Over the Holidays, sewista history was made when the Lovely Gillian was tweetin’ about shoes and ships and sealing wax and sewing projects and I foolishly mentioned that I don’t have a TNT pattern. These idle comments over the webs started a lovely chain of sewing challenges- some quite intense, but none of them cruel- go and check them out and get in the game! ….but back to me….ME! Some of our sewistas that have a go to sloper for any urgent call. ‘Oh, this weekend there is a leiderhosen convention with a puffer fish motif- I’ll use my TNT pattern I have for that!’……no. Tho I know that proper fitting is so important and you really get to know a pattern and how it responds to SQUIRREL!!
and how it is constructed and if I loved the shape, why not make another? It totally makes sense to fine tune and perfect a fit. Threads Magazine says:A sloper fits the figure it was drafted for with only the minimum room needed to breathe and move (called wearing ease), but without design, or style, ease—or seam allowances. SQUIRREL!!
It’s the most snugly fitted garment you’ll ever wear, and as such, is almost like a pattern for your skin. In fact, the skintight cloth covers of commercial dress forms are made from slopers, drafted from the measurements of the so-called “ideal” figure the garment industry aims to fit.
So why would I ignore such wisdom? Perhaps you’ve guessed. I’m easily distracted. SQUIRREL!!!!
So far my sewing dictum has been to adopt as many homeless patterns as I can and share my love with them all. I flit from bright shiny object to bright shiny object sometimes on a whim, sometimes what I just saw on Gossip Girl, sometimes a pattern review I just saw. My queue changes more often that the health code review on our local Hibachi Grill. So Gillian dared me to sew 3 garments from the same pattern. Gulp. So I did! By #3 I wasn’t so thrilled with my pattern choice. But I think any pattern I chose would have been getting the stink eye after 2 makes. I had to excuse myself from looking at Pattern Review- I was starting to resent that little envelope, but I knew that if I did something else in the interim, I’d find every excuse on the planet not to finish and then I think somehow it was implied but not stated that Gillian could give me an indian burn or a wedgie.
I should have read that verbal agreement more closely! But I know my wardrobe needs tops, tops and more tops. So I chose New Look 6808- which I’ve come to think of as ‘Bizarro universe Vogue 1247’ because everyone has reviewed it!
I love the look of the first one- the soft neckline, the 3/4 sleeves- so it ended up being my favorite.
I went frisky and flocked for #2 and don’t really love the collar, but it is a great excuse for a gaudy brooch. Gaudy? I’m in!
#3 was sort of an expieriment. I widened the neckline so that I could pleat it and add cutesy buttons. It’s the most comfortable, but maybe not the most flattering.
By the way- the above picture is what passes for an action shot in my world. All three were from stash fabrics, so that’s good.
What did I learn? I will definitely be revisiting some patterns I have tried before and loved- Gillian, I’m ready for another assignment, if you’re game. can it be an animal print? hint, hint….. SQUIRREL!!
photo credits: google images, meadhawg, Threads magazine, Crafting a Rainbow
Pretty Grievances 
YOU DID IT!!!!! Way to go!!!! I love reusing patterns, and even I’d find 3 in a row a challenge… but I think they all look great! The scoop neckline is really flattering on you, and the colours and fabrics you choose all suit you really well. Did you end up having to change the fit of the bodice at all for the different fabrics?
Oh look… SQUIRREL!!!!
Hope you have a fun pattern to go sew next!
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Squirrel! I did change up a good bit- the blue got darts in the back to shape it, the red had a neckline trajectory change and the pinkish was so sheer it got alot of frenching! This was fun- for all my grousing!
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Yaaaay you’re in yhe 6808 club!!!! Love these versions. You look so pretty in the flocked version! Well done on your dare. SQUIRREL!!!
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I think I like to say’ flocked’ too, so a total win!
