Sewing

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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A Good Melody Is Never Out Of Fashion

Someone once said “Sometimes all you need is music if you want to feel better.” I believe that all you need is a Melody if you want to feel better. Are you in a sewing funk, lost your sewjo, can’t decide what to make next? The Melody is the perfect pattern to get you going again. Because we all know that “A good melody is never out of fashion”.

The Melody is the $6 Feature Friday pattern today, 8/8/25. If you don’t have it~ be sure to grab it! Remember to use my code 10MARYMAC for an extra 10% off.

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The Cadence Got Updated~ My Mindset Did Too!

The Love Notions Cadence just got an update a couple years ago,~ and to my surprise my mindset got an update as well! I’m going to be totally honest here. I planned to make this a post simply about the updated Cadence, its options and how I made it to fit my pear shape. I made a top version and then a knee length dress. I was happy with them both. Then I went outside with my trusty tripod and took photos. And that’s when it hit me. Everything I thought before about fitting my body changed. Be sure to read down to the Sizing and Alterations section to learn what I discovered!

Oh yeah, and the Cadence is only $6 today, Friday 7/25/2025. Seriously go grab it~ you won’t be disappointed. This breezy shift style dress deserves a place in everyone’s closet! Remember to use my code 10MARYMAC for an additional 10% off.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck~ Love Notions Spring Sale

Edited to Note: 2024 Spring sale begins Monday 4/29/2024. There will be a new blog post for the 2024.

In honor of the 40% off site wide sale at Love Notions this week, May2-6, 2022~ I decided to put together a list of patterns that I think give you the most bang for your buck! Not sure which patterns to add to your collection? Well, keep reading to see why these 5 patterns are a great bargain!

*****GIVEAWAY CLOSED******

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Aria + Linen = Summer Perfection

EDIT: The Aria is on sale today 4/4/2025 for just $6. You may use my code LOVEMARY10LN for an additional 10% off.

Have you heard? Love Notions has released a new blouse pattern, the Aria Button-down, and it’s LOVE! I received the pattern a few days ahead of it’s release (as a Love Notions Ambassador) and I’ve already sewn up 3 versions in my favorite fabric for summer ~ LINEN and I’m not done! (I also made a muslin which turned out to be totally wearable!)

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Love Notions Game Day Jersey~ Not Just For Game Day!

The Game Day Jersey is the perfect pattern to make your own “team” jerseys, but this pattern is so much more!! I honestly didn’t think I needed this pattern. Last year when I became a Love Notions Ambassador, each ambassador sewed one up to show we were all a part of the Love Notions team. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I actually enjoyed wearing this!

Some day I will find just the right fabric to make a “real” team jersey (Go Bruins!), but in the meantime I will be making a few more non-team versions for my closet. Keep reading to see how easy it is to create a “non-jersey” top with this versatile 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!

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Sunday Romper~ The Romper Everyone Can Wear

*Updated with new photos June 2024/2025

Back in 2020, I did my first pattern test for Love Notions. It was the Sunday Romper. At that time, I made the dress version~ because I “knew” I would look terrible in a romper! My thoughts were: “I’m too old to wear a romper”, “I’m too short to wear a romper”, “Pear shapes can’t wear rompers” and the excuses went on.

Fast forward to 2022and 2024 and well~ you guessed it~ At 60 + years old, this “petite pear” made herself a romper and she LOVES it!

Regardless of your age, size, shape or height~ we all deserve some secret pajamas! The SUNDAY ROMPER belongs in EVERYONE’s closet! Today, 8/22/25 it’s on sale for just $6! Use my code 10MARYMAC for an additional 10% off.

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Magical Metra Blazer ~ From Love Notions

NOW AVAILABLE~ LOVE NOTIONS SEWING COURSE FOR THE METRA! (See below for all the details, also make sure to use my discount code 10MARYMAC for an additional 10% off)

UPDATE: To see my newest Metra Blazers, visit this new blog post. HERE

First off, I just need to say that I had so much fun sewing this pattern! I purchased the Metra Blazer pattern when it first released, had it printed at the copy shop and then it just sat in my sewing room. What I love about Feature Fridays, is that as an ambassador I often try to sew one up so I can post about it and I am SO happy I did! WHY oh why did I wait so long to sew this up!?!?!?!

So trust me, if you haven’t sewn one, you need to! I made my wearable muslin~ which I actually LOVE and suddenly I wished I had sewn this so long ago! If you think you aren’t the blazer type of person, I would give this a try. I NEVER wore blazers, even before I retired and I want a closet full of them now!

Details

The Metra is a simple casual blazer with two collar options. You can choose between the classic shawl collar and the modern wide lapel collar. It features in seam welt pockets that are much easier to construct than you might think! What I love most about this pattern are the great construction techniques that help you create an amazing, clean inside finish. I love when the inside of a garment is as pretty as the outside!

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Wrapping Up Winter~ in the Love Notions Whistler

If you’re looking for a great pullover pattern filled with options~ the Whistler just might be the pattern for you! I’ll be honest, I never thought it was really my style. Then last winter Tessa at Love Notions sent me the pattern and asked if I would sew one up for a promotion. And now~ it’s one of my favorite pullovers to wear!

You can grab yours TODAY only~ 1/31/25for just $5! Make sure you use my coupon code- MARYMAC10 for an additional 10% off!

Details

The Whistler sweater and hoodie is a loose fitting pullover with an interesting inset yoke. It can be made with a shawl collar (my favorite version) or a hood. The BEST detail about this sweater is the inset pockets. If you like to carry your phone around with you~ these pockets are the best!

The options are endless! There are three lengths to choose from: top, tunic and dress. You can also choose between a banded hem or a straight hem. At the inset you can opt for a flat or gathered front.(All my versions have the gathered front). This sweater requires 2 buttons( functional or not- I just sewed mine through all layers).

The skill level is listed as intermediate, but I think an advanced beginner could tackle this. The video links in the tutorial are excellent! This pattern looks a lot harder than it actually is! I found it to be a surprisingly quick, fun and satisfying sew!

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