Fabric

Let’s Go Back to the 80’s!

…How to Keep your Sleeve Caps Puffy…A Mini Tutorial Blog Post

A few weeks ago, I posted this Tossed Daisy print top I made for Raspberry Creek Fabrics Patriotic fabric release. So many of you loved my puff sleeves and asked “how did you get them stay so puffy?”. Well, as promised, I’m here to share my little secret. This is something we used to do back in the 80’s~ don’t worry, it’s NOT shoulder pads!

First, the details on the actual top pattern. This is a mashup of the three following Love Notions patterns.

  • Classic Tee- main body
  • La Bella Donna top- neckline and hemline
  • Arlington Sweater- Sleeve

For complete details on how I created the “Classic Bella or Bella Classic” as I call it, visit this blog post.

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A Truly “Terra-fic” Pattern for Spring

…A Mini Pattern Hack Blog Post

So exactly what makes the Terra Tunic from Love Notions such a terrific pattern? Why do you need to add the Terra Tunic to your pattern collection? Keep reading to find out!!

The Terra Tunic is the $5 Feature Friday pattern for Friday 3/10/23.  So if you don’t own it, I highly suggest you grab it today! You can purchase the Terra Tunic HERE, and make sure to use my code SEWMARY10 for an additional 10% off.

Simply put…

  • This pattern is soooo versatile. It can be casual or work appropriate depending on fabrics and options chosen. Most of mine are casual~ I’m a retired teacher!
  • So many options: 6 neckline variations (and they are all awesome!), 4 sleeve lengths, elbow patches and welt pockets. My favorite sleeve length is the 3/4 sleeve.
  • Can be worn year round! (It even makes a great beach coverup come summer!)
  • The Terra is also a very “hackable” pattern.
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Sewing Up Swim With Raspberry Creek Fabrics

…The New 2023 Swim Collection

DISCLAIMER: If you’re expecting to see cute swimsuits sewn up in beautiful Raspberry Creek Fabric swim fabrics- you won’t find them here.  BUT– you will see some other ways you can use this awesome swim fabric from RCF! Hopefully my blog post today will inspire you to grab some of these awesome swim fabrics and make something other than a swimsuit! Because we all know swim fabric isn’t just for bathing suits anymore!!! The fact that Raspberry Creek Swim fabric is UPF 50+ makes it great for any day/activity out in the sun.

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Perfect For Spring ~ A Rhapsody Ruffle Sleeve

Edited 4/22/25 with updated photos

The Rhapsody is the $6 Feature Friday pattern at Love Notions on Friday, April 25, 2025. Be sure to use my code LOVEMARY10LN for an additional 10% off.

…A Mini Pattern Hack Blog Post

This is a mini blog post on how to create a Bishop sleeve with a ruffle cuff. For more detailed information of the Love Notions Rhapsody Blouse visit this blog post.

With the anticipation of Spring’s arrival, I am always anxious to add a few new Rhapsody Blouses to my closet. Add in new rayon challis prints available from Raspberry Creek Fabrics ~ and I am ready to get sewing.

I made a ton of cap sleeve Rhapsody Blouses last summer as my everyday tops. They were perfect for hot and humid weather, and looked so much cuter than a basic t-Shirt. When Fall came around, and we still had a few get aways planned- I decided to add a long sleeved Rhapsody to my travel wardrobe. I wanted something romantic and soft with full arm coverage. So came up with what I’m calling a Bishop Ruffle cuff sleeve! It’s a really simple hack that you could use on any long sleeve Bishop sleeve.

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It’s Sloane Season Again!

…A Pattern Hack Blog Post

Every Autumn I am always excited to add a few new Love Notions Sloanes to my wardrobe. I’ll be honest, I already have about 50!!! Yes, I have been called the “Sloane Queen”. Since the Sloane Sweater is the Feature Friday $5 pattern this week, there is no better time to grab this versatile pattern! ($5 sale is over, but you can always purchase it with 10% off using my code listed at the end of this post.)

Last Fall I hacked the Sloane to have a funnel neck and I found I wore that version all winter! Then Spring came and I hacked the Sloane again to have a split hem. So naturally I decided to combine both of these hacks into one awesome sweater! I know this is going to get worn a lot this Winter!

If I’m being honest here, I typically don’t find apparel fabric that I love at Joann Fabrics. But, a few weeks ago I spotted this ribbed sweater knit that I really liked! Then it went on sale 40% off and I had an additional 20% off coupon~ so it came home with me!

