My Top 5 Love Notions Pattern Picks for "Pick Your Own" Feature Friday

[@susanstewart4044]

Perfectionism and not being in control of transportation… So glad to know that I am not alone in that. Though my husband was able to teach our daughter to drive. (Or she wouldn’t have learned because she was not listening to me at that stage of her life.)

[@TomKatStitchery]

It's so interesting. He has a really hard time flying as well for the same reason. It's a very interesting season over here 😂.

[@susanstewart4044]

@@TomKatStitchery I hated picking him up from airports for that reason. Thankfully, now he takes an Uber.

[@TomKatStitchery]

@@susanstewart4044 🤣 I get it!

[@sharonrimsza7960]

Ok, I finally broke down and bought the Glissando pants. I have most of Love Notions women’s patterns already. I will be using your tutorials to change out the button fly to a zip fly. I always have fabric because, well…I just can’t help myself. I am a hoarder (of many things) but I do try to make 3-4 items per week, I take a break and quilt a quilt or two. I have had to make a pact with myself that for every 5 clothing items I need to pull out one of my quilt tops and load it on the long arm and get it done. Like my coffee cup says: “so much fabric and so little time”. Next I will be working with several pieces of Chiffon and some embroidered lace. I love your channel Whitney. I just put in the very first invisible zipper, easy peasy, by watching your tutorial for the pietra shorts for your daughter. I have been sewing for well over 55+ years (I am in my late 60’s and still kicking) and I always just grabbed a 10 cent zipper. Yes, 10-25 cents. Now, I use invisible zippers when Possible. Thank you Whitney!!! Love Notions patterns are so wonderful. Easy to adjust and are made for real bodies. 👍😀❤️✅🩳

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm so glad you enjoyed this one!

[@michellem3899]

Oh the joy of teaching kids to drive!

[@TomKatStitchery]

It might actually kill me 😂.

[@beckyunderwood4220]

You are definitely not alone with the belly issue (fellow c-section and autoimmune person here). I wish more companies would offer the tummy support hack.

[@TomKatStitchery]

It really helped me get a good fit on the Glissandos!

[@raissadingmann5823]

Thank you for this awesome coupon, I got myself the Arlington.... Here in Florida I don't have much need for this however there are a few days in Dec & Jan it will come in handy. Oh I feel your pain we have 5 daughters that we endured drivers training with, and my husband was determined they were all going to learn how to drive a manual transmission because everyone should know how to drive one!!! Right....plus it was a suburban... Have a wonderful sewing weekend!

[@sharonrimsza7960]

And a bonus for knowing how to drive a manual transmission…no one is going to steal your car. You can drive anything. And you will enjoy driving, feeling the road and downshifting…so much fun. And from one Floridian to all my fellow Floridians…anything below 70 degrees F is life-threatening. Enjoy the Arlington. It is a fabulous pattern!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh my 😂. I remember learning to drive a manual. Thankfully, I don't have to teach them that!

[@patgottshalk8808]

I have been waiting to get the Allegro pattern, for reasons unknown I missed the boat on the last sale. I am glad to see it made your top 5 list. Great lipstick color on today's video. Have a great weekend.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much!

[@sewhappysarahr8912]

Great video, I love all of the patterns, but the Allegro pattern is my absolute fave of all of my sewing patterns. The woven joggers in rayon are beautiful! So versatile! I wish Love Notions would update the Glissandos with zip fly instructions. They actually do not have any women's patterns with a zip fly! We are sewists, we can do hard things! I love your tutorial, but having the written instructions is so much easier for me. I am actually currently sewing the Duets with a zip fly and adding your elastic hack in it.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good! Stay tuned on more zip fly pants coming from Love Notions . . .

[@deannasanft3683]

Whitney thank you, I always learn something valuable from you when you talk about sewing.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good! I'm so glad to hear that!

[@kathysmigen3927]

Thank you for the review of the patterns. I had my eye on the Glissando pants but do t like button flys so it was a relief to know you have done a tutorial on how to insert a zipper instead. Got right over to LN and purchased the Glissando’s. Your coupon was a nice Bennie!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@cherylallen3661]

Hi Whitney, I amso glad that I am able to talk with you. I am very glad your family's doing well. Have a great weekend 😀.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Aww! Thank you, Cheryl! I enjoy your comments as well!

