So how many encores are too many? In the case of Love Notions’s Encore Skirt pattern, the answer to that question would be~ there could never be too many!
Back in 2023, I didn’t test this pattern, but I did get my hands on a copy of it and was able to sew up 2 different versions of this new skirt. As a person who doesn’t wear skirts very often (I usually prefer dresses), I have to admit I really like this one!!
The Encore Skirt is the Feature Friday pattern and is available today, 10/31/2025 for just $6. You can get an additional 10% off by using my code 10MACSEWS.
There is nothing more classic than a preppy polo shirt here in the Northeast. Love Notions has taken that classic polo shirt and updated it for a new modern look! The Frankie Polo shirt and dress is the perfect addition to a classic wardrobe!
Tha Frankie Polo is the Feature Friday pattern, 7/4/25. You can grab this today for just $6. If you use the code 10MARYMAC you will get an additional 10% off.
I was lucky to test the Frankie and I’m so happy I did! It’s the perfect addition to my Fall wardrobe and I can see myself making several more. It will be perfect for layering with vests and sweaters this Fall and Winter. Come spring, I can’t wait to sew up a few short sleeved versions. I think my favorite thing about the Frankie is the option of a woven collar and placket. All those adored scraps of fabric I’ve been holding on to~ can now be used up in my Frankies!
Update 7/3/2025: My Frankie Plans For Summer
This summer I have so many sewing plans, but one of them on my list is a short sleeve Frankie made from a solid color knit with a woven collar and placket. Simply dive into your scrap bin to find something perfect! I have these old shirts (that haven’t fit for years) that I have been holding on to because I LOVE the fabric. My plan is to cut them up and use them for the collar and placket on a new Frankie! I think they will be soooo cute!!
Need a few more basics in your closet this Fall? The Breckenridge Henley is a great top for layering or all by itself.
The Breckenridge is the Love Notions $5 Feature Friday pattern today, 10/20/23. Be sure to grab yours! Remember to use my code LOVEMARY10 for an additional 10% off. As a Love Notions Ambassador, I always try to sew up the Feature Friday pattern if I haven’t made one before. Keep reading to learn more about mine! Scroll even further to see the vest hack I made!!!
New Release from Love Notions for Men (and the Sideline for Boys too!)
The Tailgate Sweatshirt and Hoodie has just been released along with the Sideline Sweatshirt for Boys. I wasn’t an official tester for this pattern, but as a Love Notions Ambassador I did get an advanced copy of the pattern. So I decided to quickly sew up a Tailgate for my husband (who sadly doesn’t get many me-mades). I was promptly “”informed” at I need to sew a few more of these. I guess that means I “need” to go fabric shopping!!
The Tailgate and Sideline will both be on release pricing until Monday, 10/23/2023. The Tailgate is just $9.50 and the Sideline is just $7.50. Remember to use my code LOVEMARY10 for an additional 10% off.
Love Notions 40% off ALL Patterns and Courses this week 10/2-10/6
This week, October 2-6, 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 LOVEMARY10 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! (GIVEAWAY ENDED)
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 the Spring Sale last May, I wrote up a blog post on this trend and talked about how I created a “Coastal Preppy” wardrobe with Love Notions patterns. For this Fall sale, I decided to share how I was going to be using Love Notions pattern for my Fall Coastal Preppy wardrobe. I had hoped to have more garments sewn up to show, but in September we are away quite a bit. Living by the coast, it’s always the best time to enjoy the some of our favorite places that are often very crowded in the Summer months. (Block Island always calls to me in September). So, in this blog post you’ll get to see a few older makes along with a few new makes and some pattern/fabric match-ups that I’ve picked out.
The Love Notions Presto Tunic gets a sizing update!
In honor of the Presto Tunic rereleasing in updated sizing, I’ve sewn up a new version that I’m so excited to share! The Presto Tunic is the $5 Feature Friday pattern today, 9/15/23 and stays $5 all weekend! The Presto is now available in sizes XS-5X. How exciting is that!
