

I started with the XL with a DD cup size, since my high bust is 39.5″ and my full bust is 44″. (Note the Olympia is designed with 5 different Cup sizes to get the best fit.). I then graded out for my larger waist and hips. Because I have that extra “fluffiness” around my waist (which is always fluctuating day by day), I did remove some of the shaping at the waist. I also did this because I knew I wouldn’t be wearing this top tucked in. If you are built “fluffy” like me I would suggest doing the same when cutting out your fabric. You can always go back and take it in at the waist after trying on your top.

I am only 5 feet tall (but not short waisted) and I did not remove any length from this top. It is designed to hit at the high hip, which it does. In the future I will probably add an additional inch in length for my personal preference.

I sewed this Olympia Shirt up in an ITY knit from the NYC garment district. It was pouring outside when I tried to get photos and inside photos are just terrible in my house! I do wish you could see that some of the polka dots are actually light blue! (See photo below)

BIG NEWS!!!!!!!

The Love Notions 40% off site wide sale is beginning on Monday 3/23 and ends on Friday 3/27. If you use my code 10MACSEWS you will get 45% off your total purchase. (as long as your order is $8 or more). All digital patterns and courses are included in the sale with the exception of the newly released Muse Blouse.

Getting 45% off the sewing courses is a HUGE bargain!! Be sure to add one or two to your cart! Not sure what patterns you “need”? I’ll have a blog post out early next week to help you decide. You can also check out some of my past Spring Sale sewing blogs below for more ideas.

What I’m Sewing This Week~

This week I finished up the garments I made with the new Verona Active Stretch poly fabric that is available at Raspberry Creek Fabrics. If you want more details on the Verona fabric visit last week’s Weekly Stitch. There will also be a blog post on the Raspberry Creek Fabrics blog (written my me) in the next week or so. I’ll keep you posted.

I finished up my final Olympia shirt for Love Notions as you can see above. In addition to that, I did a lot of writing about sewing (I think that counts!).

New Pattern News~ I’ve begun testing the new jacket pattern from Love Notions! I think you’re really going to like this!! I’m very excited about it. Be on the look out for sneak peeks from Tami! I found a great source for a denim with a tad of stretch and great drape. I’ll be sure to share that on the blog post for that new pattern!

This is the Love Notions Constellation Pullover. The Verona Stretch is available in any of the Swim Collection prints along with several solid colors. (You can also custom print on it!) Next week’s Spring Sale Blog post will include all the modifications made on this pattern~ since the pattern is designed for actual knits as opposed to a stretch woven.

Below is a picture of my husband Love Notions Band Camp shirt in the solid French Blue Verona Stretch. This fabric has such nice drape. This will be perfect to pack for all our summer getaways~ it doesn’t wrinkle!!!!

My Late Winter/Early Spring Sewing Plans~

Needless to say, I haven’t made any additional progress on my early spring sewing plans. Once I get other commitments out of the way, I will finish up my Navy Boucle Clef Coat. I’m hoping to jump into my Boucle Compose “Cardigan” next and then the Coda Coat.

  • LN Clef Coat
    • Gray Sweatshirt Fleece (stash)~ I ordered a pink Vislon separating zipper~DONE
    • Navy Boucle (Style Maker Fabrics 2023?)~ I ordered 2 zippers, both a navy Everbright metal zipper, one silver the other gold and will decide when they arrive which one I will use. Edited~ this is cut out and I’ve chosen the gold zipper! Can’t wait to get this sewn up! 3/18~in progress still!
  • LN Coda Coat
    • Draper James bed quilt
  • LN Compose Robe “Cardigan”
    • Lt. Blue Italian Boucle (Chic Fabrics, NYC Garment District)
  • LN Metra Blazer
    • Navy Ponte (stash)
    • Bright Pink Linen look ponte (Surge Fabrics 2023?)
  • LN Aria Button down
    • Purple Linen~ long sleeved (Mood Fabrics, linen chambray)
    • Navy Linen hacked “Jacket”  (Mood Fabrics, midweight linen)
    • White Textured Cotton ~long sleeved (Stash)
      • I made a LN Melody in this fabric last summer and I reached for it so often so I’ll make another

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~

NOTE: These are affiliate links. It costs you nothing to purchase from these links but they do give me credit for your purchase and provide me with a small commission. This helps fund my fabric addiction which allows me to continue to test and review more patterns

Love Notions Patterns

Love Notions Olympia Dress with Shirt Add-on

Love Notions Constellation Pullover

To receive an additional 10% off LN pattern prices, use my code 10MACSEWS. This coupon code can be used on any purchase as along as the order total is $8 or more. This means that you can no longer get my 10% off one $6 Feature Friday pattern by itself.  Since this change has been made I would truly appreciate it if you used my affiliate links above to purchase the Feature Friday patterns so that I will get “credit” for the sale. (I do receive a small commission). To take more advantage of the $6 FF sale, I suggest adding another pattern or a children’s pattern to your order so you may use the 10% off code

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