The Bluegrass Shirt and Dress is HERE! Are you as excited as I am?!?!?! Well, let’s get real here. The Bluegrass was intended to be a western style shirt. A Western style shirt doesn’t call your name? Well, If you follow me, then you know that I’m not a western shirt kinda girl. BUT~ this new shirt is THE perfect princess seamed shirt and as you can clearly see~ my version is casual, coastal and classic!!
When I signed up to test this new pattern from Tami (designer of Love Notions Pattern) I honestly really wasn’t that excited about it. While I do love testing patterns, this wasn’t a typical style for me. I have never worn princess seams~ most likely because I have always been fuller busted. But I have to tell you~ having a princess seamed button-down that I can actually button-down is amazing!!! I LOVE the fit I was able to get with this pattern! This pattern is definitely worth a try~ even if it take some trial and error.
For this year’s Spring Sale, I decided to focus on the Love Notions makes that I reached for over and over again all last summer. Some of the makes I’m sharing in this blog post are ones I wore on repeat last summer while some of them were just made in anticipation of this sale and the arrival of summer. I hope I give you a bit of inspiration for your “Everyday Summer Sewing”. These are the things I am planning to wear every day all summer long…………….
DISCLAIMER: If you’re expecting to see cute swimsuits sewn up in beautiful Raspberry Creek Fabric swim fabrics- you won’t find them here. (ok~ maybe at the very end.) 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.
……..Some Simple Embellishment and Hack Ideas for the Love Notions Aria
The Aria Button Down is on sale today, Friday 4/4/2025 for just $6! If you purchase the Aria on-demand course for $25 today, you get the pattern for free. This is a great bargain as the course is regularly $30. My code LOVEMARY10LN, can be used if purchasing the course or just the pattern. This code will give you an additional 10% off. Yes, the Feature Friday patterns will now be $6 ~ I know it was a very hard decision for Tami and Tessa from Love Notions to make, but it was necessary. 🙂
I have a closet full of Aria button downs. It really is one of my favorite patterns to sew and wear. Almost all of them are long sleeved. Last summer, I realized that I wore my blue striped linen short sleeved Aria constantly. It went on EVERY vacation and getaway we went on. So~ when planning my Spring and Summer makes, I knew I needed a few more short sleeved versions.
The Aria is such a good classic shirt to have in your wardrobe, put it can also be played with to create some really custom looks! When I am out and about, I am always taking note of the classic shirts I see in all the boutiques. So many of them are simply a basic button down shirt with a little twist. Here are just a few ideas I tried.
I was so excited to test this new pattern from Love Notions and I can’t wait to share my versions with you! I’ve made 3 versions of the Evanston Vest I’m finishing a 4th one over the weekend) and I have more planned. I really LOVE this pattern and I’m sure you will love this pattern too!
The Evanston Vest is on sale today, Friday 1/10/25 through Thursday 1/16/25 for just $9.50. With the purchase of this pattern you will also get the free “Tool Kit” (if you haven’t already). You may use the code MARYMAC10 to get an extra 10% off.
The new Evanston Vest will be such a versatile addition to your closet! The possibilities are truly endless. Whatever your personal style is~ you’ll be able to make a vest you’ll love! But believe me you won’t make just one!
Happy New Year! What better way to kick off the new year than with a sale of our favorite patterns?!? Now is a great time to treat yourself to those LN patterns that you’ve wanted for awhile. Just in case you need a little help~ I’m here to help!
Love Notions is starting the New Year off with a BANG! The first $5 Friday Pattern is actually 3 patterns! The whole Clef Coat Collection is on sale today, each one just $5 a piece. Remember to use my new code MARYMAC10 for an extra 10% off. This means the Ladies Clef Coat, the Mens Bass Clef Coat AND the Kids Treble Clef Coat are all on sale. This pattern released in January 2024 so this is the very first time it is being offered for just $5.
