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My Ruffle Sleeve Hack
Feature Friday Pattern From Love Notions~ The Ballad Blouse
The $6 Feature Friday pattern from Love Notions today, 4/3/26, is the Ballad Blouse. This is such a perfect blouse for spring and summer. Sewn in the right fabric it will keep you looking cool and comfortable right through the summer no matter how hot it gets where you live! Please consider using my affiliate link to purchase your pattern. You can read more about that below in the “Pattern Links” section.
The Ballad Blouse is THE perfect blouse for spring and summer! It’s loaded with options that can easily help you fill your closet full of beautiful yet comfortable blouses. The relaxed fit will help you stay cool, yet look cute! The real star of this pattern is the shoulder detail! You can choose between shirring or gathers. I’ve only made the gathered version at this time. Consider trying the shirred version as well~ I did shirring for the first time in a LONG time for my Tempo sundress. It’s a lot easier than you might think! Plus there is a wonderful video to help you along the way! I can’t wait to make a few sleeveless versions for summer!
………….The Big 40% Off Sale Is Here! (45% off if using my code!)
Today, March 23 through Friday-3/27, 2026, all Love Notions digital patterns and sewing 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! The only pattern excluded is the new Muse Blouse. If you use my code 10MACSEWS you can get an additional 5% off the sale prices for a total of 45% off!!!!
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Feature Friday Pattern From Love Notions ~
This week the Feature Friday pattern is the Olympia Dress with an added bonus! A shirt version has been added to the pattern and the dress/shirt pattern is just $6 today(and often through the weekend)! If you’ve made the dress, then you already know that the neckline is really the star of this design~ which is why a shirt hack was needed! *If you already own the Olympia Dress pattern, simply redownload it from the LN website for the update which includes the shirt pattern pieces.
The star of the Olympia is the integrated reverse shawl collar with a V-neck~ it gives this shirt/dress such a timeless classic look. Plus it’s much easier to sew that you may at first think. (Be sure to click on the video link for help if needed.)
I”ll be honest, I have never made an Olympia Dress, however when Tami asked the Ambassadors to test the new shirt addition I figured it was time. You can grab the Olympia Dress & Shirt pattern HERE. Please remember to use my link so I will get “credit” for this sale.
Using just the existing bodice pattern pieces didn’t work for this “hack” as the bodice has negative ease for the dress. Simply adding length to the bodice pattern pieces wouldn’t work due to natural hip curves. So Tami redrafted the bodice pattern from the waist down for the shirt version~ adding the length and additional ease to the hip area. This shirt is designed to be close fitting to be tucked in when worn. To get the best fit for yourself remember to choose your size based on your high bust measurement! You can always grade for the waist and hips!
My Sizing & Modifications
I started with the XL with a DD cup size, since my high bust is 39.5″ and my full bust is 44″. (Note the Olympia is designed with 5 different Cup sizes to get the best fit.). I then graded out for my larger waist and hips. Because I have that extra “fluffiness” around my waist (which is always fluctuating day by day), I did remove some of the shaping at the waist. I also did this because I knew I wouldn’t be wearing this top tucked in. If you are built “fluffy” like me I would suggest doing the same when cutting out your fabric. You can always go back and take it in at the waist after trying on your top.
I am only 5 feet tall (but not short waisted) and I did not remove any length from this top. It is designed to hit at the high hip, which it does. In the future I will probably add an additional inch in length for my personal preference.
I sewed this Olympia Shirt up in an ITY knit from the NYC garment district. It was pouring outside when I tried to get photos and inside photos are just terrible in my house! I do wish you could see that some of the polka dots are actually light blue! (See photo below)
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Feature Friday Pattern From Love Notions~ The Geneva Pullover & Jacket
The Geneva is the $6 Feature Friday pattern today~ its first feature ever since its release last year! Extra surprise~ if you order the Geneva Sewing Course for $25 you will get the digital Geneva pattern for FREE! If you use my code 10MACSEWS you can get 10% off the price of the course. That means the course and pattern would be just $22.50 instead of the regular price for both of $31! So today is really a great time to grab this pattern (and sewing course)!
The Geneva is an excellent pick for the transitional weather of early spring/spring. It’s a great lightweight layer with a beautiful fit. I’ve added this to my never ending of “things I want to sew” list!
