Hello, I’m Melissa from the blog mahlicadesigns. I’m a stay at home parent of a charming and adorable five year old boy, I work part time for an insurance agent, and I sew as much as I can in my free time. I started my sewing journey as a quilter and transitioned to sewing garments in earnest about 5 years ago, but it’s only been a short while that I have been won over by the idea of a Tried ‘N’ True pattern.
When I was a new sewist, I found myself in an expanding world of possibilities to start building my wardrobe and I wanted to try them all. Can you identify? The drive to sew through a growing pattern stash, to try new designers, and to push myself to try new skills coupled perfectly with my natural desire for variety in my wardrobe. Having multiples of anything doesn’t appeal to me in the least. I think you could say I have a big collection of one hit wonders.
My conversion (it’s all about the fit).
In my early sewing, fitting a pattern to my shape wasn’t even on my radar, so any pattern that was a dud I just chalked up to the pattern being “off”. Occasionally I did find something that fit well, but I was not wise enough to note what was making the difference.
Slowly though, I started to pick up fitting tips from other sewists and worked to integrate them into my sewing. I also started to pay more attention to silhouettes that I liked on my body and began to focus on making those looks.
At the end of 2015, I met the Georgia Top from Blue Dot Patterns. The Georgia was easy for me to adjust and was a styling hit for me with that dolman sleeve and banded bottom. I’d never before been excited to make a pattern again and quickly worked out my ideas to make more versions.
The Georgia taught me that once I have a great fitting pattern, I can modify it to achieve my sewing inspirations. I’ve been adding great fitting patterns to my TNT repertoire like the Chi Town Chinos, the Liana Jeans, and the Ally skirt. Thanks to my collection of TNTs, I have the ability to easily add to my wardrobe without the worry of spending my time on a dud.
Have you been won over by TNTs or are you still working through the one hit wonders?
Hi! I’ve only really started seeing the potential of TNTs this last year as I’ve finally honed in on my style. Like you, before I was just to excited to try ALL THE THINGS! Now I have more confidence hacking patterns to my needs, and am working on finding TNTs for all garment categories. Shirts are up next…
Anna-Jo I think you’ve hit on a key point, that it’s very helpful to understand your personal style. Like you, shirts are still a TNT need for me. Looking back I have a few contenders that I’ve already made, but need to make some tweeks first.
I definitely have changed my thinking from my earlier sewing days on TNTs. I used to think that making the same patterns over and over would get boring. But a good fit can definitely change everything, and I’ve found that I’m more drawn to silhouettes that mix and match better now, with prints and pattern hacking to keep it fresh. And for stuff like pants, I’m honestly ok with fitting one (or two) and done! Having two babies less than two years apart unfortunately means that the TNTs I had before aren’t working for me now, so I’m working on trying to come up with/refit a new set. With as little sewing time as I get right now, I honestly need projects I can make quickly with consistently good results!
Becky, it was having a child and a new body afterward that kickstarted my sewing five years ago. It is discouraging to have to restart your wardrobe, but you have a leg up with your experience and I hope some of your previous TNTs will still work for you after a little refitting.
Melissa I love seeing all your “hack” jobs on your patterns. In the older days I could do that now I j u st admire what you can do with a pattern. Your wardrobe looks good and will only get better.
Thank you very much Nancy. I’ve improved a lot in the last few years.
Once you find a TNT pattern, there’s very little motivation to try another because the fit might not be right, or a myriad of other issues. I’m all for TNT patterns too.
I’m always too tempted to give “new” patterns a try. I do blame the pattern company for bad fittings. Why do some indie patterns fit so perfectly and others consistently fit “off”. I just started sewing for me. I’ve sewn for my family (husband, children, in laws) for over 41 years. I find “me” sewing much more challenging, so far I only have 1 TNT!! ;o) Love the Cashmerette Springfield top.
Eliz, I wish you luck as you work on finding more TNTs. Meg from Cookin & Craftin often sews from Cashmerette, perhaps some of what she makes would work for you too.
TNT’s give me life! I almost hate opening a new pattern envelope because I know that I will have to work through all of my fitting challenges…whereas when I use a TNTpattern – all I have to do is sew whatever I can dream up! I’m so thrilled that you’ve joined the TNT camp – it’s a lot of fun over here and I can see loads of amazing new garments in your future!
I don’t think I’m as far along in my skills to alter patterns as you are. I still feel like I need to purchase patterns about 50% of the time to achieve a look I’m going for and sometimes it’s just easier to buy an inexpensive big 4 pattern that is really close and then make a few tweaks. I’m not discouraged by this, it’s just where I am now, but I can see me getting further along in my skills and needing less patterns.
I’m a huge fan of TNT’s too and I love what you do with your favorite patterns. Our time is limited so it’s nice to start with a “template” that already fits and is flattering so we have more time to be creative. I’m honored to have my patterns included on the list! You’re the best!
Thanks Diane. Your patterns have been great for me on their own and great for what I can make them into. Praises for Blue Dot Patterns.
I like trying new patterns but sometimes when I find I would like a certain colour or print added to my wardrobe I always go to a TNT pattern!
Isn’t that one of the wonderful parts of a TNT, we can rely on them to give us just what we want.
I used to approach fitting by trial and error making numerous small changes to the garment itself. This was a very tedious process. It was a hallelujah moment for me when I learned to transfer those changes to the pattern pieces so I can replicate the fit of a pattern that worked for me, and not have to start from scratch every single time. When I first came across the term TNT in blogs I didn’t get it, but I sure do now.
Great post. This just makes me feel like I need to do better Sewing for myself. This was very motivating.
I could use some likewise motivation for developing some TNTs for my little one. You can see where my focus is.
I need to be better at identifying and sticking with TNTs. I know I could hack my way to happiness with just a few patterns. Plus, I spend A LOT of time printing, taping, and tracing patterns… and only sewing them once.
I don’t mind the process of assembling PDF patterns, but I have been discouraged lately when I look at a pile of paper that is going to eat my time. Pulling out an existing pattern saves me at minimum 30 minutes. I’m on team cut ’cause tracing is a time suck that rarely pays off for me.
I definitely need to work on my TNT 🙂 I always have trouble rethinking the pattern into other ideas to make it more fun, but you have managed that part very creatively.