Author Archives for sewmarymac

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About sewmarymac

Hi, Im Mary Anne and I’m so exited to share my blog with all of you! I hope you find it inspiring no matter where you are on your sewing journey. I live on the East Coast of the US(at the beach in NJ). I’m a retired FACS teacher(Home Ec), where I taught sewing, foods and child development for 32 years. I started sewing when I was about 10- learning from my mom, grandmother and older sister. I studied Textiles in college and worked in NYC for a Big 4 pattern company for several years before I decided life at the beach was better and more conducive to raising a family. I retired in 2017, and now I have all the time to sew! I found the online sewing community while recuperating from foot surgery. I am so glad I did! Since then I have been sewing up my casual retirement wardrobe. I like simple comfortable clothing that fits! As a full busted 5 foot tall woman in her 60’s, it’s very hard to buy clothing that fits, is trendy and I love.

Me Made May Continues & The Weekly Stitch With Sew Mary Mac~ May 8, 2026

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

Hooray For May and $5 Patterns Each Day!!!!!!

In honor of Me Made May, Love Notions has been doing something really special this May! Each day of May LN has been featuring a different pattern for just $5! The schedule won’t be announced ahead of time~ so check back to this email each day(until the next Friday’s Weekly Stitch) for the $5 pattern of the day and my link to the pattern and related blog post! Remember each pattern is on sale for just 24 hours.

**I would truly appreciate if you could use my affiliate link below to give me credit for your purchase. Thank you so so much for visiting and helping to support my blog! The small amount I get with this affiliate link helps to keep my blog ad free! 🙂 If you don’t want to return to my blog each day~ you can simply go to the Love Notions Website to see the $5 pattern. You can bookmark/save this link which will also give me credit for your purchases~ Love Notions Patterns

Today’s $5 Pattern~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Olympia Dress & Top(recently added!)

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.  I didn’t have much fabric in my stash that would have been suitable~ but I did have this piece of ITY knit (the dots are actually white and light blue~ but I couldn’t get it to photograph very well)

Buy this pattern HERE

To read more about the new Olympia Top option and how I altered it to fit me go visit this “Weekly Stitch With Sew Mary Mac”.

Screenshot
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Me Made May Is Here ~ The Love Notions Trunk Show & The Weekly Stitch With Sew Mary Mac!

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

Hooray Hooray It’s Me Made May~ $5 Pattern Every Day!!!

In honor of Me Made May, Love Notions is doing something really special ALL MONTH LONG! Each day of May LN will feature a different pattern for just $5! The schedule won’t be announced ahead of time~ so check back to this email each day(until the next Friday’s Weekly Stitch) for the $5 pattern of the day and my link to the pattern and related blog post! Remember each pattern is on sale for just 24 hours.

**I would truly appreciate if you could use my affiliate link below to give me credit for your purchase. Thank you so so much for visiting and helping to support my blog! The small amount I get with this affiliate link helps to keep my blog ad free! 🙂 If you don’t want to return to my blog each day~ you can simply go to the Love Notions Website to see the $5 pattern. You can bookmark/save this link which will also give me credit for your purchases~ Love Notions Patterns

Thursday 5/6 $5 Pattern ~~~~~~~~ Aurora Tunic & Dress

The Aurora is a classic yet modern dress or tunic. The Dress version is fitted at the waist, while the Tunic has more ease in the waist and hip areas. The Aurora is so versatile~ it can be dressier or more casual depending on your fabric choice. My favorite things about this pattern~ the fit, the pockets and the ruched sleeve!

Buy this pattern HERE.

Be sure to check out my blog post with all my sizing details, alterations, fabric selection and changes I used to create my beach coverup. Read it HERE.

Although I love the look of the more fitted Aurora

dresses made in Ponte knit that I have seen, I don’t

really have the need for a dress like that in my wardrobe.

After I tried my white tunic version on, I absolutely fell in

love with the pockets. That got me thinking~ how can I

make this pattern work for my lifestyle? Then I realized,

these pockets are just perfect for collecting seaglass on

my morning beach walks! 

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Introducing The New Interlude Jacket!!

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

It’s an exciting day at Love Notions today!!! The NEW Interlude Jacket pattern is finally here! I was so lucky to be able to test this one and I think you’re gonna love it! The Interlude Jacket is on sale for just $9.50 now through next Monday, May 4, 2026. If you use my code 10MARYMAC you can get an additional 10% off. You can grab the pattern HERE.

The Interlude is the perfect for in-between seasons, or when the evenings are a tad chilly. It has some details you don’t always find in a “denim jacket”. Plus the possibilities are endless between the two body styles and fabric choices. Go totally classic and sew up a denim version, or choose a fun colored twill like me! I’m on the hunt for a mid weight linen cheetah print for a long version myself 🙂

I found the Interlude to be a very enjoyable sew! It’s not a quick sew, but is it a very satisfying one! I’m already on the hunt for a printed linen for a full length version!

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The Weekly Stitch With Sew Mary Mac~ April 24, 2026

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

Be sure to read all the way to the end for the details of yesterday’s NYC fabric shopping trip!

Feature Friday Pattern From Love Notions~ Chorus Top & Dress

The $6 Feature Friday pattern from Love Notions today, 4/24/2026 is the Chorus top and dress.  Need a nice dress in a jiffy? THIS is your pattern!! I was amazed at how quickly I was able to sew my maxi dress version! If you plan on purchasing the Chorus pattern, please consider clicking on my link to do so. This is an affiliate link and it will give me credit for your purchase. (Read more about this at the end of my post)

The Chorus Top and Dress is a unique dress that has many options to choose from. Depending on options selected and fabric used, this dress/top can be casual or dressy. It’s comfortable to wear, flattering and fairly simple to sew!