The Presto Tunic is designed for woven fabrics such as linen, chambray, rayon, flannel, shirting, lawn and poplin. Remember different fabrics sewn up in the same pattern can produce very different results. I’ve decided to share with you 4 of my Presto Tunics, each sewn up in a different fabric to show you just how different one pattern can look!
The Tinley has just been released and let me tell you this …it’s a winner!!! I wasn’t an official tester for this pattern, but as a Love Notions Ambassador I did get an advanced copy of the pattern. I’ll be honest by saying that my first reaction to the Tinley was “Oh, I can’t wear something like that!” I didn’t think I would like or wear this pattern. I typically don’t wear shorts, skorts or shorter skirts. But, when I saw the tester photos start coming in (as a LN Ambassador I get plenty of sneak peeks), I began to second guess myself and I am so glad I did! Boy, was I ever pleasantly surprised how much I loved my first Tinley. So let me warn you~you WILL love this pattern! I loved my first skort version so much I immediately sewed up a straight skirt version! The Tinley has officially taken over my vacation wardrobe! There are so many options and combinations you can fill your whole closet (or suitcase)!
You can grab the Tinley pattern for just $6 Friday 5/16/25 only and use my code LOVEMARY10LN for an extra 10% off.
Straight Skort Version in Swim Fabric from Raspberry Creek Fabrics, worn with a La Bella Donna TopContinue reading →
Linen, sand and saltwater- just make me think of summer by the seashore! Linen is by far my favorite fabric to sew and wear in the summer(and all other times too!)
In honor of the $5 Feature Friday pattern sale over at Love Notions Patterns, I decided to share some of my thoughts on sewing with linen. If there is one $5 Friday pattern you don’t want to miss it’s todays(6/16/23). The Aria is a classic button-down that is always a staple in any wardrobe~ especially my coastal preppy wardrobe.
Nervous about sewing a button down? No need to be! There is an awesome Aria on-demand sewing course that holds your hand every step of the way! The course is $25, but today if you purchase the course you get the Aria pattern for free! Just add the course to your shopping cart first and click the box for your free Aria pattern. Remember to use my code MARYSEWS10 course or pattern.
Aria Dress in 100% linenAria in Linen/Rayon BlendAria in 100% linenContinue reading →
Be prepared to fall in love with Juliet! The newest pattern from Love Notions is THE perfect top for the summer! I was so excited to test this pattern and I’m sew excited for all of my readers to sew one up! The second I put on my first test version…it got the Sew Mary Mac stamp of approval! (And yes, I have made a total of 8 versions with another one cut out already!)
The Juliet Top is the $6 Feature Friday pattern today 6/20/25 for the FIRST TIME !!! Remember to use code LOVEMARY10LN for an additional 10% off!
The Details
The Juliet Top is another “not-so-basic” basic that is a great addition to any closet. This cute flowy top is such a quick and fun sew, I highly recommend cutting 2 at a time and batch sewing them! On top of that, it’s beginner friendly! This is such a versatile top, wear it alone or use it for layering!
Features
Yoke Options: Plain, Faux Placket, Pintucked
4 Sleeve Options: Sleeveless, Short, Flutter and Long
Beginner Friendly, especially the plain yoke version
The Lenox top and dress pattern is here! I tested this pattern, and I am putting the “Sew Mary Mac” stamp of approval on it! I’m so excited to share my versions with you! You know a pattern is a good one, when you already have plans for several more!
The pattern is on sale for just $6 today, 09/12/25. You can use my code 10MARYMAC for an additional 10% off. If you would prefer a printed paper pattern they will ship for free today(US residents). The Lenox paper pattern includes a printed pattern and tutorial, you also get the digital version included for $21. You may use my discount code to get 10% off.
The Details
The Lenox Top and Dress pattern is such a versatile pattern. Designed for knit fabrics, it can be casual or dressy depending on your fabric choice. The princess seams make it flattering on all body shapes and sizes. It’s that pattern you didn’t know you needed! It’s a great basic~ that’s not so basic! It includes so many options you can actually mix and match them to create 30 different looks! If you’re a confident beginner, this should be next on your to-sew list! It’s a really quick sew which will make it easy to fill your closet with a few. For my next Lenox I want to find a perfect weight solid white! No boring white tees for me!