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Well, that’s it, I simply cannot let any of the animals read your post. Squirrel indeed! Oh gosh, I just interrupted myself….Dug gone it! I have a lot of TNT patterns and they are so comforting. I have never tried your New Look one though, might have to look it UP….Squirrel!!
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You are my Blouse and Top Jedi, you know that right? Your subtle changes always make me want to try something again….if I’m not too distracted.
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LOLOL. This may be your funniest post yet!! Anyway, ahem, congrats on going through the process of reusing and refining a pattern! Now treat yourself and sew something entirely new. 🙂
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I have a snakey Cynthia Rowley all cut out and waiting for the pups and I to get into the sewingroom this morning!
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Oh, and I have a pattern give-away going on. It would be a new one for you and I think quite flattering! Squirrel!
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Glad to see the red squirrel got top billing! 🙂 There are too few of them now in England; boo to the aggressive greys that squawk at me if I go too near their tree. I went to Canada a few years ago, and found out they come in a stylish black there! 🙂
I’m liking the pattern! And great to have so many options… I’m loving #2 on you! So pretty- is it devore?
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Well, now I know what to call it besides ‘flocky stuff’! Red would be my fav in cats, dogs or squirrels!
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Those are all fabulous. Red is your color. Sew on!
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I was raised to think you had to avoid reds and pinks, but I’m so drawn to them- I can’t resist!
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I love squirrels! I think there were some words in there too, but the squirrels pictures were too distracting.
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I’m still wondering how many people found this post by mistake and are doing a ‘WTF’?
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My favourite is #2, but honestly, I like them all. I like squirrels too, when we were on holiday in California 2 yrs ago, we took 10 pictures of the first one we saw. Not knowing that we would see like 10.000 more in the 3 weeks following… I think we saw more squirrels than shirts that holiday 🙂
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Last year at Disney we stopped to rest and people watch on a bench in Epcot and it was a big family rest spot too and one Father was getting annoyed that with all the high tech, kid-friendly, specially designed entertainment in the park- his kids were totally enraptured by a squirrel sitting by a hedge! Nature is the best show, I guess!
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Dad used to say that when we were really little, we’d get a gift and then end up playing with the box! 😉
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Congrats on your multiple makes and using stash fabric – think my favorite is #2 but I love the fabric of #3.
Squirrel!
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The husband said he liked #2, but the sleeves were a little swishy….um, yup.
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I like all of these. #1 looks like the easiest to wear, and I love the collar/brooch combo on #2. I don’t think I could bring myself to make up the same pattern 3 times in a row. Good for you keeping the momentum going and the blinders on.
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It was like I was being tortured! I’d see a half made on Mrs Holloway and try to avoid her gaze! Oh, how I suffer!
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I love to reuse patterns because the time I spent making adjustments doesn’t usually have to be spent again. (Also I’m cheap.) I’ve made that New Look pattern twice already myself–the 3/4 length and the sleeveless. I will say that if you are using vastly different fabrics, you may still need to consider the fit before you cut out. I made the sleeveless one a little bigger and omitted the zipper because it was a flimsier fabric and I didn’t want that side zipper weighing it down on the one side.
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The flocky one proves your point! The fit is my least favorite on that one, definitely!
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Really like the flocked one on you, it’s so girly like. (Not squirrely like) I live in squirrel grand central, we have greys, blacks and chipmunks. No wonder I never get anything done.
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Luckilly I have my fierce Tekel trio guarding the perimeter for squirrel activity ion our zone. Katze will have none of their foolishness on her watch!
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I love the print on the first one, it’s pretty and the 3/4 length sleeves look nice with that neckline. I love the colour of the flocked red one…and the brooch is a winner. The neckline of the 3rd would be a challenge to anyone but a squirrel methinks. (Look Mama I’m commenting, I’m commenting…wordpress no longer hates what I have to say). Cool dare, well done!
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the red gives me an odd appearance of breastal spread…eek!
