Tag Archives: Love Notions Oakley Vest

The Weekly Stitch With Sew Mary Mac~ February 20, 2026

………….Welcome to My Sewing Room (This post contains affiliate links)

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.

You can grab the Ladies Oakley Vest HERE.

The Kid’s Acorn Vest can be found HERE.

Want More Info On the Oakley Vest?

My first blog post about the Oakley Vest will give you all the details on the Oakley Vest, along with:

  • Sewing Tips for the Oakley Vest
  • My Fit and Sizing modifications
  • Instructions for my pocket modification
  • Instructions for my collar/zipper modification
  • Tips for purchasing thread

You can read this blog post HERE.

I wrote a blog post about how I quilted my own fabric for an Oakley Vest. Note: I am NOT a quilter! (So this may not be the way some of you would do this!). This vest is made from linen and lined with cotton poplin and it is simply one of the best SRPING makes I have made! I wear this constantly!

Click HERE to read this blog post.

Yes, It was snowing while I took this photo!

As you can see from some of my photos, that I LOVE layering the Oakley Vest over RTW sweaters. However, I also LOVE layering it with several LN patterns! This photo shows the Oakley paired with an sweatshirt fleece Aria button down and a rib knit La Bella Donna.

Visit this blog post to see how I layer up with my Oakley Vests.

Need a great resource for zippers for your new Oakley Vests?

Visit this Weekly Stitch Blog for all the details on which zippers I use and where I purchase all my zippers from. (Note: This post was written for the Fall pattern sale, this is not a current sale.)

New Pattern Release From Chalk & Notch~

I was honored to test the new Rivi Blouse and Dress pattern from Chalk & Notch! I highly recommend this pattern. Gabriela really listens to her testers and any issues that may arise and does whatever is needed to correct the issue or to provide additional instruction when needed. This is an elevated pattern designed for woven fabrics with details that definitely set it above the rest. It was designed with striped fabrics in mind, but is beautiful in any fabric.

I found this pattern so enjoyable to sew!!! Is it a super fast sew, not exactly. It actually took me almost as long to get the pattern pieces laid out and cut as it did to sew it up. But, it was worth it! I absolutely LOVED the collar construction and directions. If you are new to sewing a collar with a separate collar stand~ this is a great one to start with. It’s the little things in the directions that can really make a difference in the finished garment. Trimming directions for the collar were amazing~ NOT trimming the seam allowance at the center front means you get a much cleaner finish!

Be sure to check out Chalk & Notch’s Instagram, @chalkandnotch for even more info and fabric discount codes!!!

The Details

  • Blouse or Dress option
  • Blouse finishes at the hip
  • Dress finishes above the knee
  • Side Slits for blouse and dress
  • Dropped shoulders
  • Unique angled yoke seams on front and back yokes
  • Long or short sleeve option
  • Inseam pockets on dress (optional)
  • Size 0-30 (Up to 58″ bust)
  • A/B or C/D cup options
  • C/D option includes bust dart
  • Sewing Level: Intermediate

Get more info on the Rivi HERE.

My Tips for the Rivi Blouse and Dress

  • Make sure to pay attention to your seam allowances, as some seams are finished with French seams.
  • Be sure to mark ALL “T” markings.
  • Don’t skip Step 1~ staystitching!!!!!
  • Step 4~ take extra care when matching up the “T” marking. Take notice how the center front edges DO NOT align up yet. Eventually they will!
  • I highly suggest cutting ALL pieces on a single layer.

Below you will see my test garment that I made during testing. I plan on making another one soon. I wasn’t able to get great photos as we had 18″ of snow and frigid temps~ so inside photos had to do.

I sewed up a size 16 C/D and graded to the 18 hips. In the future I may not grade out quite as much at the hip/

What I’m Sewing (Doing) This Week~

This week I didn’t really get much sewing accomplished. I did however go through my closet to weed out the memades that I just don’t wear. I pulled them all out, made sure they were all labeled with the correct size and then took some to a local consignment shop and donated the rest to a local nursing home. I was amazed at how long it took me to accomplish all of that!

It was also my FAVORITE time of year! Prepping for the Raspberry Creek Fabrics Swim Fabric Release!! I began planning my Raspberry Creek Fabrics swim fabric sewing plans. As a member of their promo team, I was given early access to the new 2026 Swim fabric designs. I selected three and decided what I would make with them. Now I’m just waiting for them to arrive!!! These fabrics are tentatively scheduled for an early March release.

RCF swim knit fabric is one of my most favorite things to sew with. Have I made a swimsuit~ yes~ but I LOVE sewing up regular clothing with it. Interested? Visit these blog posts to see what I’ve sewn up with RCF Swim Knit fabrics.

Here are just a few of my favorite RCF Swim knit makes!

  • Made For Mermaids Jordan dress hacked into a kayaking dress
  • Love Notions Tinley Skort
  • Love Notions Laundry Day Tee Dress
  • Love Notions Constellation
  • My VERY FIRST RCF swim make~ a LN Constellation
  • Love Notions Clearwater Swimdress

My Winter/Early Spring Sewing Plans~

I’ve done a good job of sticking to. my list~ however that’s mainly because I haven’t gotten much sewing done! I must say I am really looking forward to Spring sewing!

