In my previous post I mentioned flippantly that I had used this pattern nine times, well I was wrong! I have made ten dresses using this fantastically versatile pattern, or at least using key elements of it… and I like to think that the different fabric choices and other little twists have given each one their own distinct personality, so each one stands out as being different from the others in some way.
Below is version 1, never appeared here on the blog before.. because this is the best picture I have of it, and I no longer have the dress, unfortunately! It was made straight -up to the pattern with no changes. The fabric was quite interesting; white cotton with red taffeta ribbon sewn through in a criss-cross fashion just like a corset lacing, and also blue fabric cut into strips and sewn through the fabric in a running stitch (difficult to describe)
Version 2, I still have, but have been using it as my painting dress for a few years. Hmmm, taking real good care of my dresses, huh?? but anyway I was a bit over it and needed a painting dress sooo (blush) at least it is getting worn still, right? The dress part is quilting cotton, printed with golden wattle (Australia’s national floral emblem), the bodice is denim, lined with green and white gingham, which is the fabric I used for the pocket flaps also. The little pockets have a pleat in them, and buttons from my grandmother’s stash, which will be retrieved before the dress is given the final heave-ho, don’t worry. I ran a naive style, pale yellow running stitch around all the denim edges…
Version 3, I no longer have this one either, nor even any pictures of it! but I have reproduced it here, hehe… (and just because I love mucking about, drawing fantasy dresses in my Fashionary) This was of grey/silver metallic cotton, that had a dull metallic sheen to the surface… I made up the gathered bodice version of the pattern and used ivory piping cord for the bodice gathering cord come shoulder straps. It was actually pretty cool, but the sheen on the surface of the fabric didn’t last very long…
Version 4; a cocktail dress, using pale pink silk taffeta, and with a heavily sequinned and embroidered overlayer. Shifted the invisible zip closure to the right side seam and added net sleeves, attached to the shoulder straps.
Version 5; back to the princess seamed bodice, made of ivory broderie anglaise cheesecloth. Have worn this one a bunch of times on this blog, and did a 6 different ways post on this dress too. Just the colour and the very plainness of it has made it an incredibly useful little wardrobe builder, and it has been a staple in my wardrobe for the last four years or so… now sadly probably on its last legs if I’m being honest with myself… 🙁
Version 6; using an old navy-blue polo shirt of Craig’s for the dress part and some navy and white striped cotton for the bodice, this is still a hot weather favourite. I used the sleeves of the Tshirt to make inseam side pockets in the dress also, and widened the body of the dress accordingly to accommodate them. (dressmaking details here)
Version 7; adapted the princess seamed bodice to have wider shoulder straps. This dress has an embroidered pale gold silk taffeta skirt and a pale green silk taffeta bodice. I was never super happy with that bodice and eventually ended up removing it. This is now a very successful high-waisted skirt.
Version 8; a beige/pale gold satin petticoat, made to wear under a silk-taffeta cocktail dress/coat. It also went perfectly under this silk chiffon dress, that has been since passed onto Cassie, but I kept the petticoat! Don’t worry, she has her own petticoat…
Version 9; a pale pink satin petticoat, made to wear underneath my pink lace dress. This ensemble has also been seen a tonne here on the blog…
and finally
Version 10; the Missoni knit and linen dress I posted about just previously. With the gathered bodice, and with the body darts drafted out of the skirt piece, so as to keep the pattern of the fabric intact.
So! Obviously this pattern has been enormously successful for me in my wardrobe and I highly recommend it! It is simple, versatile and a creative and imaginative seamster can create looks all the way from extremely casual, to lingerie, to extremely glamorous, just by juggling about with different fabrics, different trims and employing a healthy dose of imagination 🙂
You certainly do make an argument for the TNT pattern! And they all do look quite different.
What an inspiring selection of lovely dresses. I wouldn't have picked the pattern from its cover illustrations, but will be out looking for a copy now!
What an inspiring selection of lovely dresses. I wouldn't have picked the pattern from its cover illustrations, but will be out looking for a copy now!
I would just keep right on making them. I don't think you can have too many. I love them all.
The lace versions of this dress are my favorite but these are all lovely and fantastic to see how much use you can make out of one pattern! I'm so bad for just doing them once and moving on….
I liked your drawing reproduction too!
In your last post I thought the pattern only had a gathered bodice and wondered how you'd made so many variations that didn't look too similar, but I see now that there are two bodice choices. That is one versatile pattern!
Each dress is unique and nicely put together. you've kept this tnt fresh.
What a lovely collection!!! This is a good basic pattern for you and you have really leveraged the design potential!
Fantastic use of a pattern! Why am I seduced into buying even more patterns?
I love the variety you have achieved with this one pattern – each iteration beautiful and unique. It's an inspiration.
Love them all ! As has been said previously they all look different too ! My faves are the white one that does not yet look on its last legs and the latest one (green is my favourite colour!) Marvellous work x
All very nice everyone of them, I will say the second and the last are my two favorites. That second one is just cute as a bug ear girly and your using it for your painting dress! ROFL
I need a pattern as useful as this one! Well done for making so many interesting variations from it (I particularly liked the 'save' when you turned one into a skirt – well done!)
Huh, cool! I love in how many different ways you can use patterns!
You would never guess they came from the same pattern. I like the painting dress!
A pattern that is this versatile – from painting to cocktails, from taffeta to knits – could nearly be placed on a pedestal in Hall of Fame. You certainly have an eye for creativity with this pattern.
Love every version…
Great post!! Wonderful dresses and what a style range. This would be an excellent post for me to share with my students…thinking about the best way to do that now-lol
Keep it up girl:)
Wonderful variations of one design. You got me thinking. I have used certain pants and shirt patterns numerous times. Ditto for straight skirt. Don't think that I have ever used a dress pattern quite so many times. When I see your lovely creations I really want to sew dresses! Not happening at the moment, unfortunately.
I love the way you can make every dress look different. Pity I'm neither creative nor imaginative. If I made that dress it would look boringly just like the envelope. sighhhh! You are very clever.
I've just returned from holidays and am catching up on a bit of blog reading. The cardigan you posted recently really is quite delightful. I love how you've used your missoni fabric. I still have mine but am yet unsure how to use it. Believe it or not, I tried to buy Burda 8071 at Spotlight's 50% off sale but it was out of stock. You've done such a wonderful job of creating such a variation of looks from the one pattern.
Fantastic ways of using one pattern, all we need is a little imagination and a well drafted pattern =)
Great dresses! I guess it really does pay off to know what suits you, and to use that knowledge to tweak an awesome pattern ad infinitum!
Thanks, by the way, for dropping by at No Signposts! It's good to be back! 🙂
So many lovely versions of this pattern. What does it say about my style that the painting dress is my favorite, followed by the cocktail dress. the pattern in your hands has been amazingly versatile.