…Spring 2024 40% Off Sale
This week, April 29 – May 3, 2024, all Love Notions patterns and courses(excluding the Crescendo Jeans) 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 10LOVEMARY which will give you an additional 10% off the sale prices.
Which Patterns Should You Buy?
Need help deciding which patterns to grab during this sale? First, I recommend buying the recent new releases (except Crescendo Jeans) such as the Encore Skirt, Clef Coat ( Bass and Treble Clefs too), and the Aurora Tunic and dress. These patterns may have released during the Winter months, however they all work perfectly for Summer too!
This is also a great time to pick up any of the recent $5 Feature Friday patterns that you may have missed. Patterns are only featured for $5 once a year, so if you missed one~ now is the time to grab it! The Willow Wrap Dress, Vivace, Aria Button Down and Tinley were all recently featured and are so perfect for Summer!
I’m so excited for Summer to get here, and I’ve just about finished all the sewing for my vacations. My husband and I tend to stay home during the winter months (he’s a New Englander and loves the cold). When June comes I am ready to visit my favorite summer spots!
Where Are My Love Notions Makes Going?
- First up is my beach vacation with my sister in Cape May, NJ. Even though I live at the beach year round, we take this little getaway every year together. It is located at the southern tip of NJ and is the cutest Victorian town with the best beaches! I simply need beach coverups and bike riding clothes along with some casual dresses for dinners. It’s basically an “eating vacation” ~ think crab cakes, Kohrs Frozen Custard and Homemade Fudge. LN has me covered with the Aurora, Tinley and Laundry Day Tee dresses.
2. Every August we go to Coastal Maine for 2 weeks. I need plenty of clothes that are packable and don’t need ironing. I need casual and comfortable clothes for our active days. Dinners are a mixture of casual (think lobster shacks) and upscale. I’ve made some Willow Wrap dresses that are perfect~ no ironing!
3. September is my favorite getaway of all. There is nothing better than a late summer visit to Block Island! (an island off the coast of Rhode Island and Connecticut). We ride our bike all over the island! All my LN makes will be great for “the Block” but especially my Tinley Skirts/skorts, La Bella Donna tops, Aria button downs and my new Clef Coat.
The LN Patterns I’ve Used For My Vacation Wardrobe
1. Willow Wrap Dress
WHY?
- The Willow Wrap is flattering on everyone! It’s a quick sew and beginner friendly too!
- Easy to pack
- Can be made in fabrics that don’t wrinkle
- Comfortable!!
This Kelly green version is made from Jude Connally Designer deadstock fabric. A dress in this exact fabric is available on her website for $218! This was purchased from Surge Fabrics and is still available along with several others from this designer. This is a nylon spandex tricot. It is very similar to swim fabric but a bit lighter weight.
This Timeless Geometric print fabric is an ITY jersey knit. It’s so cool to the touch, it’s perfect for warm summer nights. It’s like wearing secret pajamas! This fabric is from Zelouf Fabrics. They are a great source for ITY knit. I ordered a pair of bright pink espadrilles to wear with this dress (and with my bright pink sweater for chilly nights).
Another great fabric option for the Willow wrap is DPB. You can see my DBP version in the blog listed below. That dress will most likely be coming on my 2 week vacation.
You can grab the Willow Wrap Dress pattern HERE.
2. Aurora Tunic and Dress
WHY?
- 3/4 Sleeve tunic version is perfect for cool evenings. (Very common on the New England Coast)
- The tunic can be easily lengthen to create THE perfect beach coverup.
- Can look dressy, but it so comfortable!
- Forgiving~ after all those meals out!
I made this white textured knit Aurora tunic during testing. This was just a knit I had in my stash that I used to make a wearable muslin. As soon as it was done, I knew that it was going to be perfect for my summer vacations! Unfortunately , I don’t has a fabric resource for you.
This is another 3/4 sleeve tunic version. Evenings on the New England Coast get very cool. Sleeves are almost always needed. That’s why I decide to sew up another of this version. This is another Jude Connally designer deadstock fabric from Surge fabrics. This Seashell and Coral print is a matte nylon spandex tricot fabric that is a bit heavier than the green bamboo print. I debated between the Aurora and a Tinley skort for this fabric.
One thing I need plenty of in my summer wardrobe is beach coverups. I always need to take several on vacation, since I don’t do laundry when I’m away! I also need them since I live at the beach. To me, the most important thing about a beach coverup is pockets! I like to be able to leave my beach bag on the beach and throw my wallet, keys and phone in my pockets. The Aurora pockets hold all of that perfectly!
