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.
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.
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!.
The Metra Blazer is the Feature Friday pattern today, April 17, 2026. The pattern alone is just $6~ however, you can purchase the LOVE NOTIONS METRA SEWING COURSE for just $15 today with the code listed below!
Already own the Metra Blazer pattern? If you already own the pattern but now would love the course, today is your lucky day! You too can purchase just the Metra Blazer Sewing Course for just $15! That’s a great deal. In order to get this fabulous deal you must enter the code STITCH-9K4XQ2
Note~ you can’t use my personal code for an additional percentage off, so please use my affiliate link for the pattern and/or course so I get credit for your purchase.
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 TERRYPONTE KNITBOTH FABRICS FROM RASPBERRY CREEK FABRICSContinue reading →
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!)Continue reading →
The holiday season is my favorite for many reasons: Family get-togethers, decorating for the holidays, holiday baking, my daughters coming home and so many other activities. My home is always full of love, happiness and good food. And it’s the good food that “gets me in trouble”. I love to bake and cook, and I love to eat what I bake and cook. Inadvertently~ I always put on a few pounds during the holidays. I’m not going to stress about it~ I will walk it off over the next couple of weeks. The problem ~ I’m just not comfortable in some of my clothing.
I don’t want to sew or buy larger clothing. What sense does it make to sew clothes that will fit me now and then be too big in a few weeks? What I need is to do is sew a few items that will make me feel comfortable now, yet still fit once I walk away those extra pounds. So, I went through my closet and looked over my Love Notions patterns and selected a few that will work perfectly for this “transitional” phase. Below are the 5 patterns that I’ll be sewing right now.
Looking for a quick and easy gift idea? The Compose Robe to the rescue! I just love my Compose robe ~ it is definitely the most worn me-made garment in my closet. I actually wore my first one so much, I made a second one! EDIT~ I now have 3!
Today, 12/12/25 the Compose Robe pattern (Adults and Kids) is on sale for just $6! So go shop your stash and whip up some great gifts that everyone will LOVE!
Details
Why I love this pattern:
Makes THE perfect gift! (I made one for my sister for Christmas last year)
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.
If you’re here on my blog today~ then you must have heard that Love Notions is having a site-wide sale this week, 10/3-10/7 2022. All patterns are 40% 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.
Be sure to read to the end to learn how YOU can win a free Boyfriend Cardigan pattern from meand a serger sewing machine from Love Notions!!! GIVEAWAY CLOSED
1. Aria Button down
Why?
OPTIONS!!!!
3 Length Options: Shirt, Tunic and Dress(knee length)
3 Sleeve Options: Sleeveless, Short, Long
2 Collar Options: Banded and Standard Collar
Dress Options: Tie Belt or Drawstring Waist
Great pattern for someone new to shirt making
Great construction details, such a yoke burrito method and the tower placket on the sleeve.
AMAZING ARIA Course! A step-by-step on demand video tutorial is available for purchase.
Raobert Kaufman Cotton FlannelCotton SeersuckerThe Plaid Aria is made from Robert Kaufman cotton flannel. It is a nice heavier weight flannel. Raspberry Creek Fabrics carries a nice selection of them. The color blocked Aria was my last summer make that I will wear into the Fall. It is made from seersucker purchased from Joann Fabrics.Continue reading →
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”Continue reading →
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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