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.
Love Notions is starting the new year off with a bang!!! The Clef Coat is that pattern that you didn’t know you needed. I was lucky enough to test this pattern, and believe me I am a BIG fan of this one! This pattern is so versatile depending on your fabric choice.
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.
It’s hard to believe that with a closet FULL of Love Notions Constellations, that I’ve never written a blog post about them! 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!
All 3 Pullovers- the Ladies Constellation, Men’s North Star and Kids Navigator are just $6 Friday, 12/19/2025. Remember to use my code 10MACSEWS45 for an extra 10% off.
Quilted KnitCotton French Terry/RCFSPF50 Swim Knit/RCFSweatshirt Fleece/RCF
Above you can see my Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall versions! Four different fabric bases perfect for four different seasons! As you can see, my favorite version is the collared version with the curved hem.
30% off ALL Love Notions Patterns and Courses All Week!
Happy New Year! What better way to kick off the new year than with a sale of our favorite patterns?!? Now is the time to treat yourself to a few new LN patterns that you’ve wanted for awhile. Just in case you need a little help~ here are my favorite Love Notions patterns for winter sewing. The sale runs from Monday 1/8/2023 through Friday 1/12/2023. Sale includes all pattern except the newest release (the Encore Skirt) and courses. Remember to use my code 10MARYMAC for an additional 10% off.
So how many encores are too many? In the case of Love Notions’s Encore Skirt pattern, the answer to that question would be~ there could never be too many!
Back in 2023, I didn’t test this pattern, but I did get my hands on a copy of it and was able to sew up 2 different versions of this new skirt. As a person who doesn’t wear skirts very often (I usually prefer dresses), I have to admit I really like this one!!
The Encore Skirt is the Feature Friday pattern and is available today, 10/31/2025 for just $6. You can get an additional 10% off by using my code 10MACSEWS.
There is nothing more classic than a preppy polo shirt here in the Northeast. Love Notions has taken that classic polo shirt and updated it for a new modern look! The Frankie Polo shirt and dress is the perfect addition to a classic wardrobe!
Tha Frankie Polo is the Feature Friday pattern, 7/4/25. You can grab this today for just $6. If you use the code 10MARYMAC you will get an additional 10% off.
I was lucky to test the Frankie and I’m so happy I did! It’s the perfect addition to my Fall wardrobe and I can see myself making several more. It will be perfect for layering with vests and sweaters this Fall and Winter. Come spring, I can’t wait to sew up a few short sleeved versions. I think my favorite thing about the Frankie is the option of a woven collar and placket. All those adored scraps of fabric I’ve been holding on to~ can now be used up in my Frankies!
Update 7/3/2025: My Frankie Plans For Summer
This summer I have so many sewing plans, but one of them on my list is a short sleeve Frankie made from a solid color knit with a woven collar and placket. Simply dive into your scrap bin to find something perfect! I have these old shirts (that haven’t fit for years) that I have been holding on to because I LOVE the fabric. My plan is to cut them up and use them for the collar and placket on a new Frankie! I think they will be soooo cute!!
Need a few more basics in your closet this Fall? The Breckenridge Henley is a great top for layering or all by itself.
The Breckenridge is the Love Notions $5 Feature Friday pattern today, 10/20/23. Be sure to grab yours! Remember to use my code LOVEMARY10 for an additional 10% off. As a Love Notions Ambassador, I always try to sew up the Feature Friday pattern if I haven’t made one before. Keep reading to learn more about mine! Scroll even further to see the vest hack I made!!!
New Release from Love Notions for Men (and the Sideline for Boys too!)
The Tailgate Sweatshirt and Hoodie has just been released along with the Sideline Sweatshirt for Boys. I wasn’t an official tester for this pattern, but as a Love Notions Ambassador I did get an advanced copy of the pattern. So I decided to quickly sew up a Tailgate for my husband (who sadly doesn’t get many me-mades). I was promptly “”informed” at I need to sew a few more of these. I guess that means I “need” to go fabric shopping!!
The Tailgate and Sideline will both be on release pricing until Monday, 10/23/2023. The Tailgate is just $9.50 and the Sideline is just $7.50. Remember to use my code LOVEMARY10 for an additional 10% off.
View A Baby French TerryView A- Long Sleeve with Cuff Rib Knit from Stylemaker FabricsView D Hack Sweater Knit- Mily Mae Fabrics
The Details
The Rockford Raglan is the perfect beginner pattern! It’s also a quick and satisfying sew for any sewist! It’s one of my most used patterns and I love how it can be so versatile!
The Rockford Raglan features 3 different versions. View A and B are fitted at the bust and flowy through the waist and hips. View C (which I have yet to make) has a slimmer fit and an asymmetrical hem. View D has a straighter boxier fit with a banded hem.
There are three sleeve options: short, 3/4 sleeve and long sleeves- with or without cuffs. There are two lengths included as well, top or tunic.
Love Notions 40% off ALL Patterns and Courses this week 10/2-10/6
This week, October 2-6, 2023, all Love Notions patterns and 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! You can use my code LOVEMARY10 which will give you an additional 10% off the sale prices. I will also be giving away one Love Notions pattern to one of my blog readers. Make sure you read to the end to learn how you can enter! (GIVEAWAY ENDED)
The “Coastal Grandma” aesthetic has been getting a lot of attention the past year or so. This is mainly due to a TikTok trend. But, where I live (and where my family is from) ~ it’s been around for a long time and it’s always how we dress!
For the Spring Sale last May, I wrote up a blog post on this trend and talked about how I created a “Coastal Preppy” wardrobe with Love Notions patterns. For this Fall sale, I decided to share how I was going to be using Love Notions pattern for my Fall Coastal Preppy wardrobe. I had hoped to have more garments sewn up to show, but in September we are away quite a bit. Living by the coast, it’s always the best time to enjoy the some of our favorite places that are often very crowded in the Summer months. (Block Island always calls to me in September). So, in this blog post you’ll get to see a few older makes along with a few new makes and some pattern/fabric match-ups that I’ve picked out.
The Love Notions Presto Tunic gets a sizing update!
In honor of the Presto Tunic rereleasing in updated sizing, I’ve sewn up a new version that I’m so excited to share! The Presto Tunic is the $5 Feature Friday pattern today, 9/15/23 and stays $5 all weekend! The Presto is now available in sizes XS-5X. How exciting is that!
The Presto Tunic is designed for woven fabrics such as linen, chambray, rayon, flannel, shirting, lawn and poplin. Remember different fabrics sewn up in the same pattern can produce very different results. I’ve decided to share with you 4 of my Presto Tunics, each sewn up in a different fabric to show you just how different one pattern can look!
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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