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.
………….Welcome To My Sewing Room (This post contains affiliate links)
Feature Friday Pattern From Love Notions~
Today’s Feature Friday Pattern from Love Notions is the Sonata Dress! Today, 2/6/26 you can grab with classic dress pattern for just $6!
A true classic the Sonata dress is perfect for sewing up a late winter dress in a soft flannel or baby corduroy. Or if you’ve got Spring on your mind~ sew one up in a flowy rayon challis or chambray. This dress even sews up nicely in Quilter’s cotton! The 4 sleeve options make it a true year round pattern! Be sure to visit the Love Notions Facebook group (type in Sonata in the search bar) to see some lovely Sonata dresses for inspiration.
This dress has been on my to-sew someday for quite some time! I’m thinking seersucker or linen for spring and summer!
…………..Welcome To My Sewing Room (This post contains affiliate links)
Feature Friday From Love Notions Pattern~
Today’s $6 Feature Friday pattern from Love Notions is the Boyfriend Cardigan! It’s been almost 2 years since this cardigan has been featured~ so if you don’t have this one you should definitely grab it today! The Girl’s Boyfriend Cardigan is also on sale for $6 today, 1/23/26.
I simply love this cardigan pattern. I wear them pretty much year round. Now that it’s getting frigid cold where I live~ I’ll be layering with my heavier Boyfriends. If you grabbed the La Bella Donna top last week that’s my favorite top to wear underneath my Boyfriends!
The Details
Why I love this pattern:
It’s the only cardigan pattern you’ll need!
Two Length options: A new duster length was added when it was updated!
Plain banded, Hooded or Shawl collar options
I LOVE the side vents and pockets on this pattern!
Can get totally different look with different fabrics.
It’s beginner friendly!
Can be worn year round.
Can be thrown over just about anything!!!
Can be hacked into a super cute vest!!! (See Below)
* 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 $6 Feature Friday Pattern for today, 1/9/2026 is the Breckenridge Henley! Remember to use my code 10MACSEWS for an additional 10% off. The Breckenridge is a great top for layering (see it with my Boyfriend Cardigan below or to wear all on its own. As seen above, I’ve even hacked it into a vest! Nervous about sewing a henley placket? It’s a lot easier than you may think!
The Details
The Breckenridge Henley is an easy to wear top, tunic or dress. Meant for knit fabrics, this style is perfect for all seasons! The neckline is an unconventional henley style that is amazingly easy to sew! Believe it or not buttonholes aren’t even required!
3 length options: shirt, tunic or dress
3 sleeve options: short, long cuffed or roll- tab 3/4
I hope your holidays were filled with family, friends and things that you love! I’ve taken a short (much needed) break from my “Weekly Stitch” due to the holidays and the dreaded flu! I’ve been out of my sewing room for almost 3 weeks now! I’m hoping that next week I’ll be back on track with the “Weekly Stitch” and my Winter Sewing Plans List!
Feature Friday Pattern From Love Notions~
The very first Feature Friday of 2026 is theEvanston Vest! This pattern released back in January of 2025 and this is the first time the pattern has been on sale for just $6! Remember to use my code 10MACSEWS for an extra 10% off!
………….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.
French TerrySwim KnitLoop Terry
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.
Everbright Vislon
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).
The $6 Feature Friday pattern today, 12/12/25 is the Compose Robe! This is a MUST HAVE pattern in my opinion. Not only does everyone need at least one Compose Robe in their closet~ it’s also a fun pattern to hack into a cardigan! PS~ the Kids Version is also on sale for $6 too! 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.
Need a few last minute gifts? The Compose Robe is a quick sew too! Make them for the whole family! One of my favorite things I have done with the Compose Robe pattern is to make a few small changes to create one of my most favorite cardigans. Did you ever have a knit that just didn’t have enough stretch to make a Boyfriend Cardigan? Compose to the rescue~ as this pattern is designed for wovens or knits!