[@noeleengayjess8416]

Oh my god, I have the same “Belly “ problem. No matter what I do it will not budge. Love your channel and your bubbly personality. Stay safe my friend. X

[@TomKatStitchery]

We can unite with our tummies 😂.

[@judymunroe1617]

Hi Whitney-you are so much fun to listen to-I can identify with many things you said-very entertaining! 😂 Plus I also benefited from your pattern reviews. 😘

[@dawnjeffersramstad8401]

Tutorial idea: how to line the Cadence. Bernadette Banner uses that a good deal in her recreations, I learned how to do it as a 4--Her in the 70's, I bet it would be a hit video on your channel.

[@TomKatStitchery]

That's a great one!

[@dawnjeffersramstad8401]

I did boring car knitting during my 3 kids' practice driving. It helped, and I have a great one skein 2-2 rib hat pattern if you need one.

[@TomKatStitchery]

@@dawnjeffersramstad8401 that’s a great idea!

[@nanrussell6423]

OK. You convinced me. With your tutorials on options for a zipper fly and elastic back waist, I am going for the Glissando. Also, the full tummy option is a plus. Thanks, Whitney.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good! I really love that pattern!

[@msullivan3531]

LOVE that dress skirt combo deal!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Right? Its so lovely that they can be mashed together!

[@karenbensdon4643]

Really enjoyed this walk-through of these pattern. I already own them but forgot about the Sybil skirt as an add on to a different t-shirt to turn into a dress.

[@juliegriswold-risley6790]

Hello! Great recommendations and explainations as well. I mostly collect patterns and after watching these types of videos often feel the need to make notes (but never do🤪). Hopefully I will get organized and actually make something one of these days. Good luck teaching your kiddos to drive. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into your videos.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much!

[@Escape10mom]

Yep, same here, I took all 3 of my kids out & helped them learn how to drive. Hoping to get my Stoller top finished this weekend. I've got an Aria cut out for my daughter as well. All of those Love Notions patterns are fantastic!!

[@TomKatStitchery]

I agree. I love Love Notions!

[@kathymattern544]

Whitney! Thank you so much for this video! I really, really enjoy all your videos, but today you totally touched a nerve with me. I already had 5 of the 6 patterns you talked about and I now have the 6th also. I shamefully admit that I own them but haven’t yet used any of them. All the adjustments/hacks/options that you talked about are things that I needed to hear and I can’t wait to get started on all that! Biggest problem I have now is figuring out which one to do first! LOL

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh great! I'm so glad this was a good video for you!

[@shirettejohnson8326]

Thanks for always giving such good ideas and being brave enough to be honest about bodies. Thanks again!

[@TomKatStitchery]

My pleasure!

[@pennymcdonald1723]

Feel your pain with the driver training. Here in Queensland, Australia, a learner driver has to complete a minimum of 100 hours of supervised driving before attempting to obtain a provisional licence.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh my! I thought 50 was going to be hard (per kid). I feel like the next 4 more months are going to be spent driving around my city 😂.

[@carolyngethings]

Appreciated the in-depth review of these patterns and learning about the fit details that you don't read on the front of the pattern. Trouble is you did such a great job that it's difficult to choose just one!! Thanks Whitney x

[@TomKatStitchery]

😂 I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@sherylvitosh7209]

My advice is to not just yell watch out, but to give a specific direction like my advice for the driving is to not just say (yell) “watch out!” But to give a specific direction like slow down, or stay in your lane, car stopped ahead. I remember having my daughter when we lived in Houston get on the highway using the acceleration ramp and then off at the next exit and back on again over and over so she could learn about on ramps and merging.

[@TomKatStitchery]

That's a great idea! The highways scare me the most, but they have to learn how to do them!

[@enahitt]

i have all the patterns you are showing and love them all, was hard to pick a pattern today because i own so many of the love notion patterns already .

[@TomKatStitchery]

I completely get that!

[@adrianamitte5991]

Congratulations Whitney😀 many blessings. 🙏🏼

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much!

[@leannsews]

That's great. I have been wanting to get the Aria so this is a wonderful opportunity! I have 4 out of the 5 you've suggested and they're all really good patterns. Always enjoy your videos 🦋 Thank you and Love Notions for this opportunity.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm so glad you enjoyed this one!