Features
Princess seams
2 Neckline options: square and sweetheart
4 Body styles: Midi and knee length dresses, shirt and cropped tops
4 Sleeve options: long, 3/4, short and puff short
Sizing And Alterations
The Lenox is available in sizes XS- 5X. There is a full bust pattern piece included. The Lenox is designed to be fitted with negative ease at the bust, 1″-3″ ease at the waist and 0″-1″ ease at the hips. To get a great fit on the Lenox, be sure to take accurate body measurements and use the body measurement and finishing garment measurement charts to select your size.
When selecting your size make sure you choose by using your high bust measurement. With a wider neckline opening like this square and sweetheart design, this is especially important! If your full bust is 4 or more inches larger than your high bust, you should be using the full bust front piece. Remember that the full bust option adds an additional 2″ to the waist and hip finished garment measurements. Keep this in might when deciding to grade in/out for your waist and hips.
The shirt length is meant to hit just above the full hip. The crop top length hits between the natural waist and the high hip. The midi-length dress hits at the calf, while the knee length dress hits just about the knee on the average 5’5″ woman.
If adjusting for your height(or lack of it like me) remember you must adjust the front, back AND center front pattern pieces. Be sure to use the length/shorten lines indicated on the pattern. Since the Lenox is designed to be closer fitting you want to make sure the waist hits you in the correct spot. You don’t want to just add or delete length at the bottom of the top/dress. See my notes below about the length. I prefer my tops to be just a tad longer, so on my first version I did NOT shorten the top for my lack of height. My later versions did include some additional length.
My Adjustments
My high bust measurement of 40″ puts me into an XL. Since my full bust of 45″ is more than 4″ larger, I used the full bust front piece. I graded out to the 2X at the waist and hips. My hips are just over the 2X measurement ~ but that will be fine because of the extra 2″ of ease at the waist and hips when using the full bust front piece. When cutting, I use the XL for the neckline and shoulders, then grade to the 2X.
Edited to add: Since I am petite in height, I found the neckline a bit too low for me and my larger bust. Read below how I adjusted the neckline to be perfect for me!!
Version 1~ Navy Floral
The Navy Floral rib knit was my first version (after my first tester version). I did not make any length adjustments on this version. The length is a bit shorter than my personal preference, but it would probably be fine for most others. This version included the square neckline and the short sleeves. Overall, I was very pleased with the fit (other than the length). I did feel when I leaned forward that the neckline was a tad too low for me while standing up straight it was fine,
Version 1
Version 2~ Magenta Smocked Knit
This version is also an XL with the FBA front graded to the 2X hip. For this version, I raised the neckline by 1″ and lengthen the top 2″. I love where this neckline falls on me. I feel it is exactly how the pattern was designed to fit. I am only 5 feet tall, and I know this is why necklines are sometimes too low on me. These are the puff short sleeves. The only thing I didn’t love about this version is the hem(all me)~ stitching a hem on smocked fabric caused some rippling. I’m going to wash it and then try and steam it a bit to see what happens. If that doesn’t work, I think I will shorten it 1″ and re-hem it.
Version 3 ~ Magnolia Floral Bamboo Cotton
Version 3
This version fits me perfectly!!! The only difference between this Lenox and the magenta one, is the overall length. I only added 1″ in length to this one. Moving forward, this will be the version I stick with.
Raising the Neckline
Raising the square neckline of the Lenox was simple to do. Only 2 pattern pieces need to be adjusted, the center front and the side/back neckband.
To maintain the curve of the top of the neckline, I cut and spread my center front pattern piece about just a tad over an inch below the top edge. Since I raised the neckline, thus making the neck opening smaller, I needed to shorten my side/back neckband as well. For the neckband, I needed to take off 1″ from the end opposite from the fold marking. If you take it off the folded end, your notches will not match up when trying to attach the side/back neckband to the top.
