Sewing

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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Fitting The New Fraser Cardigan

The New Fraser Cardigan from Love Notions is here! Buy the pattern now and sew up your own in time for the new season of Outlander coming on March 6! Be sure to scroll to the end for the pattern link and an extra discount coupon from me! The pattern is on sale for just $5 today 2/28/25.

I will be totally honest here, I have never worn a Cocoon style cardigan before. I always felt like they never fit me correctly and always looked a tad frumpy on me. This is what I love about being a Love Notions Ambassador, when testing new patterns, I am often pushed out of my comfort zone when it comes to styles. And I will also admit that I NEEDED to test this pattern since my family tree includes MacKenzies and Frasers(all you Outlander fans will understand that!)

Rather than just simply review this new pattern and give you all the details, I figured I would pass on my fitting tips for this cardigan. I hope you find them helpful, especially if you’re a “petite pear” like me!

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The LBD Laundry Day Tee Dress

(The Little Black Dress Laundry Day Tee Dress)

Make sure you read to the end to find a coupon code!

LDT dress with a Boyfriend Cardigan- a PERFECT combination!

I think most of my followers know that I LOVE the Laundry Day Tee Dress from Love Notions! If you didn’t know that, I suggest you click HERE and read all about my love of the LDT dress.

This past Spring and Summer I basically lived in my LDT dresses. Partly because they are so comfortable and partly because I’m dealing with some post COVID fluffiness. As the temperature started to drop and leaves started to change I realized I needed a Fall LDT dress.

So, I shopped my stash and came across a beautiful heavy weight black rib knit that I had purchased from Boho Fabrics last year. I thought to myself, “What if I make a solid black Laundry Day Tee dress?!” And the rest is history!!

The LDT became my LBD! Never could I have ever realized that this one dress would get worn as much as it already has been!

To make this the perfect Fall dress, I made my first 3/4 sleeve version. I did slim the sleeve just a tad so it wouldn’t get pushed up when wearing it under a jacket or cardigan. Other than that one change, I made it exactly the same as all my other LDT dresses. (For fitting and fabric tips, see my original LDT Blog Post HERE.)

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Holiday Blog Tour with Raspberry Creek Fabrics

I was so excited to be asked to join in on this Blog Tour for Raspberry Creek Fabrics! As some of you may know, previously I was a Strike-Off sewist and member of their Blog Promo team. When they approached me about being part of this Holiday Tour, I couldn’t say no!

My challenge was to create Holiday Pajamas with any fabric that Raspberry Creek Fabrics has to offer.

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My Top 5 Love Notions Patterns

In honor of the 40% site wide sale over at Love Notions this week- I decided to give you a run down of the 5 Love Notions that I use the most! These are the patterns I use over and over again to create my wardrobe.

Make sure you read to the very end of this blog post for some really exciting news!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. Sloane Sweater

What I love about this pattern:

  • The versatility of this pattern is never ending!
  • Amazing options to choose from: hood, pockets, yoke, elbow patches, 2 body styles
  • Hackability: the Sloane is so easy and fun to hack.
  • Easy to achieve a good fit- it makes a great pattern to use for gifts

Click HERE to see my blog post all about my Sloanes. You can read about several hacks and RTW copycats that I have created. All the Sloanes below are made from sweater knit and are the ones I am wearing most this Fall. My blog post features Sloanes made with French Terry and other fabrics.

Hood option in sweater knit
Funnel Collar Hack
Basic Crew neck in sweater knit
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The Arlington~ The Perfect Transitional Sweater & More!

A Favorite in the Love Notions Family!

The Arlington Sweater is the $6 Feature Friday Pattern today, 10/17/2025. It is such a great pattern for the transitional weather most of us are having right now. Be sure to use my code 10MACSEWS for an additional 10% off.

As a Love Notions Ambassador, I was able to get my hands on this pattern before it was released. Let me tell you – it’s a pretty awesome pattern–one that so many have been asking for over and over! It is such a classic with enough options that take it from a basic turtleneck to something extra special!

THE DETAILS

The Arlington includes 3 body styles: shirt length, banded shirt and dress length. There are 3 necklines to choose from: Turtleneck, mock neck and cowl. It also has 5, yes 5 sleeve options: Long, Elbow, Short Puffed, Long Puffed and Bishop. With all these options there are so many different combinations you can make with just this one pattern! Talk about bang for your buck!

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Sloane Season Is Here!

…….The Perfect Basic Sweater from Love Notions

NOTE: The Sloane Sweater is the $6 Feature Friday pattern at Love Notions today 11/14/2025. Be sure to use my code 10MACSEWS for an additional 10% off. The Sloane Sweater for Girls is also just $6 today!

GET READY FOR FALL WITH THE LOVE NOTIONS SLOANE SWEATER

Every fall I can’t wait to make a few new Love Notions Sloane Sweaters. Why should you want some Sloanes? Well, it’s a fast sew, beginner friendly, cute, flattering, and the options are endless, need I go on? Oh yeah, and it is such a fun pattern to hack! Did you know I’ve been called the “Sloane Queen”? Well believe me, I’m not the only one that loves this pattern- and soon I’m sure you’re going to love it too!

View A- Crew Neck
Sweater Knit- Olga’s Closet
View B
French Terry-RCF
Worn with RTW Vest
View A with hood
Sweater Knit- Mily Mae Fabrics
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A Sundress for Summer….the Tempo Sundress from Love Notions

New for 2024..An add on Puff Sleeve!!!

As a Love Notions Brand Ambassador, I had the privilege of testing the new sundress, the TEMPO!

Edited: Scroll down to see my newest version of the Tempo and details for my wider ruffled strap 🙂

Edited June 24, 2021: Exciting news! The Tempo is now available in kids sizing!!!!

The Tempo Sundress now has a free add on for a Puff Sleeve! Just look how pretty that is!! (It’s available on the girls pattern as well!). How adorable does this look on Tami (the owner and designer behind Love Notions) look in this Tempo!

Today, May 31, 2024 the Temop (Ladies and Girls) is on sale for $5. Remember to use my code 10LOVEMARY for an extra 10% off.

Rayon Challis- Raspberry Creek Fabrics

I don’t own anything like this. To be honest, it was totally out of my comfort zone. I made my first fit test dress, and I wasn’t sure I even wanted to continue and make the final garment! After Tami addressed the few fitting issues that most of the testers had- I thought why not? I am so glad I made a final version!!!

One of the great things about Love Notions patterns is that testers of all sizes are part of the testing team. Fitting issues for ALL sizes are taken into consideration. When buying and making a LN pattern you can be assured that someone close to your shape/size has made this.

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