[@alexandrawellington8028]

Haha the tummy thing...my girlfriend and I call it our pouch, regardless of what weight we are!!!! Teaching kids to drive is thang that is scary and scarring! xxx

[@TomKatStitchery]

Yep! It is definitely my pouch! 😂

[@denisedorsey2889]

Thanks for this overview of these great patterns. I “discovered” LN through your channel when I decided to sew my own clothes during lockdown. I have to say that I’m finally confident enough to sew up my Lyric dress in a linen rayon blend purchased two years ago! Your tutorials on darts and button holes have come in handy. I did 3 toiles to get the bodice fit just right. Pretty proud of myself! The Rhapsody, still haven’t been successful getting it to work for me. That neckline! I’ll have to rewatch your videos…Question for you: what is the origin of the name TomKat Stitchery? Thanks for all you do for the sewing community. ❤

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm so glad to read this! This makes me so happy! TomKat is a combination of my twins' names. TomKat Stitchery was my custom sewing and alteration business before the channel and it just stuck!

[@denisedorsey2889]

@@TomKatStitchery Oh, I love this! It just makes TomKat so much better! Thanks💕

[@krisl.4962]

Thanks Whitney, this was a fun reminder of what I should be doing with the patterns I already own! I’ll go look at my wish list for a new pattern :) Have a great weekend!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@glorialafollette61]

I don’t know what’s different but your eyes look amazing. Maybe it’s the color of your top.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you! It's crazy what wearing "my colors" does to my eye color. I always thought my eyes were more gray than blue, but wearing my colors definitely makes them blue.

[@coachcasey9823]

The Allegro is my TNT! I made a cargo jogger version out of rayon for the summer and I wear them all of the time. I can usually get a pair of shorts out of the extra pant yardage, too. Thank you for igniting my Love Notions obsession ☺️

[@coachcasey9823]

Haha, I am the uber-patient parent in the family but it’s my not-at-all patient husband who is the best driving coach! That suits me just fine because getting in the car with my kids behind the wheel is not easy for me!

[@TomKatStitchery]

It is not easy for me either! I'm going to have an ulcer the size of my head when this is over 😂.

[@Cynthia2v]

I made the Allegro joggers in a knit. I loved the pocket and waistline detail but found the taper in the legs too fitted for my preference and I used a stable knit. Lucky daughter gets this pair, and my next will have a wider leg probably in a lighter weight knit(sweater). I only say this as I don’t have heavy legs, but we’ll defined calves. Just my opinion, as others may like the fit.

[@TomKatStitchery]

This is great. I also have very shapely calves so I might have the same issue. I may adjust before I make mine up!

[@teresastevens2084]

Thank you for the $5 off Love Notions coupon, Whitney! Since I’ve collected every single LN ladies pattern, I thought I’d give their men’s Dockside Polo a whirl for my husband. He lives in polo shirts and at $100+ a pop, I think I can do better sans embroidered logo! Now, off to do some online fabric shopping as I have no appropriate fabric for a men’s garment! Wearing a lot of different hats (as Mom, Wife, Sister, Daughter, Friend, Business Owner/Employee…) is what we do and we do it pretty darn well. You seem to handle it very well despite adding more to your plante recently. My husband worked with our son all those years ago and, despite being an ultra-perfectionist himself, our son responded to his directions better than mine. I know what you mean about getting back into the “school year” routine. High School years seem to go by so much more quickly and before you know it, they’ll be off to college! Another one of life’s adjustments! Looking forward to your Destashify fabric haul and makes! ❤️

[@TomKatStitchery]

Aww! Thank you, Teresa. I need that reminder because it is going by SO fast!

[@anneinstx1969]

Enjoyed the overview of the patterns. Learned some good things about how they fit, which is encouraging to me to try the pants patterns especially. Had to LOL about the driver training. I well remember my daughter's time in the late 80's. We had only stick shift vehicles so that's what she had to learn on. I gulped a couple times when she stalled the car, and killed the engine, in the middle of the intersection where 5 roads came together. Thankfully it was rural and there was no traffic approaching, but that could have changed at any time. Lastly, I have a question about weights of denims. I don't know what ounce weight to buy. I want something that would make good jeans. I'm afraid to order, because I don't want stiff heavy denim and I don't know how to translate the ounces weight into what it would feel like. But I also want it heavy enough that it looks like it's meant to be jeans. Can you do something about various denims? Am looking forward to the rayon vlogs. Thanks for all you share.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I can definitely do a video on denim here soon! My daughter is wanting some jeans this Fall so I'll have some on my cutting table soon. A video about different denims is a great idea!