Both of my versions are sewn up in ITY knit. Personally I love sewing with ITY (even though some are a bit slippery to sew) because they are cool to wear, don’t wrinkle and you can roll them up into your carry on bag!! They go on every vacation with me!

For all the details on my sizing and the alterations I made for my Chorus maxi dresses , visit this blog post.

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The Weekly Stitch With Sew Mary Mac~ April 17, 2026

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

Feature Friday Pattern From Love Notions~ The Metra Blazer

UPDATED SALE INFO~ 4/17/2026~10:00 AM EST

Exciting news today! The $6 Feature Friday pattern today, 4/17/26 is the Metra Blazer. Even better news, is if you think you may need a little help with the tricky parts of this pattern~ the Metra Sewing Course is just $15 today. So you can get both the Course and the Pattern for just $21! You MUST use the code STITCH-9K4XQ2. Simply add the course and the pattern to your cart along with the code!

Already own the Metra Blazer pattern? If you already own the pattern but now would love the course, today is your lucky day! You too can purchase just the Metra Blazer Sewing Course for just $15! That’s a great deal. In order to get this fabulous deal you must enter the code STITCH-9K4XQ2

Note~ you can’t use my personal code for an additional percentage off, so please use my affiliate link for the pattern and/or course so I get credit for your purchase.

The Metra Blazer is such a versatile pattern. Depending on your fabric choice it can be dressier or more casual. It is much more comfortable to wear than a traditional blazer but looks more polished than a cardigan. I always wear one of my Metras when I go into the city for the day. I’m comfortable for the commute in, yet I still feel like I’m dressed nicely for the theater.

I just sewed up a new Metra Blazer in a Ponte Twill fabric and I just LOVE it. It has a bit more drape than a traditional ponte and just a bit lighter weight~ making it perfect for Spring and Summer!

Do you want more info on the Metra Blazer? Visit my previous blog post HERE. Here, I share my very first 2 Metra Blazers, fabric recommendations, sewing tips for the Metra and how I altered the Metra for my petite pear shape.

Above is one of the first Metra Blazers I every made! I love wearing them into the city for shows! This was a Funny Girl back in 2022!

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The Weekly Stitch With Sew Mary Mac~ April 10, 2026

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

Feature Friday Patterns From Love Notions~ The Game Day Jerseys!

The Feature Friday Pattern today is actually 3 patterns!!

There is a whole family of Game Day Jerseys available: Women’s, Men’s and Kids. Today, Friday April 10m 2026 they are all on sale for $6 each as the Love Notions Feature Friday patterns. To receive an extra 10% off an order totaling $8 or more, use my code 10MARYMAC.

Is a Game Day Jersey not really your thing? Me either~ but I found a way to sew this pattern up to become one of my favorite casual tops! And it doesn’t look anything like a “jersey”. After taking new photos of this “jersey” earlier this week, I realized I need to make more of these!

Why else should you purchase the Game Day Jersey? Do you love V-necks, but struggle sewing them??? Then THIS is the pattern for you! The lapped V-neck is such an easy element to sew- and it looks great! That is my favorite version of the Game Day! Oh yeah and it makes a great nightgown too( pajama top)! Scroll down to see those pics!

Be sure to visit my blog post linked below for some guidance in choosing your size for the Game Day Jersey. It is designed to be over-sized!

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The Weekly Stitch With Sew Mary Mac ~ April 3, 2026

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

My Ruffle Sleeve Hack

Feature Friday Pattern From Love Notions~ The Ballad Blouse

The $6 Feature Friday pattern from Love Notions today, 4/3/26, is the Ballad Blouse. This is such a perfect blouse for spring and summer. Sewn in the right fabric it will keep you looking cool and comfortable right through the summer no matter how hot it gets where you live! Please consider using my affiliate link to purchase your pattern. You can read more about that below in the “Pattern Links” section.

For details on my “Puff and Ruffle” sleeve hack for the Ballad Blouse, visit this blog post.

For complete pattern details, my sizing and alteration info and how to “Block Fuse” your interfacing, visit this blog post.

The Ballad Blouse is THE perfect blouse for spring and summer! It’s loaded with options that can easily help you fill your closet full of beautiful yet comfortable blouses. The relaxed fit will help you stay cool, yet look cute! The real star of this pattern is the shoulder detail! You can choose between shirring or gathers. I’ve only made the gathered version at this time. Consider trying the shirred version as well~ I did shirring for the first time in a LONG time for my Tempo sundress. It’s a lot easier than you might think! Plus there is a wonderful video to help you along the way! I can’t wait to make a few sleeveless versions for summer!

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Sewing For Spring & Summer With Love Notions Patterns

………….The Big 40% Off Sale Is Here! (45% off if using my code!)

Today, March 23 through Friday-3/27, 2026, all Love Notions digital patterns and sewing courses will be 40% off! This doesn’t happen very often, so I highly suggest grabbing any patterns(and courses) you really want to sew up soon! The only pattern excluded is the new Muse Blouse. If you use my code 10MACSEWS  you can get an additional 5% off the sale prices for a total of 45% off!!!!

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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)

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