Fabrics and Notions
The Lenox top and dress is designed for knit fabrics with at least 40% 4-way stretch.. Fabrics such as rib knits, jersey blends, cotton lycra and interlock would work well. The knit you choose should have good recovery, without it, you might find that your neckline droops.
I made a my original tester version from double brushed poly. To be honest, it was my least favorite of all the fabrics I used. I will add that is was a rather think DBP from my stash that I held onto for pattern tests. I think knits that are super drapey, like rayon spandex, may not give you in intended look. I often don’t like using cotton lycra for myself, however this pattern is perfect for it! My suggestion is to always look at all the tester photos and see what types of fabrics they used, this can give you a good indication of how different fabrics work with a pattern.
One thing I love about the Lenox, is that the short sleeved top version requires less than 1.5 yards!! All you need is your fabric and thread!
Sew Mary Mac’s Tips for Sewing the Lenox
Remember to check the length BEFORE you cut your fabric. You want the waist to hit you in the right spot to get the intended fit of the Lenox.
It’s extremely important to transfer your pattern markings! This is especially true for the side front pieces so you know exactly how far to sew down the side neckband pieces.
Page 11, Step 3~ it is very easy to accidentally twist the side front pieces when pinning the center front to them. Just make sure both sides are laying the right direction when doing this step.
If using a drapier knit (such as DBP), you may want to tighten the the back neckband a tad. This would mean shortening the side/back neckband pattern piece.
Do not to any of the topstitching on the neckband pieces until you have tried on your Lenox. It’s much easier to take off a neckband and tighten it if there is NO topstitching.
A Little Bit About Pattern Testing
I was one of the testers for this pattern, and it always amazes how much time Tami(the designer) puts in to make each pattern the best it can be. As with all new releases, the pattern is pretested in every single size. During this pretest, we look at fit and construction issues. Testers make recommendations and Tami listens to everyone’s feedback. The pattern pieces and tutorial go through several versions before it ever gets to you!
Thanks for stopping by! I truly appreciate all of you that visit! If you enjoyed this blog post, consider subscribing to my blog to stay up to date with all my posts!
Mary Anne 🙂
Remember to follow me over on Instagram to see all my latest makes! @sewmarymac
You can also follow my Facebook Page~ Sew Mary Mac. On this page you will find information on my makes from all pattern companies. If I know of any good sales(pattern or fabric) I will also feature this information. I have had many of my loyal followers send me friend requests on Facebook. I do post in the Love Notions group under Mary Anne MacLean, however this Facebook account is private. There is no sewing content on that Facebook Account.
This is an affiliate link. It costs you nothing to purchase from this link, it just helps fund my fabric addiction which allows me to test and review more patterns.
To receive an additional 10% off the pattern price, use this coupon code 10MARYMAC. This coupon code can be used at anytime on any pattern….even a $6 Feature Friday pattern. My code does change quarterly, so please always check the newest blog post for an update if you find a code isn’t working.
Fabric Resources
Magenta Smocked Knit is available from Surge Fabrics. It is available in a variety of colors. I really like the texture of this fabric. You can find this fabric HERE.EDITED 9/2025: This color is no longer available, however several colors of this fabric are now in the clearance section for just $5 per yard. (If you act quickly there is a remnant of the magenta in the sale section!)
The Light Blue Magnolia print is custom printed on Bamboo Cotton from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. The bamboo cotton blend is THE best fabric for hot weather! You can find this print HERE.
The Navy Floral rib knit is from Mily Mae Fabrics. This is from my stash and no longer available, but they always have a great selection of rib knits to choose from. Both Raspberry Creek Fabrics and Surge Fabrics both have a nice selection of rib knits as well.
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.
Photos property of Sew Mary Mac. If you would like to link to a post or tutorial you may use one cover photo and link back to the post. If you would like to use more than one photo please email via my contact page for permission.
sewmarymac.com 