This blog post is going to be short and simple with directions on completing the funnel neck and split hem hacks, If you want more details about the Sloane such as sizing and alterations that I make to fit me, visit this blog post HERE. This post also includes a ton of information on the different options , fabric types to use and ways to color block this pattern. It’s worth a visit~ there is a ton of detailed information there.

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One Can Never Have Too Many Boyfriends…..Cardigans That Is!!

Updated: Jan 2026

I love the month of September. Where I live the crowds leave the beaches and it becomes what we call “local summer”. The days are warm enough to spend at the beach and in the ocean, but the nights turn cool and breezy. September is when I look forward to pulling out my cardigans! One of my most loved cardigans is the Boyfriend Cardigan from Love Notions.

The Boyfriend Cardigan is also a great layering piece for Winter too! I love wearing my heavier Boyfriends when the weather get really chilly.

What better way to keep warm than to sew up a Boyfriend Cardigan ! The Boyfriend Cardigan pattern for just $6 today, 1/23/26. (The Girl’s Boyfriend is also just $6 today!).

Back in 2022 these were “My Three Favorite Boyfriends”
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Sprinting Into Summer-with the Love Notions Sprint Muscle Shirt

I might be biased, but I think my little great nephew is just the coolest showing off his muscles in his first Sprint Muscle Shirt. Want to keep your kids(grandkids) cool and comfortable all summer? ~~ then sprint over to Love Notions today and grab your Sprint Muscle Shirt for just $5! (Sale is 7/8/22 only)

Real life photos here. I stopped over to try this first Sprint on him to check for size. The only way we could get his to pose for a photo was asking to see his muscles!
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Sew Mary Mac Sews Miss Mary Mack

EDITED 6/23/23: This Miss Mary Mack Top and Tunic pattern is on sale today for just $5 along with the Cartwheel Collection and Prisma Dress. Grab all three for just $15! Don’t forget to use my code MACSEWS10 for an extra 10% off.

Does this title confuse you? Can you say that five times fast? Regardless~ one thing you shouldn’t be confused about is whether or not you need the Miss Mary Mack Tunic pattern in your library. If you want my opinion, that is a definite YES!

Little Vivi Lou (my little grand niece) is turning one in less than a week~ and that means that it was time for Aunt Mary to sew up some more cute clothes. I was so excited to sew up a whole bunch of Miss Mary Mack tunics for her! It is such an adorable and timeless style!

The Miss Mary Mack is just $5 today as one of the Love Notions Feature Friday patterns. Keep reading to learn about 2 others that are $5 today too!! (SALE IS NOW OVER) Even if you don’t have any little ones to sew for, this is a great pattern to have on hand. You never know when you might need it. Read my tips below for another idea for this timeless tunic!

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The Ballad Blouse and Block Fusing

…A LOVE NOTIONS PATTERN REVIEW

Edited 2/14/25: The Ballad is the $5 Feature Friday pattern today only! Use code MARYMAC10 for an extra 10% off.

I wrote this blog post IN 2022, and I still love this blouse. The Ballad is perfect for Spring with the long or short sleeve versions.! I have created a short puffed sleeve with an added ruffle. You can read all about how to do that on this blog post HERE.

Today I wanted to share with you my newest Love Notions sew~ the Ballad Blouse! Along with a detailed review of the Ballad Blouse, I also wanted to discuss in detail my top tips for sewing this blouse! Keep reading to learn more!

This is such a perfect blouse for summer. Sewn in the right fabric it will keep you looking cool and comfortable all summer no matter how hot it gets where you live!

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Rhapsody In Blue….

and plum and cream and florals and so on and so on……

Edited 4/2025 to include updated photos.

The Rhapsody is the $6 Feature Friday pattern on Friday, April 25, 2025. Be sure to use my code LOVEMARY10LN for an extra 10% off.

If you haven’t made a Rhapsody blouse…what are you waiting for? Don’t be like me and miss out on this awesome pattern any longer. Can you believe that I had never made one until just a few weeks ago. Fast forward to today~ and I now have 5!! Fast forward to 2025 and I think I have about 20 now!!!

I LOVE this pattern! My go to woven top pattern used to be the Harmony, and although I still love my Harmonys~ the Rhapsody has moved to the top! I find it so amazing that one blouse(and dress)pattern can create so many totally different blouses! A casual top to wear with jeans, a dressier blouse to wear to work, or a boho blouse to wear with linen pants~ the Rhapsody can do it all!

I HIGHLY recommend grabbing this week’s Love Notions Feature Friday pattern today (4/17/24) for $6. You will not be disappointed!

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