  • LN Clef Coat
    • Gray Sweatshirt Fleece (stash)~ I ordered a pink Vislon separating zipper~DONE
    • Navy Boucle (Style Maker Fabrics 2023?)~ I ordered 2 zippers, both a navy Everbright metal zipper, one silver the other gold and will decide when they arrive which one I will use. Edited~. this is cut out and I’ve chosen the gold zipper! Can’t wait to get this sewn up!
  • LN Coda Coat
    • Draper James bed quilt
  • LN Compose Robe “Cardigan”
    • Lt. Blue Italian Boucle (Chic Fabrics, NYC Garment District)
  • LN Metra Blazer
    • Navy Ponte (stash)
    • Bright Pink Linen look ponte (Surge Fabrics 2023?)
  • LN Aria Button down
    • Purple Linen~ long sleeved (Mood Fabrics, linen chambray)
    • Navy Linen hacked “Jacket”  (Mood Fabrics, midweight linen)
    • White Textured Cotton ~long sleeved (Stash)
      • I made a LN Melody in this fabric last summer and I reached for it so often so I’ll make another!

Thanks for reading “The Weekly Stitch”! I’m so happy you took the time to “visit” my sewing room!

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.

Pattern Links~

NOTE: Some of these are affiliate links. It costs you nothing to purchase from these links but they do give me credit for your purchase and provide me with a small commission. This helps fund my fabric addiction which allows me to continue to test and review more patterns

Love Notions Patterns

Love Notions Oakley Vest

Love Notions Acorn Vest

Chalk & Notch Rivi

To receive an additional 10% off Love Notions pattern prices, use my code 10MACSEWS. This coupon code can be used on any purchase as along as the order total is $8 or more. This means that you can no longer get my 10% off one $6 Feature Friday pattern by itself.  Since this change has been made I would truly appreciate it if you used my affiliate links above to purchase the Feature Friday patterns so that I will get “credit” for the sale. (I do receive a small commission). To take more advantage of the $6 FF sale, I suggest adding another pattern or a children’s pattern to your order so you may use the 10% off code~ in this case grab the Kid’s Acorn Vest pattern! It makes a great gift!

Layer With Love Notions Patterns

………….The Sew Thankful Sale At Love Notions Patterns Continues

My newest Oakley Vest
My first Oakley Vest

First and foremost~ the Love Notions Sew Thankful Sales still going on! All regular priced patterns and courses are 40% off. If you use my special code 10MACSEWS45 you’ll get an extra 5%~ that means 45% off!! The sales runs through Friday 12/3/2025. Printed patterns will be 25% off. The only pattern excluded from the sale in the new Opus Vest)

But Wait~ There’s More!!!!!!!!!

With every purchase made during this sale using a code will allow you to get the Sewing Tool Kit PDF (print yourself at home). The Sewing Tool Kit is full of lots of helpful sewing tips guaranteed to bring your makes up a notch! But that’s not all~ for the first time EVER making a purchase (and using a sale code) will also get you the complete LOOK BOOK PDF (print at home yourself). 

There are 2 ways to get this free Tool kit.

  • Use my 45% off code (10MACSEWS45) to get 45% off the order and I will send you the tool kit for free. Simply send me your order number and along with your email and I will send the PDF to your email.
  • Use Love Notions code SewThankful for just 40% off and you will get the Tool Kit added to your Love Notions account automatically. If you choose this method, please consider using my affiliate link so I will get credit for the sale. Purchase your patterns from this link.

Use code 10MACSEWS45 for 45% off your pattern order. In order to receive the Sewing Tool Kit & Love Notions LOOK BOOK for free simply send me your order number and email address and I will send you the PDF for free!

Layer Your Love Notions Patterns!!!!

One of my favorite things to do with all my Love Notions Me-mades is to layer them! All Fall and Winter long you can find me layered up in multiple LN garments! The best thing about wearing layers is when I get indoors, I can always take one (or two) off!

Base Layer

As a born and raised New Englander, my husband has lectured me for years on the importance of base layers! These are the patterns I use. Over the years I have learned to layer more especially in the colder weather!

  • Rockford Raglan
  • Sloane
  • La Bella Donna
  • Classic Tee
  • I love to mash the Classic Tee with the La Bella Donna~ you can find how HERE.

My most used pattern is by far the Rockford Raglan. I use View A and size down one size if I am making it with the intention of being my base layer. If I am making it as a sweater/top to wear on its own I make my typical size(the one I measure at). What I like the most about the Rockford for this purpose is the raglan sleeve~ it creates less bulk in the shoulder and underarm area. I have always used a 1X1 rib knit for this purpose. The Sloane sized down also works really well for this purpose. In the photos below you can see how I have a Rockford on underneath!