I am truly a BIG fan of this pattern, hence why I now have made 6 of them~ plus 2 for my husband! Wow 8 total!! This is such a classic coat that can look entirely different depending upon the fabric you choose. Plus It’s so much easier to sew than you may think!
I’m SO excited to share my newest make from Love Notions~ the Pianoforte Jumper!! I was lucky to test this pattern and now I’m going to convince you that you NEED to make one too! I never thought I’d be 63 and wearing a jumper~ and loving it!! This is such a fun sew and I absolutely LOVE the pockets and their construction. It really was so much fun to sew!
The Pianoforte Jumper is on sale today 10/3/25 for just $6. This is the first time this pattern has been featured at this price!! You can use my code 10MACSEWS for an additional 10% off.
If you’re here on my blog today~ then you must have heard that Love Notions is having a site-wide sale this week, 11/28-12/5 , 2025. All patterns and courses are 40% off!(Printed patterns are 25% off) Not sure which patterns to add to your collection? To help you out I’ve put together a list of the 5 patterns that I’m sewing this Fall.BUT WAIT! If you use my code 10MACSEWS45 you’ll get 45% off your entire purchase!!!You MUST enter a code at checkout to get the sale prices. All patterns(digital and print @ 25% off)) and courses are included in this sale except the newly released Opus Vest.
But Wait~ There’s More!!!!!!!!!
Every purchase made during this sale using a code will allow you to get the Sewing Tool Kit PDF (print yourself at home). The Sewing Tool Kit is full of lots of helpful sewing tips guaranteed to bring your makes up a notch! But that’s not all~ for the first time EVER making a purchase (and using a sale code) will also get you the complete LOOK BOOK PDF (print at home yourself).
There are 2 ways to get this free Tool kit.
Use my 45% off code (10MACSEWS45) to get 45% off the order and I will send you the tool kit for free. Simply send me your order number and along with your email and I will send the PDF to your email.
Use Love Notions code SewThankful for just 40% off your order and you will get the Tool Kit added to your Love Notions account automatically. If you choose this method, please consider using my affiliate link so I will get credit for the sale. Purchase your patterns from this link.
Use code 10MACSEWS45 for 45% off your pattern order AND to receive the Sewing Tool Kit & Love Notions LOOK BOOK simply send my your order number and email and I will send you the PDF directly to your email!
Which Patterns Should You Grab?
Need help deciding which patterns to grab during this sale? First, I recommend buying the recent new releases that you didn’t buy during the release sale. Patterns typically don’t become a $6 pattern until one year after they have released. Patterns such as the Caprice Skirt, Timbre Top and Dress, Chorus Top and Dress are good ones to buy. These patterns may have released during the Spring and Summer months, however they will work perfectly for Fall too!
This is also a great time to pick up any of the recent $6 Feature Friday patterns that you may have missed. Patterns are only featured for $6 once a year, so if you missed one~ now is the time to grab it!
I was so honored to be asked to participate in Style Maker Fabrics Fall Inspiration Tour!!! Since I LOVE Style Maker Fabrics AND Love Notions patterns, I thought it would be a perfect time to combine them to create a perfect Fall ensemble.
A Little About Style Maker Fabric
Style Maker Fabrics is one of my go-to fabric shops. I’ve been a loyal customer since 2018. If I had to pick ONE reason I love Style Maker Fabrics it would be the quality! This small family owned business goes above and beyond to make sure ALL the fabrics they sell are top quality.
To me, buying fabric and sewing are two completely separate hobbies. I LOVE fabric, always have always will. I often buy fabric just because it’s pretty and I like it~ with no intended purpose. It often winds up in my stash and eventually will get used. BUT~ my purchases from Style Maker are very different. This is the shop I go to when I’m looking for something for a specific project. Whether it’s a new Oakley Vest and Aria Shirt combination, or a “Faux Dress” and vest, I can always find exactly what I want at Style Maker. You can purchase samples for a small fee, or even ask them for actual photos of two fabrics together if you’re unsure.
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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