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.

Another Day…Another Timbre Top

…A Mini Pattern Hack Blog Post

This mini blog post will cover a few hacks/changes I’ve made to my newest version of the Love Notions Timbre Top and Dress.

  • Creating a Ruffle Cuff Bishop Sleeve
  • Lining the Bodice For Eyelet or see-through fabrics
  • Pattern changes needed when working with fabrics with a border

For more detailed information on the Love Notions Timbre Top and Dress visit this blog post.

The Timbre Top and Dress is the $6 Feature Friday pattern today, 8/1/2025. For an additional 10% off, use my code 10MARYMAC.

I created this “Ruffle Cuff Bishop” sleeve simply by adding a bias tape casing to the inside of the sleeve, and then inserting 3/8″ wide elastic. Keep reading to learn how.

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Perfect Time For A Timbre

…A New Pattern Release From Love Notions!

The Timbre Top and Dress pattern from Love Notions is here and what perfect timing! Over on the Northeast Coast, we’ve been having much hotter and humid weather than normal. This top/dress is PERFECT for hot sticky days!

I was so excited to test the new Timbre top and dress, so excited that I kept sewing them up. Every time I looked in my stash I thought, “Wow, this would make a cute Timbre!” I LOVE this pattern and I’m positive that you’re going to love it too! It reminds me of one of the first things I ever sewed for myself back in the 70’s~ and I think I just may have to recreate it!

The Timbre Top and Dress pattern is the $6 Feature Friday pattern today August 1, 2025. You can use my code 10MARYMAC for an additional 10% off.

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The New Clearwater Summer Essentials is a Clear Winner!

…A New Pattern Release from Love Notions

The Clearwater Summer Essentials is the newest member of the Love Notions family ~ and it’s a winner in my book! I can’t believe I sewed a swimsuit AND I actually wear and like it!!

Update 6/27/2025~ In honor of the Girls Clearwater Summer Essentials pattern that released today, both the girls AND Ladies patterns are on sale for just $6 ALL WEEKEND! You can use my code 10MARYMAC for an additional 10% off.

Although I am not new to sewing swim fabrics, last year this was the first time I ever attempted sewing a swimsuit for myself. Oh how I wish the new sewing course was available last year! I read so many blogs and watched so many videos to find all the tips I could. But~ you are so lucky because Tami and Katie Grimm (another Love Notions Ambassador) have put together a Clearwater Sewing Course that basically holds your hand as you sew this pattern! This sewing course is $25 and is sooooo worth it! This weekend only (6/27/25-6/27/2025) if you purchase the course you can get either the girls or ladies Clearwater pattern for FREE!

If someone told me a year ago that I’d be sewing my own swimsuit this summer~ I would have laughed and said “NO WAY”. I LOVE sewing garments in swim knits. But, I have NEVER really had an interest in sewing an actual swimsuit before. I always thought it would be way to hard to fit my petite yet curvy/busty shape.

I didn’t test this pattern, but as a Love Notions Ambassador I receive a copy early. I’ll be honest, I didn’t know what to expect! Needless to say, I am thrilled with my new swim dress. I have already taken it for a swim AND I’ve ordered another piece of swim fabric to make another!

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Game Day Jersey Is A Game Changer

…A Mini Pattern Hack Blog Post~ Turning The Game Day Into A Nightgown

The Game Day Jersey is the perfect pattern to make your own “team” jerseys, but this pattern can be so much more!! I’ve modified this pattern into my favorite nightgown pattern!!! It took a few tries to get it just right, but now I have the perfect nightgown pattern!!!

There is a whole family of Game Day Jerseys available: Women’s, Men’s and Kids. Today, Friday June 28 they are all on sale for $5 each as the Love Notions Feature Friday patterns! Use code 10LOVEMARY for an additional 10% off.

You can read my detailed post about the Game Day Jersey HERE. This post has all the details, sizing and fabric informations you may want to know. There are also some tips for sewing up your own Game Day Jerseys.

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My Favorite Combination= Love Notions + Style Maker Fabrics

First……….A Little About Me Made May

Happy Me Made May! Are you participating? I’ve participated the last few years, but this year I decided to sit out. I’m still enjoying following along on Instagram with everyone else! It’s a great way to find new patterns, new fabric resources and new sewing “friends”. If you aren’t familiar with Me Made May, you can read all about it here.

I’m not participating for a few reasons. I wear Me Mades everyday, so I don’t “have to try to wear them each day”. My oldest daughter is getting married this week, so I’ve been pretty busy with that. What I decided to do for Me Made May this year, was to pull things from my closet that I don’t typically reach for. I’m wearing them and then deciding whether to keep them or pass them on. A few items I’ve worn for an hour or so, then I found they annoyed me for some reason or another~ in this case I changed and put that item into my donate pile.

Me Made May is also a great time to evaluate your wardrobe and see what gaps your wardrobe may have. So, that may mean buying some new fabrics to help fill those gaps! Who doesn’t love buying new fabrics!

These are all versions of the Rhapsody Blouse. All these of these rayons are still available.

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A Closet Full of Caprice Skirts

… A New Pattern Review + A Mini-Tutorial!