Sized down Rockford
w/Breckenridge Vest Hack
Sized down Sloane w/Oakley
La Bella Donna w/Aria
Classic/LBD Mash w/Aria
Sized down Rockford w/ Oakley Vest

Main Layer

These are the garments I make to wear alone or with a base underneath or a vest on top of. My favorite patterns that I create multiple combos with are:

  • Aria Button Down
  • Sloane Sweater
  • Terra Tunic
  • Constellation Pullover

The Aria is one of my most sewn and worn LN garments. I wear them all year long, I just change up the fabrics I use for each season. This year, my favorite Aria is one of my newest ones made in a sweatshirt fleece from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. For colder temps corduroy is perfect too! I always wear a base layer under my Aria, and then often wear an Oakley Vest on top of that for warmth.

The Sloane makes a perfect main piece. I actually have Sloanes made in three different sizes that I wear. Sometimes I size down for base layer or I go up for a nice over-sized sweatshirt to wear over other layers. And then, they are my actual size Sloanes~ which I always love!

Each of the tops below work great with an Oakley over it!

Sloane in a sweater knit
Aria in Corduroy

The Terra Tunic with the V-neck hood is my favorite version. It’s roomy enough for a base layer underneath, yet not too big that I can’t put a vest on over it!

The Constellation is another pattern that I make in different sizes. I usually make my measured size which can still fit a base layer underneath if needed. However, I have sized up one for a more cuddly pullover as well. Either way, an Oakley vest still fits over it nicely.

Classic Tee + Constellation + Oakley. Vest

Top Layer

So many options to wear on top of your outfit for warmth! Love Notions definitely has you covered here! I honestly have a closet full of Oakley Vests and Constellation Pullovers. (and my Clef Collection seems to be growing as well!)

  • Constellation Pullover
  • Oakley Vest
  • Evanston Vest
  • Boyfriend Cardigan
  • Fraser Cardigan
  • Clef Coat

The Constellation is truly a year round pattern for me! I just change the fabrics that I sew it up with. For the colder Winter weather, I’m sewing up 2 sweatshirt fleece versions (look for them later this month as they are next on my sewing list)

The Oakley Vest is one of my go-to’s. I love wearing them over my Arias, Sloanes and Constellations. When my husband and I are out bike riding, it’s nice to start with a base layer, add an Aria or Constellation and then top if off with an Oakley Vest or Clef Coat. It makes it so easy to take off or add one of the layers. Some of my typical casual day combos are the following:

  • Rockford + Aria + Oakley Vest
  • Rockford +Constellation + Oakley Vest
  • Rockford + Constellation + Oakley Vest + Clef Coat~ for when it gets even colder!
Rockford + Aria + Oakley
Rockford + Aria + Oakley + Clef Coat
La Bella Donna + Aria + Oakley

The newer Evanston Vest with the cowl neck is a great vest for when you’re wearing a heavy coat and don’t have a ton of extra arm room. The cowl keeps you warm, yet gives your arms more freedom. I love wearing this when I go into the city. (Tomorrow to be exact to see the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular!)

The Boyfriend Cardigan and Fraser Cardigans are perfect for more classic outfits when combined with the Sloane or Rockford Raglan.

The Clef Coat is really a jack-of-all trades! It can be made as a coat, but I also make and wear them as part of an outfit. I like to think of them as elevated zip-up sweatshirts. I made one last year as a promo for Raspberry Creek Fabrics in a Christmas print French Terry. I wore it all the time inside!

Made from fleece, it’s a great casual jacket to throw on top of your other LN patterns! Last year, for our last bike ride of the season, it was COLD and we were by the ocean. I had on a Rockford Raglan, Aria Button-down, Oakley Vest AND a fleece Clef Coat!

I have a gray sweatshirt fleece Clef Coat on my sewing plan list and it will come up right after my 2 new Constellations! I also have a Boucle Clef Coat planned for a classic piece I can wear inside when out to dinner and the restaurant is just too cold yet I don’t want to wear my actual coat!

Combine yours anyway you’d like! There are endless combinations to be had! I hope I’ve given you a tiny bit of inspiration to layer your Love Notions!

Thanks for reading my little blog! I’m so happy you took the time to “visit” my sewing room! Be sure to stop by each Friday for my “Weekly Stitch” to see what I’m up to including my weekly “what I wore”, progress on my Fall/Winter sewing plans and what I’m currently sewing. If you subscribe to my blog you can get my “Weekly Stitch With Sew Mary Mac” in your mailbox each week!

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.

Pattern Link

Love Notions Patterns

The Love Notions link 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.

During this week long Sew Thankful Sale use the code  10MACSEWS45. This coupon code gives you an extra 5% off the 40% off sale. This code is good for all patterns (printed patterns will be 25% off) and courses.

My code will change back to 10MACSEWS after the sale. My code does change quarterly, so please always check the newest blog post for an update if you find a code isn’t working. This code will be good through the end of 2025.

Blog Posts~ These will give you more details on each pattern, my sizing and alterations along with sewing tips for each specific pattern.

Fabric Resources

Want to make your own sweater knit Oakley Vest? These two fabric shops are my favorite for quilted sweater knits. You can find their collection of them at the links below.

Surge Fabrics

Style Maker Fabrics

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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Sew a Coastal Preppy Wardrobe for Fall with Sew Mary Mac

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.

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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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