Vivi Lou Is Ready For Summer!

……..Love Notions Releases the Clearwater Summer Essentials for Girls!!

Last summer, Love Notions released the Clearwater Summer Essentials for Ladies and it was a smash hit! I like so many others dove into sewing my own swimwear for the first time ever! Well~ Love Notions customers begged for a Girl’s Clearwater and it’s here!!!

BOTH the Girls Clearwater and the Ladies version are on sale for just $6 ALL WEEKEND!! Even more exciting is the release of the new Clearwater Summer Essentials Sewing Course! Tami (the owner of Love Notions) puts together wonderful online sewing courses. It’s like having your own on-demand sewing teacher that holds your hand every step of the way! The course is $25~ and you can get either the Girls or Ladies Clearwater pattern for free with this purchase. (If you want both~ you can order the other for just $6) REMEMBER~ Use my code 10MARYMAC for an additional 10% off.

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The Weekly Stitch With Sew Mary Mac~ June 20, 2025

I’ve decided to try something new and write short weekly posts about what is going on in my sewing room. (OK maybe not weekly, but maybe twice per month). These will be short and simple posts that will highlight the patterns and fabrics that I used that week. Sometimes I will highlight upcoming projects too! Hopefully they will give you some inspiration!

My plan is to also to let all the fans of Love Notions Patterns know what pattern is the Feature Friday $6 pattern, because they really are such a great deal! With that being said, the $6 pattern from Love Notions today, 6/20/25 is the Juliet Top! It just so happens that I finished up two new Juliet tops over the weekend! I really do LOVE this pattern!

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Late To The Party…..But I Finally Joined the Chorus!!

….A New Pattern Review of the Love Notions Chorus Top and Dress

Updated June 6, 2025

The Chorus Top and Dress pattern is the Feature Friday pattern today~ the first time ever available for just $6. You can use my code LOVEMARY10LN for an extra 10% off.

I recently sewed up my second maxi dress version of the Chorus because I was wearing my first one so often. It went on every one of my vacation last summer! My new navy floral version is sewn with a lightweight ITY fabric from Mood Fabrics. Personally I love sewing with ITY (even though some are a bit slippery to sew) because they are cool to wear, don’t wrinkle and you can roll them up into your carryon bag!!

Keep reading for all the details on my sizing and alterations for the Chorus maxi. The only difference I made for my newest version is that I added 2″ to the length of the bodice instead of just 1″.


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Let’s Go For A Ride With The Tinley Skort

………A Mini Pattern Hack Blog Post

The Tinley Skort(and skirt and shorts) is the Feature Friday pattern over at Love Notions today! (5/16/25) The pattern is just $6 ~ so If you didn’t grab it during last week’s big sale be sure to grab it today. You can use my code LOVEMARY10LN for an extra 10% off. You can get the pattern HERE.

When the warm weather comes, I pull out my Tinley Skorts. I find them to be perfect for bike riding, walks, hiking and even just lounging around. If you don’t own this pattern~ I really think you should give it a try! This blog post is just about a simple hack for the elastic back waist. If you’d like to read all the details on the Tinley, please visit this blog post that includes fitting and sewing tips. Read that blog post HERE.

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The New Bluegrass Shirt ~With A Coastal Twist

…..A New Pattern Release From Love Notions

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.

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Everyday Favorites For A Coastal Summer……

…. Love Notions Patterns I’m Sewing Dor summer

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…………….

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Sewing Up Swim With Raspberry Creek Fabrics 2025

…Swim Fabrics Aren’t Just For Bathing Suits!!

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.

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Get Creative With The Aria For Spring & Summer

……..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.

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Layer Up With The Evanston Vest

…. From Love Notions

I was so excited to test this pattern from Love Notions back in January 2025! I always reach for my Evanston vests when the weather gets chilly! I’ve made 3 different versions of the Evanston Vest, 4 total because I just love the cowl on this vest! I even added the Evanston Cowl to the Sloane sweater!! I really LOVE this pattern and I’m sure you will love this pattern too!

The Evanston Vest is on sale today, Friday 1/2/26 for just $6! Remember to use my code 10MACSEWS for an additional 10% off! This is the first time the Evanston has been on sale for just $6!!

The 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!

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My Favorite Love Notions Makes Of 2024

…Love Notions New Year’s Sale is On!

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!

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