I am so excited to share the new Palmer Dress with you! I was lucky enough to test this pattern~ and I’m really smitten with it! If you need a quick~ and I mean QUICK~ dress for the holidays this is the one you want! Oh~ btw it’s so comfortable to wear too!!!
The Palmer is on sale today, 12/5/25 through Thursday 12/11/25 for just $9.50. You can use my code 10MACSEWS45 (or 10MACSEWS) to receive 10% off. If the first code doesn’t go through, simply use the second one. NOTE: You can not get 45% off the Palmer Dress.
………….The Sew Thankful Sale At Love Notions Patterns Continues
My newest Oakley VestMy first Oakley Vest
First and foremost~ the Love Notions Sew Thankful Sales still going on! All regular priced patterns and courses are 40% off. If you use my special code 10MACSEWS45 you’ll get an extra 5%~ that means 45% off!! The sales runs through Friday 12/3/2025. Printed patterns will be 25% off. The only pattern excluded from the sale in the new Opus Vest)
I know many of you are busy checking out all the Black Friday Sales today 11/28/2025~ but Love Notions is having one of their rare site~wide sales beginning NOW! All patterns and courses are 40% off. If you use my special code 10MACSEWS45 you’ll get an extra 5%~ that means 45% off!! The sales runs from today through next Friday 12/3/2025. Printed patterns will be 25% off. You have a whole week to decide what patterns you “need”. (The only pattern excluded from the sale in the new Opus Vest)
But Wait~ There’s More!!!!!!!!!
With every purchase made during this sale using a code will allow you to get the Sewing Tool Kit PDF (print yourself at home). The Sewing Tool Kit is full of lots of helpful sewing tips guaranteed to bring your makes up a notch! But that’s not all~ for the first time EVER making a purchase (and using a sale code) will also get you the complete LOOK BOOK PDF (print at home yourself).
There are 2 ways to get this free Tool kit.
Use my 45% off code (10MACSEWS45) to get 45% off the order and I will send you the tool kit for free. Simply send me your order number and along with your email and I will send the PDF to your email.
Use Love Notions code SewThankful for just 40% off and you will get the Tool Kit added to your Love Notions account automatically. If you choose this method, please consider using my affiliate link so I will get credit for the sale. Purchase your patterns from this link.
Use code 10MACSEWS45 for 45% off your pattern order. In order to receive the Sewing Tool Kit & Love Notions LOOK BOOK for free simply send me your order number and email address and I will send you the PDF for free!
Which Patterns Should You Grab?
Need help deciding which patterns to grab during this sale? First, I recommend buying the recent new releases that you didn’t buy during the release sale. Patterns typically don’t become a $6 pattern until one year after they have released. Patterns such as the the Meadowlark Pants, Bridget Trousers, Bluegrass Shirt, Geneva Pullover and Evanston Vest are good ones to buy. These patterns may have released during the Spring and Summer months, however they will work perfectly for Fall and Winter too!
This is also a great time to pick up any of the recent $6 Feature Friday patterns that you may have missed. Patterns are only featured for $6 once a year, so if you missed one~ now is the time to grab it!
I’ll have another blog post out next week with all my favorite Love Notions patterns to use for layering this winter.
Still need inspiration? Check out some of these other blog posts!
You can check out my personal top 5 Love Notions patterns HERE. Note there might be some overlap on these lists. My favorites are constantly changing~ but these will always be patterns I love!
Want to get the most bang for your buck? Check out this blog post to find some Love Notions patterns give you the most bang for your buck!
And Now On To The Weekly Stitch!!
What I Wore This Week~
As I’ve been doing the past few weeks, I dug into the back of my closet to pull out things I haven’t been wearing. A few of those items I wore for the day and then decided to donate. A few others, I remembered why I use to love them. Others, I’ve decided on some minor adjustments I can make to them to make me love them again. And of course, some were actually a bit too small, but I wore them anyway (Hey June Halifax Hoodies).
