Fabric

Sew a Coastal Preppy Wardrobe for Fall with Sew Mary Mac

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.

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One Presto Pattern…Four Fabrics

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!

My newest addition to my Presto Tunic collection.
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Focus On Fabrics: Linen

Linen, sand and saltwater- just make me think of summer by the seashore!  Linen is by far my favorite fabric to sew and wear in the summer(and all other times too!)

In honor of the $5 Feature Friday pattern sale over at Love Notions Patterns, I decided to share some of my thoughts on sewing with linen. If there is one $5 Friday pattern you don’t want to miss it’s todays(6/16/23). The Aria is a classic button-down that is always a staple in any wardrobe~ especially my coastal preppy wardrobe.

Nervous about sewing a button down? No need to be! There is an awesome Aria on-demand sewing course that holds your hand every step of the way! The course is $25, but today if you purchase the course you get the Aria pattern for free! Just add the course to your shopping cart first and click the box for your free Aria pattern. Remember to use my code MARYSEWS10 course or pattern.

Aria Dress in 100% linen
Aria in Linen/Rayon Blend
Aria in 100% linen
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So Many Ways to Love the Juliet

…A new release from Love Notions Pattern

Be prepared to fall in love with Juliet! The newest pattern from Love Notions is THE perfect top for the summer! I was so excited to test this pattern and I’m sew excited for all of my readers to sew one up! The second I put on my first test version…it got the Sew Mary Mac stamp of approval! (And yes, I have made a total of 8 versions with another one cut out already!)

The Juliet Top is the $6 Feature Friday pattern today 6/20/25 for the FIRST TIME !!! Remember to use code LOVEMARY10LN for an additional 10% off!

The Details

The Juliet Top is another “not-so-basic” basic that is a great addition to any closet. This cute flowy top is such a quick and fun sew, I highly recommend cutting 2 at a time and batch sewing them! On top of that, it’s beginner friendly! This is such a versatile top, wear it alone or use it for layering!

Features

  • Yoke Options: Plain, Faux Placket, Pintucked
  • 4 Sleeve Options: Sleeveless, Short, Flutter and Long
  • Beginner Friendly, especially the plain yoke version
  • Color Blocking Friendly! Get Creative!
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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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