Tag Archives: Mily Mae Fabrics

A Truly “Terra-fic” Pattern for Spring

…A Mini Pattern Hack Blog Post

So exactly what makes the Terra Tunic from Love Notions such a terrific pattern? Why do you need to add the Terra Tunic to your pattern collection? Keep reading to find out!!

The Terra Tunic is the $5 Feature Friday pattern for Friday 3/10/23.  So if you don’t own it, I highly suggest you grab it today! You can purchase the Terra Tunic HERE, and make sure to use my code SEWMARY10 for an additional 10% off.

Simply put…

  • This pattern is soooo versatile. It can be casual or work appropriate depending on fabrics and options chosen. Most of mine are casual~ I’m a retired teacher!
  • So many options: 6 neckline variations (and they are all awesome!), 4 sleeve lengths, elbow patches and welt pockets. My favorite sleeve length is the 3/4 sleeve.
  • Can be worn year round! (It even makes a great beach coverup come summer!)
  • The Terra is also a very “hackable” pattern.

First I want to talk about fabric choice. My pink floral version is made from a stable cotton lycra French Terry. The Navy version is made from a lighter weight rib knit that has a lot of drape. Both work well for the Terra, but as you can see they create very different looking tunics. Since the rib knit is lighter weight and has much more drape, you can see that the V-neck appears lower~ but they are actually the same. Remember, different fabrics give very different looks sometimes!

Visit my detailed Terra Tunic blog post for more fabric examples, fitting information, a funnel neck hack and some helpful sewing tips specifically for the Terra Tunic.

However, today’s blog post is dedicated to my favorite V-neck hack for the Terra. This is a V-neck with a facing rather than a neckband , which I feel gives the tunic a dressier look.

How to create a facing for the V-neckline:

  • Take your front body pattern piece, place a piece of pattern tracing cloth(I use Pellon Easy Pattern 830) on top and trace the v-neckline, shoulder and center front.
  • Measure 2″ away and mark. Use a French curve to connect the markings. This is your front facing.
  • Repeat the process for the back using the back body pattern piece.
  • Sew front and back facings together at the shoulder.
  • Pin and stitch facing to the neckline right sides together.
  • Clip at V being careful not to go through stitching
  • Press facing and sew allowance away from the body.
  • Understitch, then turn facing to the inside and press
  • I chose to topstitch 1.5″ away for the look I was trying to achieve.
  • I LOVE the look of Rick Rack on a tunic. It adds just the right touch of “coastal prep” which is just my style. You do NOT need to add this trim to yours. The top-stitching in the step above is sufficient.

Below is a picture of the V-neck without any trim. This was my tester version of this hack last year. This fabric was horrible to sew with and uncomfortable to wear, but I was able to tell that I liked this hack and wanted to do it again.


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

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You can purchase the Terra Tunic pattern HERE.

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 SEWMARY10. This coupon code can be used at anytime on any pattern….even a $5 Feature Friday pattern. This 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

Fuchsia French Terry ~Raspberry Creek Fabric

Navy Geometric Rib Knit~ This fabric was purchased from Mily Mae Fabrics. It is no longer available. You can find many other ribs at Mily Mae, Raspberry Creek Fabric and Surge Fabrics.

The 5 Love Notions Patterns I’m Sewing This Fall

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 me and 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.
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The La Bella Donna~ For “The Beautiful Women”

There are some patterns that are so good, you just sew them over and over. Imagine a top that makes you look great on your good days AND bad days. A top that is forgiving when you gain a few pounds here and there. A top that always makes you feel good about yourself. Sound too good to be true? Nope~ the Love Notions La Bella Donna or the LBD as we like to call it truly lives up to it’s name. “The Beautiful Woman” is exactly who you will be when wearing this top or tunic.

To see how I created one of my favorite Tee shirts, scroll down to see how I combine the LBD with the Classic Tee.

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A Good Melody Is Never Out Of Fashion

Someone once said “Sometimes all you need is music if you want to feel better.” I believe that all you need is a Melody if you want to feel better. Are you in a sewing funk, lost your sewjo, can’t decide what to make next? The Melody is the perfect pattern to get you going again. Because we all know that “A good melody is never out of fashion”.

The Melody is the $5 Feature Friday pattern today, 5/13/22. If you don’t have it~ be sure to grab it!