LN Rockford Raglan in Hacci Sweater Knit
LN Oakley Vest in a Cable Sweater Knit
LN Breckenridge Vest Hack in a Sweater knit (Link to LN Blog with instructions below)
LN Rockford Raglan in a rib knit
Hey June Handmade Halifax Hoodies in Raspberry Creek Fabrics Oatmeal French Terry
LN Boyfriend Cardigan in a sweater knit from Surge Fabrics
LN La Bella Donna in a rib knit
True Bias Marlo Sweater in an “Urban Rib” knit
Hey June Santa Fe top in a rib knit from the NYC garment district. (Chic Fabrics)
What I Sewed This Week (and last week)~
Well, I haven’t gotten much sewing done these past 2 weeks. I’m still working on the new pattern test for Love Notions which releases 12/5. I just finished sewing up my final version and I can’t wait to show you all!
I was also busy prepping for my family coming for the holiday and hopping into the city to see Moulin Rouge with my sister. While in the city I grabbed a bunch of zippers from my favorite source, SIL, for the LN Oakley vests I’m sewing up.
My Fall Sewing Plans
Sometimes we need to pivot. That’s what I’ve decided I needed to do with one of the items on my Fall Plan. I knew I needed/wanted a few new LN Oakley Vests for my Fall and Winter wardrobe. I sewed up the Sage Quilted Knit that I had purchased a few years ago for the Oakley. Although I love the fabric itself, it just doesn’t work as nicely for the Oakley as my other quilted sweater knits did. This particular one has a bit more stretch to it and the recovery was not as good. I know as I wear it, it will become baggier and not be the look I’m going for. So~ I have 2 pieces of quilted sweater knit in my stash~ a gray and a purple~ which I will use instead. I have used this sweater knit in burgundy already for the Oakley and I love it. (See photos below)
Now I need to get binding and a zipper to match so I can sew them up! Update: I got the zippers on my trip into the city last week at my favorite spot SIL, ~ now I just need a purple binding! Whenever I go into the city, I cut tiny swatches of the fabrics I need zipper (or buttons) for to make matching them up easy. SIL also has an online store you can order from. The color chart on their website is pretty accurate~ I’ve ordered zippers I needed quickly and they matched perfectly!
Did you read my blog post on shopping in the NYC Garment District? You can read more about SIL and other shops HERE.
When I finish the Oakley Vests, I plan to move on to my new LN Constellations!
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
Navy Speckle Sweatshirt Fleece~ in stash from Style Maker Fabrics
Oatmeal and Fuchsia floral sweatshirt fleece~ in stash from Style Maker Fabrics
LN Clef Coats
Gray Sweatshirt fleece~ in stash from ????
Navy Boucle purchased a few years ago from Style Maker Fabrics
LN Oakley Vests
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. See photos below.
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.
LN Coda Coat ~ADDED 10/4
Quilted Jacket~ will be shopping at Home Goods to find a new quilt to cut up.
Update!!!! I found a quilt at Home Sense in the clearance section! A Draper James quit for just $30!
LN Sloane Sweaters~ Added 10/20 / ALL COMPLETE
Wearable muslin of the Sloane~ since I needed to make some size adjustments.
Rose Floral Reverse French Terry (Style Maker Fabrics 2024)
Houndstooth Hacci Sweater Knit~ Promo for Raspberry Creek Fabrics
You can found these quilted knits at Surge Fabrics is several colors. They are $10.99 per half yard. (I may just need to order another color since this fabric is perfect for the LN Oakley Vest! Shop for them HERE.
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.
The Love Notions links are affiliate links. It costs you nothing to purchase from these links, it just helps fund my fabric addiction which allows me to test and review more patterns.
During this week long Sew Thankful Sale use the code 10MACSEWS45. This coupon code gives you an extra 5% off the 40% off sale. This code is good for all patterns (printed patterns will be 25% off) and courses.
My code will change back to 10MACSEWS after 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 2025.
Blog Posts~ These will give you more details on each pattern, my sizing and alterations along with sewing tips for each specific pattern.
Hello! Welcome to my blog. I'm Mary, a retired Family & Consumer Science teacher of 32 years. I now spend my time making all my own clothes because I'm fun! I have an amazing daughter who made this blog for me.
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