Daily Archives: September 8, 2026

……………..A New Pattern Release From Love Notions

This is one pattern I am soooo excited to share with you!! Being petite, yet full busted~ I have never been a fan of woven wrap shirts, mainly because they NEVER fit me right! Imagine how surprised and elated I was when I made my Serenade top! I love it so much I’ve made 3!!!! I’ve already got several ideas for ones I want to make next Spring and Summer!! (Be sure to scroll to the end to see the Serenades I’m already planning for Spring/Summer!)

The Serenade is one pattern I highly suggest you grabbing! It’s on sale now through, 9/14 for just $9.50. Be sure to use my code MARYMAC10 for an additional 10% off.

Serenade Sew Along~

Even more exciting news!!!! For the first time ever Love Notions will be having a Private Serenade Sew Along that will last for 6+ weeks on a private Facebook group. The Serenade Sew Along is a 6+ week guided sewing experience designed to help you do more than just purchase a new pattern — but to help you sew it successfully! This won’t be free~ but it’s something new and I think it will be a great resource! The cost will be $15.00 and you can use my code MaryMac10 to get 10% off! You can purchase the pattern and Sew Along HERE.

• WHEN: September 14-October 30th
• WHERE: Private Facebook Group
• COST: Pattern + SAL = $24.50 Use code MARYMAC10 for 10% off!
• or
• SAL only = $15
• Weekly live videos
• Targeted sewing and fitting help
• Weekday check-ins
• Detailed email digest
• Private Facebook community
• Motivation to sew
• Accountability & “sewjo” boost!
• Fitting help
• Fabric help
• Exclusive discount codes
• Prizes & giveaways (including a $230 Reliable Steam Iron!). See below for all the Sponsors!

For more details on the Sew Along visit the LN website HERE.

• Sponsored by:
• Surge Fabric Shop – $50 giftcard. (This is where my plaid fabric came from)
• Sincerely Rylee – 8 yard woven bundle prize, 
• LA Finch Fabrics – $50 giftcard, 25% off
• TomKat Stitchery – Mastering the Art of Fabric Selection Course, $109 value
• Minerva
• Reliable Irons – 2701R Steam Iron, $230 value
• PDF Plotting – 25% off for Serenade print, good through 9/14
• Amanda’s Bundles – $25 giftcard
• Sitka Fabrics – 20% off (no US shipping)

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The Details

• Top and Dress Options
• Full Bust Option included
• 5 Sleeve Options: Sleeveless, Short, Flutter, Puff, Bishop
• Designed for woven fabrics
• Front darts for fitting on both the top and dress
• Fisheye darts in the back for fitting on the top version
• Elastic back waist on dress
• Dress includes pockets!
• Skill Level: Confident Beginner (bias tape may be more challenging for some beginners)

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Sizing & Fit

First let me just say this~ the fit of this shirt is amazing!!!! I have never had a slightly fitted top that fit me so well from the get go. I few little minor tweaks and I have a shirt pattern that will now be a staple in my me made wardrobe! (See my modifications below)

The Serenade is available in sizes XS-5X. A Full Bust pattern piece is included (like all new and updated LN patterns). Choose your size based upon your high bust measurement. Use the full bust piece if full bust minus high bust
is 4” or greater. If in-between sizes be sure to choose the smaller size. The Serenade Top is is a semi-fitted top with front and back darts. The tutorial includes excellent information for getting the right fit with the darts. The Serenade Dress is slightly fitted on the front with a looser fit in the back (no darts).

As all other Love Notions patterns, the Serenade is designed for a 5’5″ individual. . You can easily shorten or lengthen the pattern by using the lengthen/shorten lines. Refer to the tutorial for further help doing so. The Top is designed to hit at the high hip while the dress hits just below the knee.

Notice in the picture below how the inside fully crosses over to the left side seam. So even on windy days, it says in place and secure!

* Please note that the black gingham version appears to be deeper at the V in these photos. I had yet to sew the small snap on to it yet. The lightweight flannel I used also has more drape than the other 2 versions It is not lower. (The top version is about an inch lower than the dress version.). There is no need to wear anything underneath the Serenade. Typically V necks are often too low for me and this was perfect!

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My Sizing Alterations & Modifications

For my Serenade top, I made the Large with the Full Bust option and graded out to the XL hip. This is exactly where my measurements fall. For reference, I am just 5 feet tall, but I am not short waisted. I did make a few modifications, listed below~

• Coral Linen version is sewn exactly as stated above with no other modifications
• Gingham Flannel~ only change made was the shorten the bishop sleeve 1″
• Fableism Plaid~ For this version I did cut the XL hip, but then after trying it on I took it back into the large. I thought it looked better that way with this particular fabric. I also lengthened the length of the shirt by 1″for personal preference. The fullest part of my hip is my high hip, so I am more comfortable if a top doesn’t hit me exactly at that point. I also shortened the sleeve by 1″

Inside Closure Options~

The right front piece gets secured to the left side seam when worn. There are few different ways you can do this. The tutorial shows the method I have shown with my plaid version. ( I actually came up with this method during testing and Tami used!) But you do have other options!

• Coral version was our first Final test~ this was designed to have 2 snaps or buttons on the edge of the right front attach to the left side seam. With my full bust~ there was no way I would make that work for me. Therefore I attached a small piece of my leftover bias binding to the right edge and snapped that to the side seam.
• Black Gingham version~ for this version I went ahead and tested something out. I extended the bias binding past the right edge and used this extension to attach to the left. I added another piece of bias binding to the left side seam and tied them together to secure. I did like this option because it gave you the ability to adjust it. However it may have been too bulky for some fabrics. (You could use this option and use ribbon instead).
• Plaid version~ The bias binding is extended past the edge of the right front. A loop is attached to the left front side seam. For the loop you can use ribbon, elastic thread/ties or a fabric loop. The bias binding is then slipped through the loop and secured with either small buttons or snaps. I like that this gives you the ability to adjust if needed. If I need to tighten mine up I can simply move the snaps!