Both of these coverups are made from Cotton Spandex French Terry from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. At the bottom of this post I have all my fabric resources listed.
You can purchase the Aurora pattern HERE.
Visit this blog post to see how I altered the Aurora tunic to make the perfect beach coverup!
3. Tinley Skirt/Skort
WHY?
- Casual and comfortable
- Great alternative to shorts
- Perfect for bike riding and hiking
- Super quick sew
The straight skirt option of the Tinley is my alternative to shorts. I simply don’t wear shorts~ I don’t find them comfortable and I hate how they bunch up on me! To me, the Tinley straight skirt is cooler and more comfortable to wear. The above version are all made from cotton blends. All three fabrics are designer headstocks purchased from Chic Fabrics in NYC.
The Pink Geometric is a lightweight stretch cotton poplin, the Blue and Yellow printed patchwork is a lightweight cotton twill and the blue tropical print is a mid to heavy weight stretch twill. The straight skirt is perfect for fabrics that have a bit more structure to them.
The Tinley Skort made from Swim fabric is perfect for busy active days when on vacation. We always take our bikes with us and ride them everywhere, especially on Block Island. The swim knit is cool to the touch and UPF 50 so it’s perfect for hot sunny days. I used cotton lycra for the shorts underneath.
I use these on vacation for bike riding and hiking. When home, they are perfect for pickleball and even Zumba!
You can grab the Tinley pattern here.
I’ve written 2 blog posts about the Tinley.
- This blog post discusses how I’ve altered the pattern to fit my petite plus size shape.
- This blog post reviews the different fabric choices I’ve used for my Tinleys.
4. Vivace Top
WHY?
- Cool and Breezy to wear
- More elevated than a plain tee
- Goes from walking/hiking/bike riding to a cafe for lunch
- Great wardrobe basic in solid colors~ this is in my future plans
Both of these Vivaces are made with Rib Knit from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. This is one of my favorite fabrics to work with. Even though it is polyester, I find it cool to wear. It also doesn’t wrinkle! A lot of sewists love rayon spandex, but I find it wrinkles when packed and it is just too clingy for me.
I love how both of these Vivaces are casual, cool and comfortable. They are perfect for long days of travel.
For more fabric details, see the Fabric Resources at the end of this blog post.
You can grab the Vivace Dolman pattern here.
Visit this blog post for some sewing tips for the Vivace Top.
5. La Bella Donna Top
WHY?
- Great Basic
- Great for layering
- Great alternative to a basic Tee
- Dolman sleeve is cooler for hot and humid weather.
- Comfortable to wear
- Looks great tucked in or out
- Super quick sew
- Beginner friendly!
I have a closet full of striped and patterned La Bella Donnas.(You can see them in the blog post linked below). This Spring I decided I needed to have some solid color LBDs to wear with my new Caprice skirts. This white one is from the dreamiest Cotton Modal fabric from Stylemaker Fabrics. The light Coral version is a slub knit from Cali Fabrics. Both of these will get worn constantly this summer. I will definitely be making a few more solid color versions.
You can see in my Tinley photos, that I am wearing a LBD in every photo!
You can grab the La Bella Donna pattern HERE
Visit this blog post to read more details on my La Bella Donna Collection.
If you look at my La Bella Donnas closely, you might notice that I do my neckline a bit differently. I like to finish my necklines with a binding folded to the outside/right side. This is just my personal preference. I feel it gives my LBDs a more RTW finish. It’s really very simple and just a way to personalize your tops to your preferences. The blog post above explains how I like to do the binding on my neckline.
6. Clef Coat
WHY?
- New England mornings and evenings require a sweatshirt or coat!
- Clef is great for heavy or lightweight fabrics.
When I tested the Clef Coat back in January, I KNEW that I was going to make more! I used up Joann’s fleece scraps to create my color blocked version. This will come in handy for early morning hikes in Coastal Maine. At the end of last summer I grabbed this Patchwork Madras from Cali Fabrics not knowing what I would sew with it. I decided as soon as I sewed up my first tester version of the Clef that this fabric was meant to be a Clef.
I have been wearing it constantly since I made it 2 weeks ago! I lined this version with Loop Terry from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. Be sure to check back later this week for a blog post explaining how I lined the collared version of the Clef Coat.
You can purchase the Clef Coat HERE.