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The Best Bang For Your Buck~ Love Notions Spring Sale

In honor of the 40% off site wide sale at Love Notions this week, May2-6, 2022~ I decided to put together a list of patterns that I think give you the most bang for your buck! Not sure which patterns to add to your collection? Well, keep reading to see why these 5 patterns are a great bargain!

*****GIVEAWAY CLOSED******

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Magical Metra Blazer ~ From Love Notions

NOW AVAILABLE~ LOVE NOTIONS SEWING COURSE FOR THE METRA! (See below for all the details, also make sure to use my discount code SEWMARY10 for an additional 10% off)

UPDATE: To see my newest Metra Blazers, visit this new blog post. HERE

First off, I just need to say that I had so much fun sewing this pattern! I purchased the Metra Blazer pattern when it first released, had it printed at the copy shop and then it just sat in my sewing room. What I love about Feature Fridays, is that as an ambassador I often try to sew one up so I can post about it and I am SO happy I did! WHY oh why did I wait so long to sew this up!?!?!?!

So trust me, if you haven’t sewn one, you need to! I made my wearable muslin~ which I actually LOVE and suddenly I wished I had sewn this so long ago! If you think you aren’t the blazer type of person, I would give this a try. I NEVER wore blazers, even before I retired and I want a closet full of them now!

Details

The Metra is a simple casual blazer with two collar options. You can choose between the classic shawl collar and the modern wide lapel collar. It features in seam welt pockets that are much easier to construct than you might think! What I love most about this pattern are the great construction techniques that help you create an amazing, clean inside finish. I love when the inside of a garment is as pretty as the outside!

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Fitting The New Fraser Cardigan

The New Fraser Cardigan from Love Notions is here! Buy the pattern now and sew up your own in time for the new season of Outlander coming on March 6! Be sure to scroll to the end for the pattern link and an extra discount coupon from me! The pattern is on sale all week for $9. (1/24/22-1/30/22)

I will be totally honest here, I have never worn a Cocoon style cardigan before. I always felt like they never fit me correctly and always looked a tad frumpy on me. This is what I love about being a Love Notions Ambassador, when testing new patterns, I am often pushed out of my comfort zone when it comes to styles. And I will also admit that I NEEDED to test this pattern since my family tree includes MacKenzies and Frasers(all you Outlander fans will understand that!)

Rather than just simply review this new pattern and give you all the details, I figured I would pass on my fitting tips for this cardigan. I hope you find them helpful, especially if you’re a “petite pear” like me!

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My Top 5 Love Notions Patterns

In honor of the 40% site wide sale over at Love Notions this week- I decided to give you a run down of the 5 Love Notions that I use the most! These are the patterns I use over and over again to create my wardrobe.

Make sure you read to the very end of this blog post for some really exciting news!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. Sloane Sweater

What I love about this pattern:

  • The versatility of this pattern is never ending!
  • Amazing options to choose from: hood, pockets, yoke, elbow patches, 2 body styles
  • Hackability: the Sloane is so easy and fun to hack.
  • Easy to achieve a good fit- it makes a great pattern to use for gifts

Click HERE to see my blog post all about my Sloanes. You can read about several hacks and RTW copycats that I have created. All the Sloanes below are made from sweater knit and are the ones I am wearing most this Fall. My blog post features Sloanes made with French Terry and other fabrics.

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The All New Arlington!

THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE LOVE NOTIONS FAMILY!

As a Love Notions Ambassador, I was able to get my hands on this new pattern before it was released. Let me tell you – it’s a pretty awesome pattern–one that so many have been asking for over and over! It is such a classic with enough options that take it from a basic turtleneck to something extra special!

THE DETAILS

The Arlington includes 3 body styles: shirt length, banded shirt and dress length. There are 3 necklines to choose from: Turtleneck, mock neck and cowl. It also has 5, yes 5 sleeve options: Long, Elbow, Short Puffed, Long Puffed and Bishop. With all these options there are so many different combinations you can make with just this one pattern! Talk about bang for your buck!

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Sloane Season Is Here!

GET READY FOR FALL WITH THE LOVE NOTIONS SLOANE SWEATER

Every fall I can’t wait to make a few new Love Notions Sloane Sweaters. Why should you want some Sloanes? Well, it’s a fast sew, beginner friendly, cute, flattering, and the options are endless, need I go on? Oh yeah, and it is such a fun pattern to hack! Did you know I’ve been called the “Sloane Queen”? Well believe me, I’m not the only one that loves this pattern- and soon I’m sure you’re going to love it too!

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