In addition you may attach a small snap at the neckline to keep the opening secure. Honestly, you may not even need it~but it does help keep everything in place. I added it to my plaid version and honestly when I wore it I never needed to adjust the shirt at all. With a large bust that is really saying something! So I’ll say it again~ I LOVE the fit of this shirt and how easy it is to wear. I wore this all day and was pretty active and I was NEVER tugging at the neckline to adjust it! So, that makes the Serenade a big YES for me!

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Fabrics & Notions

The Serenade is designed for light to medium weight woven fabrics. Fabrics such as chambray, linen, quilter’s cotton and rayon challis or poplin would all work nicely. Flannels that are light weight would work too! I also think Double Gauze would work as long as you stay stitched the neckline edges as soon as it is cut out. Double Gauze will create a slightly boxier look.

I used a variety of fabrics for my versions. You can see how different fabrics can create different looks. Be sure to check out all the tester’s versions to help you decide what fabric you’d like to use. Fabrics with more drape will create a softer “”balloon” shape when using the Bishop (or Flutter and Puff) sleeve. The Black Gingham fabric has much more drape than my Cotton plaid or Coral Linen. Fabrics with less drape, such as quilting cottons will create a difference look (many with the sleeves).

• First Fit Version~ rayon challis which will give a much softer flowy look
• Final Version 1~ Coral linen (a DKNY deadstock from Metro Textiles, NYC)
• Final Version 2.1~ Lightweight flannel gingham from my deep stash
• Final Version 2.2~ Fableism 100% Cotton from Surge Fabrics.

Notions~

Top and Dress~ Thread, 2 yards 1/4″ – 1/2″ double fold bias tape, one sew on snap to secure front wrap, One 1/2″ button for front closure if not using tie

Bishop or Puff Sleeve~ 1 yard 3/8″-1/2″ elastic

Dress~ 1 yard 3/8″-1/2″ elastic

Additional needed to secure the inside wrap on the shirt~ include 2 snaps and a loop (made from your fabric, an elastic tie or ribbon.

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Sew Mary Mac’s Tips For Sewing The Serenade Shirt

• Browse all through the tester photos (on the pattern listing and on their own posts in the Facebook group). Pay attention to the fabric type they used to help you select what fabric you’d like to use.
• I highly suggest making a muslin! A woven wrap shirt(next to pants) is probably one of the hardest things to make fit well (especially with a fuller bust). If you’re not used to wearing wrap tops it’s a good idea too. Use an old sheet or something from your deep stash. No need to complete the entire shirt/dress, simply cut out the top front and back and sew up the darts. This is where the fitting matters! Tami has added a great resource to the tutorial on helping you to get your darts to fit your body perfectly!
• You may want to purchase an additional 1/2 yard of fabric if you’re making your own bias tape, especially if you are matching a plaid or your fabrics is 45″. (My one fabric was actually only 43″ side after prewashing and it made a difference!!
• MAKE YOUR OWN BIAS TAPE! Packaged bias tape is just too stiff! Some small shops may stock bias tape that is softer. I always prefer making my own (except for the LN Oakley Vest~ packaged works so well for it!)
• Remember to cut your fabrics right side UP for the front pieces! Otherwise you won’t have the correct left and right sides.
• If your fabric doesn’t have a right or wrong side(like my Fableism cotton) be sure to choose one side as the “Right” one and label all pieces correctly!
• Stay Stitch the neckline edges immediately to prevent them from stretching out. Handle you pieces a little as possible until this is done!

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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!  I can’t wait to see your Serenades!!

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 buy the Serenade pattern HERE.

You can sign up and purchase the Sew Along HERE.

These are an affiliate links. It costs you nothing to purchase from these links, it just helps fund my fabric stash which allows me to test and review more patterns. 

To receive an additional 10% off LN pattern prices, use my code MARYMAC10. This coupon code can be used on any purchase as along as the order total is $8 or more.  Since this change has been made I would truly appreciate it if you used my affiliate link so that I will get “credit” for the sale. (I do receive a small commission).

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Final and Fit Test Versions~

One of the many reasons I love testing patterns for Love Notions, is that the tester’s thoughts and opinions are always taken into consideration and often lead to minor/major changes in the pattern.

I’ll be sure to update this post as I sew up new Serenades! With Fall weather arriving soon(hopefully) I want to sew shirts I would wear now. But, I have so many ideas for Serenade tops for the Spring and Summer. Here’s what I can’t get out of my mind!!!!

• If you follow me, you know I LOVE to color block! I can not wait to make a color blocked with different colors of linen. I’ve color blocked a few Aria Button downs and I may have enough left over for this!! *** I just went through my linen bin and I found enough to make the Serenade right now~ I think I’m going to do it NOW!!
• Colorblocked again~ with different striped seersuckers. Each from piece a different color with the bias binding yet another!
• A gingham seersucker version~ I have the perfect royal blue and white gingham seersucker from NYC Garment District.
• Red/Pink gingham linen~ I’ve been holding on to this fabric for over a year waiting to decide what to make with it. I was thinking a Melody~ but it may become a Serenade! This fabric is from Blackbird Fabrics
• Block Print Cotton Lawn~ this is also from Blackbird Fabrics and another one I’ve been holding on to!
• I think I’d like to try this in an eyelet. I think perhaps I’d only have to line the back~ but I’ll have to test it out.
• One of the above will be a flutter sleeve and I’d love a sleeveless version as well!!

Here are some of the fabrics I have in my mind for Serenades next year!!