[@anneinstx1969]

@@TomKatStitchery That will be awesome. Thanks!

[@elsiebulva7872]

There is an acceptable term for what you were calling your problem in the mIddle. Its called an abdominal fold and many people have it🙂

[@TomKatStitchery]

Ahh! Thank you! I figured there was a proper term 😂.

[@victoriahannah1633]

Love the fashions on you they all look so good. My dad took me to the graveyard at first to teach me to drive. When I asked him why the graveyard he told me, Well if you do hit someone chances are they’re already dead. I have those belly issues too. C-section from 9.8 lb. Breech then another surgery for tumor on my ovary & other issues. Split from my navel all way down . So I have a butt in the front. Aren’t we glad for elastic,mesh , and body shapers

[@barbarataylor8101]

I'm in Texas and it's hotter than Satan's house cat. New to your channel, so glad I found ya. Do I always need to cut my cotton on the bias? If so, do you have any tricks for cutting pieces?

[@TomKatStitchery]

It depends on what you're cutting out. Most pieces get cut on the straight grain or cross grain. However, if you are making bias strips that need to go around curves, then yes, those need to be cut on the bias to take advantage of the curving properties!

[@PeteJustPete]

Thank you for the Glissando tip about the full belly pattern piece! I haven’t had kids but I’ve always had a belly bump from the time I was a malnourished toddler. Do you think it would look okay if you blend the Tessa and Sybil to omit the waist seam?

[@TomKatStitchery]

I think you could definitely mess around with the Tessa and Sybil to omit the waist seam! That actually sounds like a fun challenge!

[@paulasydney]

I tried using the code and it didn't work. I added it to the Aria Button down shirt and Tunic. I don't know why? I tried multiple times. Not sure if anyone else had a problem? Maybe because I'm in Australia and the time had cut off already but your video was posted less than 23 hours ago so ? Anyways, just thought I'd mention it. Love the patterns you picked. I have them all. I'm a HUGE fan of Love Notion Patterns 😊

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh bummer! The sale ended at 11:59 CST. Love Notions is 1 hour behind New York. Their Friday sale goes from midnight Friday morning to 11:59pm CST on that same Friday. That gets confusing with all the time zones!

[@cherylp.3347]

Hi. We’ve got one more of ours to teach to drive, it’s a nerve racking job. Hey, I tried the coupon but it didn’t work. Sadly I must’ve missed it. I get confused about the time frame here in NZ. I know I have to buy on our Saturday, I tried but it’s later in the day here. Can you tell me what time zone in the US that LN uses? Then I can mentally try and remember that for future purchases. Though it’s probably on their website. Thanks

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh bummer! Love Notions is in Central Time Zone so 1 hour behind New York. I hope that helps for the future!

[@cherylp.3347]

@@TomKatStitchery thanks!

[@Lorij83]

Do any of the other pants patterns come with a full tummy adjustment?

[@monikadoro2976]

Yes, I am wondering this as well...Or...can the full tummy adjustment easily translate to the other pants patterns?

[@TomKatStitchery]

Just the Glissando have the full tummy adjustment included. However, it is an easy adjustment to make on other pants patterns.

[@camille.c]

hi Whitney, out of curiosity do you know why Love Notions' size range starts at a 33" bust? most places seem to start more around 30-32" with the corresponding waist measurements. it's one of the reason i've never seriously looked into LN's patterns even though they seem really great about options... grading down 2 or more sizes just sounds like too much effort 😅

[@TomKatStitchery]

I totally get that! I'm not sure why their size chart starts at 33". It might not hurt to reach out to them so they are aware there is a need!

[@susan571]

A little off topic but do you have a preferred men's button up or down shirt pattern?

[@TomKatStitchery]

We have tried a few different men's patterns and I think the Thread Theory Fairfield is my favorite one.

[@susan571]

@@TomKatStitchery Thanks!

[@anessaharris9947]

🇨🇦😃

[@TomKatStitchery]

❤️❤️❤️