Sewing

Create a Coastal Preppy Wardrobe with Me and Love Notions Patterns

…Spring 2023 Love Notions 40% off sale

This week, May 1-5, 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 10LOVEMARY 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!

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 this year’s Spring Sale, I thought I would put my own spin on this trend and talk about creating a “Coastal Preppy” wardrobe with Love Notions patterns.

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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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Patiently Waiting In The Willow Wrap Dress

Spring is officially here~ now someone needs to tell the weather that! Here on the Northeast Coast the weather has been so fickle. Regardless, I’m sewing for warmer weather! My first official sew of Spring is a brand new pattern for me! I can not believe I waited so long to make the Willow Wrap Dress from Love Notions!!

What better way to celebrate Spring than with an amazing dress for the $6 Feature Friday Pattern! Today, 6/13/25 you can grab the Willow Wrap Dress for just $6. Use my code LOVEMARY10LN for an extra 10% off.

If you don’t have it already, I highly recommend grabbing it today. I never thought this was a style that would be flattering on me~ but boy was I pleasantly surprised!!!

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Breezing Into Spring with the Ballad Blouse

…A Mini Pattern Hack Blog Post

As soon as March rolls around, I have no interest in sewing for anything other than Spring! Want to get a jumpstart on your Spring sewing? (At least here in the Northeast, we aren’t wearing Spring clothes quite yet!) Grab the Ballad Blouse pattern, you won’t be disappointed.

Today, 2/14/2025 the Love Notions $5 Feature Friday pattern is the Ballad Blouse. Use code MARYMAC10 for an extra 10% off. It’s a great versatile blouse that can be worn all seasons, but I especially love it in Spring and Summer. I decided to begin my Spring sewing with a sleeve hack for this fun blouse.

If you want ALL the details on the Ballad, such as sizing, options, fabric recommendations and sewing tips visit my Original Ballad Blouse blog post HERE. Also included in that blog post is an explanation on how to Block Fuse your interfacing pieces~ if you’re not doing that with your rayons ~ you should!

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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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Cuddle Up With The Coda

………A Cuddly Coat Pattern From Love Notions

*Updated 2/2024 and 10/25 with some new photos

The newest pattern from Love Notions is here and it’s a good one! The Coda Quilted Coat is the perfect piece to add to your outerwear collection. I’ve made mine from a bed quilt from Home Goods! The possibilities are endless!

The Coda Coat is the perfect pattern that helped me create a “Coastal Grandma” style coat for my wardrobe. I must warn you though, this pattern is dangerous. Ever since I made mine, I spend hours of dreaming different ways to make another one. And yes, I will be making another one! The Coda is addictive~ you can’t make just one!! The Coda Coat is the a Feature Friday pattern today 10/24/2025 ~ just $6 today. Use code 10MACSEWS for an extra 10% off!.

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Big News ~ The Metra Blazer Course Is Now Available!

There are 2 great things happening at Love Notions Patterns today! First, the Metra Blazer is the $5 Feature Friday pattern. (1/19/24). Second, the new Metra Blazer Course launches today!!

I now own 4 Metra Blazers, two I made last Spring, one this Fall and my newest French Terry version just yesterday! It is such a versatile pattern. Depending on your fabric choice it can be dressier or more casual. It is much more comfortable to wear than a traditional blazer but looks more polished than a cardigan. I always wear one of my Metras when I go into the city for the day. I’m comfortable for the commute in. yet I still feel like I’m dressed nicely for the theater.

COTTON SPANDEX FRENCH TERRY
PONTE KNIT
BOTH FABRICS FROM
RASPBERRY CREEK FABRICS
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An Odds-On Favorite ~ The Love Notions Oakley Vest

I’m just gonna put this right out there. I bet that if you make a Love Notions Oakley Vest, you are going to LOVE it. I’ll also bet that you will immediately make another one! There, I said it! This is THE perfect make to add to your closet right now. I’ve been throwing mine on everyday since I made them, every time I get a tad chilly. And to top it off, the Oakley Vest and the Kid’s Acorn Vest are both just $5 today (1/13/2023) as the Love Notions Feature Friday patterns.

(I promise the bottom edges are even~ it’s the way I was standing and it was TOO cold to do retakes!)
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