The Caprice Skirt pattern has just been released by Love Notions. It’s the perfect item your Spring and Summer wardrobe needs! I was lucky enough to test this pattern and it gets my stamp of approval! I have already made 3 of the 5 options and I love each one of them!

The Caprice Skirt is the Feature Friday pattern Friday, May 2, 2025 for the very first time!! It’s just $6! You can use my code LOVEMARY10LN for an extra 10% off.

View C
View A
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A Clef Coat For Summer Fun

…A Mini Tutorial Blog Post

Today, 2/13/26 isn’t a bad luck day, it’s actually a lucky day because the $6 Friday Pattern is actually 3 patterns! The whole Clef Coat Collection is on sale today, each one just $6 a piece. If you purchase 2 or 3 of the Clef Coat pattern you can get an additional 10% off by using my code 10MACSEWS. This means the Ladies Clef Coat, the Mens Bass Clef CoatAND the Kids Treble Clef Coat are all on sale.

When I tested the Clef Coat and made a few versions back in January, in the back of my mind, I knew it would be perfect for a Summer vacation coat! We spend a lot of time on the New England Coast where jackets are always needed in the evenings and when out on the water.

I purchased this madras patchwork fabric at the end of last summer from Cali Fabrics. At the time, I didn’t know what I would make with it. But, once I made my first Clef Coat a few months ago~ I knew it would be perfect for a Summer Clef Coat. I decided to really get a lot of use out of this coat that I would line it. I used a knit Loop French Terry from Raspberry Creek Fabrics to line my newest Clef. It was much easier to do than you might think!

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Sew A Vacation Wardrobe With Love Notions & Mary Mac

…Spring 2024 40% Off Sale

This week, April 29 – May 3, 2024, all Love Notions patterns and courses(excluding the Crescendo Jeans) 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! You can use my code 10LOVEMARY which will give you an additional 10% off the sale prices.

Which Patterns Should You Buy?

Need help deciding which patterns to grab during this sale? First, I recommend buying the recent new releases (except Crescendo Jeans) such as the Encore Skirt, Clef Coat ( Bass and Treble Clefs too), and the Aurora Tunic and dress. These patterns may have released during the Winter months, however they all work perfectly for Summer too!

This is also a great time to pick up any of the recent $5 Feature Friday patterns that you may have missed. Patterns are only featured for $5 once a year, so if you missed one~ now is the time to grab it! The Willow Wrap Dress, Vivace, Aria Button Down and Tinley were all recently featured and are so perfect for Summer!

I’m so excited for Summer to get here, and I’ve just about finished all the sewing for my vacations. My husband and I tend to stay home during the winter months (he’s a New Englander and loves the cold). When June comes I am ready to visit my favorite summer spots!

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Get Ready For Summer With A Closet Full Of Tinleys

…Fabric Choices For the Love Notions Tinley Skirt & Skort

  • Updated with new Tinley photos July 2024

Last August (2023) the Tinley Skort, Shorts and Skirt was released. I was days away from my 2 week vacation in Coastal Maine, but I quickly sewed one up and packed it to go. I can’t tell you how much I wore it! I wore it so much that when planning my summer/vacation wardrobe I sewed up a few new ones!

The Tinley is on sale today, Friday 5/16/2025 for just $6! Remember to use my new code LOVEMARY10LN for an additional 10% off.

*This blog post is all about the fabric choices I made for my straight skirt/skort version of the Tinley. If you want all the details on the Tinley be sure to visit this blog post. There you will find all the pattern details, how I adjusted it to fit my petite pear shape, the modifications I made and a few sewing tips too!

The Tinley can be made from both knit or woven fabrics. If you have a knit in your stash that doesn’t have enough stretch for your other patterns, this is the perfect pattern to use. (As I typed this last sentence I was reminded of a gray French Terry in my stash that I haven’t used yet for exactly that reason! I think it’s destined to be a Tinley!)

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Four New Arias For Spring

…Adding to My Coastal Preppy Wardrobe with the Love Notions Aria

The Aria Button Down is on sale today, Friday 4/4/2025 for just $6! If you purchase the Aria on-demand course for $25 today, you get the pattern for free. My code LOVEMARY10LN, can be used if purchasing the course or just the pattern. The course is regularly $30.

A classic button down is always a staple in any coastal preppy wardrobe. Worn open over a tee is such a classic coastal thing to do! It can also be worn under a cardigan or blazer. In the NorthEast by the coast, our mornings and evenings are often cool. Long sleeve shirts are really worn year round! I wear mine all Spring and Summer! When the weather gets hot I simply roll up my sleevesI My linen and seersucker Arias are some of my most worn! Want to read more about my “Coastal Preppy Wardrobe” and which Love Notions patterns I use to create it? Check out this blog post!

Nervous about sewing a button down shirt? No need to be! There is an awesome sewing course you can purchase that holds your hand every step of the way. Detailed information on the course can be found below. I have personally viewed the entire course and must say it is amazing!

These are the four new Arias button downs that I added to my closet these past 2 weeks. When I have several garments from the same pattern planned, I often batch cut, batch prep and batch sew.

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