The Details~
3 Body styles to choose from
Classic pullover
Sleek full-zip jacket
Edgy asymmetrical zip jacket
All views feature raglan sleeves and princess seams
DISCLAIMER: If you’re expecting to see cute swimsuits sewn up in beautiful Raspberry Creek Fabricswim 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.
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Feature Friday Pattern From Love Notions~ The Glissandos
The Glissnado is a great bargain for $6 as it includes pants, shorts and a skirt! One of the main features is the button fly, however there is a tutorial available to help you swap it for a zipper. You can find that HERE.
You can purchase the Glissando pattern HERE. This is my affiliate link and it costs you nothing to click here to purchase the pattern. (I simply get credit for the sale). Using my code 10MACSEWS will only get you and additional 10% off if you add another pattern to your order. Read more about this below.
Sizes 0-32
Meant for woven fabrics
Three options: crop pants, shorts or skirt
Exposed button fly
High waisted
Fitted hips and thigh with wide legs or straight skirt
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Feature Friday Pattern From Love Notions~The Vivace Dolman
The LN Feature Friday pattern this week is the Vivace Dolman! This is a great pattern to begin your spring sewing with. The relaxed fit makes it airy and breezy for warmer weather~ yet is also is a perfect layer underneath a cardigan for those cooler days! The V-neck and pleat elevate it from just a simple tee. You will surely want several of these in your closet!
When this pattern first released, I really didn’t think it would suit me. However, a year later I sewed one up and guess what? I loved it!! I’m usually not a huge fan of dolman sleeves, however I must say that the LN dolman sleeves patterns that I have sewn up fit me much better than any I have ever tried on. (The La Bella Donna and Melody Dolman are also favorites of mine!)
You can purchase the Vivace Dolman pattern HERE. This is my affiliate link and it costs you nothing to click here to purchase the pattern. (I simply get credit for the sale). Using my code 10MACSEWS will only get you and additional 10% off if you add another pattern to your order. Read more about this below.
The Details
For complete details on the Vivace Dolman including my sizing, modifications and sewing tips be sure to visit this blog post.
The Vivace is a classic dolman style with a unique overlapped V-neck and an added offset pleat. The pleat creates extra ease below the bust which creates the most flattering drape on all shapes and sizes!
Dolman Style Sleeve
3 Length Options: shirt, tunic and knee-length dress
Can be made with Knits OR Wovens
Easy Fitting
Quick and easy sew for a Confidant Beginner.
Fabric Resources
My absolute favorite fabric to sew up the Vivace Dolman top is Raspberry Creek Fabric’s rib knit. In fact it is the ONLY fabric I have sewn it up in simply because this pattern and fabric work soooo well together. One day I will try another fabric (and I will try a woven soon) but for now I’m obsessed with this pattern/fabric combo.
You can find RCF retail RCF Rib Knit HERE. You may also print any design from the Design Library onto this rib knit fabric. This is an 8 X 3 rib knit that is 92% polyester/8% spandex.
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Feature Friday Pattern From Love Notions~ A Great Transitional Piece for Your Closet!
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 lately, every time I get a tad chilly. I honestly wear mine year round! They are part of my everyday wardrobe all fall and spring, yet I even wear them on summer evenings as it gets chilly by the coast.
And to top it off, the Ladies Oakley Vest and the Kid’s Acorn Vest are both just $6 today (2/20/2026) as the Love Notions Feature Friday patterns. If you buy both you can get an additional 10% off my using my code 10MACSEWS.
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Feature Friday Pattern From Love Notions~
Today, Friday 2/13/26 isn’t a bad luck day, it’s actually a lucky day because the $6 Friday Pattern is actually 3 patterns! The whole Clef Coat Collection is on sale today, each one just $6 a piece. If you purchase 2 or 3 of the Clef Coat pattern you can get an additional 10% off by using my code 10MACSEWS. This means the Ladies Clef Coat, the Mens Bass Clef CoatAND the Kids Treble Clef Coat are all on sale
The Clef Coats are a relaxed fit, yet classic coat that can be both casual or dressy depending on options and fabrics selected. It is suitable for Confident Beginners, so if you haven’t attempted to sew one up yet~ NOW is the time! Don’t like to sew zippers? There is also a button front option!
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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