Click HERE to read all about my Clef Coats I made during testing.
Be on the look out for a post later this week, explaining how I lined my newest Clef Coat.
7. Laundry Day Tee Dress
WHY?
- It’s FREE (Join Facebook Group and get the code)
- Cool and Comfortable to wear
- Can be dressed up or down
- Multi purpose
- Goes from day to night easily
- The fit~ it flatters everyone!
- Quick and easy to sew
I absolutely adore making the LDT in swim fabric. It’s the perfect dress for a hot day! I wear them for walks on the beach, bike rides in hot weather, and even out to lunch! I wear my sleeveless LDT dresses as beach coverups, to the water park with my little niece and nephew and even just for lounging. They are the coolest thing I have in my closet. This is a custom printed swim fabric from Raspberry Creek Fabrics.
Mother Nature was teasing us last week with some warm weather~ I went to the beach for photos. The surfers were out~ but it was a tad windy. Looks like we will have some beach weather this week though!! The water is way too cold to attempt~ so I often just go to the beach in one of my sleeveless LDT dresses for just an hour or two. There is nothing more relaxing than the sound of the waves!
Last summer I sewed up a LDT dress in the softest Loop Terry from Raspberry Creek Fabrics to use as a beach coverup. However, it quickly became my favorite lounge dress. I took this on vacation with me last summer~ and I have ordered more in a bright magenta so I can make another one. I loved throwing this dress on after a long day of exploring, kayaking, or shopping. I would put this on and sit out on the deck or lay on the lounge chairs. I may have even taken a nap it in.
I made this pink floral LDT from a rib knit last summer and it will be going on vacation with me again this year. It is cool and cuddly at the same time. This is so easy to pack, just roll it up and squish it into your suitcase. This fabric is from Mily Mae and is no longer available. Raspberry Creek fabrics has a great selection of Rib knits (see fabric resources below).
You can grab the Laundry Day Tee dress pattern HERE. Be sure to use the code given out in the Facebook Group to receive it for free.
8. Aria Button Down
WHY?
- Great layering piece
- Classic and Preppy~ perfect for New England vacations
- Perfect when worn open over the LBD
I LOVE sewing and wearing the Aria in linen! It may wrinkle, but the coolness of it totally makes up for the wrinkles. I made this white linen version last summer, and I took it on all my vacations. I had the color blocked linen version on my “to-sew” list since last summer, so it was the very first Spring garment I sewed up. This linen is from GrayLines Linen in the NYC Garment District.
The blue rayon tencel chambray version is one of my most worn Arias. It goes on almost every getaway with me, so I know I will be taking it with me again this year. This was a stash fabric, but you should be able to find something similar.
All of these Arias were worn over a LBD top.
Nervous about sewing a button down? Grab the Aria Course during the sale! It’s like having your own sewing instructor holding your hand from beginning to end. You can find the Aria Course HERE.
To read all about the Aria, and how I adjust it to fit my petite pear shape, visit this blog post.
9. SNEAK PEEK~ THE BRAND NEW CAPRICE SKIRT!
Both of these Caprice skirts are paired with a white La Bella Donna. On the right is the brand new Cotton Modal version I made this week. On the left is a white rib knit version, that is actually a size smaller than I measure. It is perfect for layering underneath my denim jacket.
The Caprice skirt will be releasing the last day of the sale, Friday, May 3. Paired with the La Bella Donna it is the PERFECT skirt to wear driving to our destinations! I’ve made so many versions of it already and I have a few more planned. The skirt will be on sale for a week for $9.50. It is not included in this sale, but you can use my discount code~ 10LOVEMARY.
You will be able to find the Caprice Skirt HERE on Friday.
Be sure to check my blog out on Friday, as I will have a brand new blog post all about the Caprice. I’m also including a fast and simple way to line a georgette skirt.
My plan this year is to hopefully create a post/reel for each vacation/getaway featuring all my Love Notions makes “in the wild”. Be sure to keep an eye out for them.
Still Need More Help?
Back in 2021, I wrote up this blog post about my Top 5 Love Notions patterns. Check them out HERE.
Want to sew up a “Coastal Preppy” wardrobe? Check out this blog post.
Want to get the most bang for your buck? Check out this blog post to find out which Love Notions patterns give you the most bang for your buck.
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! I hope I’ve inspired you to sew up a few new vacation pieces for your wardrobe!
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.
You can purchase any Love Notions patterns HERE. Remember this sale includes the sewing courses as well!
