Designer Spotlight--Tami of Love Notions

Today we have another great installment of our Designer Spotlight...this time we have Tami, of Love Notions. She has been a favorite here at Sew Cool because she not only designs trendy looks for tweens, but they truly are easy to sew and oh so comfortable. My daughters can attest to that. So I present to you Tami and her pattern line, Love Notions.

How would you describe Love Notions patterns/brand?

I want the Love Notions brand to bring to mind trendy, easy to sew, easy to wear patterns focusing on knits. I design for girls, boys and ladies but those ‘inbetween girls’ are my sweet spot.
 

Girls La Bella Tunic with hood

What makes Love Notions patterns unique/stand out?

My vision for LN was to be a user friendly pattern, focusing on sewing with knits. I especially like to focus on the older girls since I have one and I see a void in the marketplace for clothing that she’d be happy to wear.
 

Love Notions Wrigley Raglan Tee and Dress

How long have you been designing patterns?

I have been designing patterns for just over a year. I got started with the digital drafting and grading part by taking the Pattern Workshop course by Lauren Dahl. I highly recommend it, it was exactly what I needed to take the leap into pattern design after doing everything by hand for years.

What made you start?

I got my start back in 2004 when I launched my custom clothing business Dunk-n-Fluff. At that time my daughter was just a few months old and I need to find more cloth diapering friendly clothing. Since then my business evolved as she grew and then finally I made the leap into offering my original designs as patterns for everyone. Mallory is now eleven. She’s been my inspiration from the start and continues to be my guiding light. Kind of crazy how I’ve gone from making her cloth diapers, baby clothes to toddler dresses and now to trendy clothes that she admires.

Posh Popover Maxi Dress

Where do you turn for inspiration?

I get my inspiration from several places. I get a lot of children’s clothing magazines (Tea, Hanna Andersen, Osh Kosh, etc.). I also hunt through Pinterest for fun ideas. Once I zero in on a design I like the look of I’ll call Mallory in and ask her if she would wear it. As a general rule, I won’t design anything I wouldn’t let my daughter wear as far as modesty goes.

What's the most challenging part of designing patterns?

Time management! I love the actual process of designing a pattern, sewing samples, even testing. It’s fitting it all in while still being a mom, wife and primary housekeeper that’s challenging. I’m not going to lie, nine times out of ten I have a couch full of laundry waiting to be folded and put away!

Maxx-ine Slim Fit Pants

Why do you focus on tween sizes?

It’s what I know! And it helps that I have a live-in model that is usually very compliant. She knows when I call for her while I’m in my sewing room I need her help with fitting or her advice. I also think there’s a gap in the tween market so I’m doing my best to help fill it.

What's coming down the road from Love Notions?

I like to fly by the seat of my pants. I rarely have a plan for what I’m doing for the next week, much less months. My goal is to release a new pattern every month. I also want to focus more on the blog aspect and do a few tutorial, hacks and mash-ups. Something fun, for sure!

Bluezette Dress for Girls

Of the thirty plus patterns I've publishes so far, here are me and Mallory's favorite 'tween patterns:

La Bella Top & Tunic, Maxx-ine Pants & Skirt, Wrigley Raglan, Posh Popover Collection, Bluezette Dress.

Go-to 'tween patterns from Love Notions

Thank you so much Tami! It's always fun to get to know a little more about the ins and outs of what goes on behind the scenes, so to say.

On top of introducing you to a great pattern line, we also have a give-a-way. Tami has generously offered one of each of the 5 patterns shown above to one of our readers...that's 5 amazing patterns!!!!  (You have one week to enter)

a Rafflecopter giveaway