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 prices, use this coupon code 10LOVEMARY. This coupon code can be used at anytime on any pattern….even a $5 Feature Friday pattern. And yes, it CAN be used during ANY 40% off sale! This code changes quarterly. If you find this code isn’t working, be sure to visit my latest blog post for the updated code.
I am currently a Love Notions Ambassador. I am given access to all new patterns for free. I purchased some of the patterns above on my own before becoming an ambassador. As always all opinions are my own.
Fabric Resources
NYC Garment District: I pick up a lot of designer deadstock fabrics from the Garment District in NYC. I am lucky to live about an hour away and I often take the bus in to meet up with my daughters who live and work there. These are a few of my favorites shop if you ever have a chance to visit.
- Chic Fabrics~ You can follow them on Instagram, @chicfabric
- Metro Textile ~ has an online shop
- ADK Fabrics
- Gray Line Linens
Cali Fabrics is a family owned business that always finds great designer deadstock fabrics. I would sign up for their newsletter because sometimes the quantities of these fabrics are limited.
The Nantucket Patchwork Madras plaid was advertised in one of their newsletters last summer and I grabbed this fabric immediately~ not having any idea what I wanted to do with it! So unfortunately this fabric isn’t available right now.
The light coral slub knit I used for my La Bella Donna is still available. It is a designer deadstock fabric, so you never know how long it will be around. This fabric is light and airy~ perfect for hot weather. You can find it here.
Jude Connally Deadstock Fabrics~ there are about 30 different fabrics available. This are such high quality fabrics. Check out the Jude Connally website.
Kelly Green Bamboo Lattice Nylon Spandex Tricot~ there are still a few yards available.
“Scuba Adventure”- shell and coral print Matte Nylon Spandex Tricot~ as of Sunday 4/28 there were just 3 yards available.
Zelouf Fabrics: Is a great source for ITY knits. They are located in the garment district of NYC and fabrics ship very quickly.
Navy Timeless Geo Print ITY. This print also comes in Kelly green and bright pink.
Stylemaker Fabrics: My Go-To Fabric shop for Cotton Modal Jersey.
This cotton modal may be a tad more expensive than some other fabrics, but believe me it is worth it!! The plus is that the LBD can be made in 1- 1.5 yards. This fabric is 62″ wide and is available in 23 colors! You can find the white Cotton Modal Jersey Knit fabric HERE.
Cotton Spandex French Terry
This is my favorite source for French Terry. Every season new prints are offered. You can also custom print on these fabrics as well. The choices are endless!!!
The Green Palm leaf French Terry is from a few seasons ago, but it can be custom ordered. You can find this fabric HERE.
The Seaside Collection Light Blue, Red and White Large Abstract Floral French Terry is from the 2024 Patriotic collection and can be found HERE.
Swim Knits
I also love the knit Swim fabric from RCF. This fabric sews up the best Tinley Skort/Skirt and Laundry Day Tee dresses. Raspberry Creek Fabrics Swim knit is high quality and UPF 50+. It’s the perfect weight for tops, skirts and dresses and isn’t too clingy. And of course- it’s perfect for swimsuits! The best thing about RCF Swim is that it is available in the cutest prints with coordinating checks, stripes, polka dots and solids! I also find RCF swim easy to sew with. It’s thick enough that the edges don’t roll and isn’t too slippery.
Every year a new collection of swim knits is released. You can also have any design in the Designer Studio printed on swim.
The Navy Floral Tinley skirt fabric is from a few seasons ago.
The Navy Abstract Shell swim knit is from the 2024 Swim Collection. All designs in this collection can be ordered in either swim knit or board short fabric. You can find that fabric HERE.
The large Bright Pink Floral fabric I used for my new Laundry Day Tee dress “coverup” was custom printed. It is from the Cheryl Graham Studio. You can find that design HERE.
Rib Knits
RCF always has a big selection of Rib Knits available. The available prints change with the different season, however you can alway have any design from the Designer Studio printed.
The Bright Coral design was custom printed. This is from the Designer Studio of Cheryl Graham. I have had several of her designs printed because they are very “Lilly P’ like. You can find this print HERE.
The Seagull print is from a few seasons ago and has been sitting in my stash just waiting for me to decide what it wanted to be.
Loop French Terry
I used the white Loop French Terry for the lining of my Clef Coat. You can find that HERE.
The. Laundry day tee dress/coverup was sewn up in the Mint. You can find that HERE.
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