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Number 2 is my favorite. I love a gaudy pin myself. The blingier the better. Please define TNT pattern. That is a term I have not heard before.
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Ah, tried and true! The grail of sewists!
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Ahhhhh! That makes sense!
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And yet I said it! Wow!
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My personal favorite is the red “flocked” number. That is a beautiful color on you.
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Frenched and flocked, all on a saturday!
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I think you look good in all of them. That pattern seems to fit everyone pretty well… I think I need to try it with flutter sleeves…
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Oh, flutter would become you so! Make a matching one for Pedro!
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You know… I really like the neckline of #2 and may try this pattern myself. Probably just 1 make tho as I am always too distracted as well to make more than one of the same thing- well unless I HAVE to- like when I make dance costumes. Love red on you- I really like all 3 tops… I am hoping no squirrels were harmed in the making of this blog post.. 😉
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Squirrels were used merely as style consultants, of course!
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I like all three of these, but I really love the neckline of the darted one, and the flocked fabric of #2. Squirrels are cute, unless they are in your apple tree, wasting your apples. 😦
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I will get Liesl into her cape and send her over to patrol the quadrant!
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Ok, I squealed each time– because I love squirrels!!!! My husband thinks I am insane. He calls squirrels rats with tails. But they are so cute with their fluffy tails, stuffing things in their cheeks! Ok, maybe the one Gillian posted with the giant nuts is a little creepy…
There’s that rusty red color again. That is your color! I like the last version the best.
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great idea to make a pattern repeatedly. Both for economy and it really is practice on fitting and sewing skills. I think all the tops look great. By the way – you could never get anything done in my sewing room, I look out at the fence and beyond fruit trees and a huge oak. It is like a vacation spa for squirrels and they run around all day taunting me. But lately I am very angry at them as they are digging up my tulip bulbs.
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I have to keep the blinds drawn in the sewing room – or I’d spend all day boosting short dogs up to see all the action!
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ooh love squirrels! We don’t have any in NZ just as well as I’d never get any sewing done! Love all three tops – the colours and fabrics make each one individual – well done! So what is the next animal linked sewing link- something with feathers maybe?
If you have the time check out images of our version of the squirrel – not so cute and a real menace
https://www.google.com/search?num=10&hl=en&site=&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=643&q=nz+possum&oq=NZ+poss&gs_l=img.1.0.0j0i24l8j0i10i24.4075.5866.0.8276.7.7.0.0.0.0.220.1282.1j1j5.7.0…0.0…1ac.1.6ijv-PDPFmo
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Mercy pete! That is tiny sinisterness!
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I’m just picturing you and Gillian mud wrestling … V.funny.
I also love you managed to pop a little animal action in with the headband!
Great tops, I love the one with the brooch – you almost had me thinking you were about to go all demure!
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I met demure once, we didnt get along!
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Oh, three garments from one pattern? That would not be a challenge for me at all. I am stuck on about half a dozen patterns that I keep making over and over again while ignoring the overstuffed box full of brand new, uncut patterns that I just HAD to have. I guess I need to do something about that.
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I like playing with new patterns, bit I do see the point now!
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Very nice. And they’re all from your stash. And you’ve used just one pattern. Squirrel.
The blue tongue lizard in my garden appears occassionally and pretends that if he can’t see me, then I can’t see him. I can watch him/her all day.
What’s it feel like having a TNT you can use for the next leiderhosen convention? Love your work.
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I can wait to get my leider’ on!
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Can I just say about your constantly changing queue: I get it. TNT is boring BORING I tell you, even if it does look wonderful all the time and save the hassle of muslining, fitting tweaks, etc., etc., etc. Good on you for taking the dare. Your tops are really lovely, and the only interesting thing about TNT’s is that they produce a million different garments you’d never expect. BTW, living in Canada, can I just say that I really hate those pesky squirrels? They are forever eating my garden and digging up bulbs. Just about the nicest squirrelly thing I’ve ever seen was a silk dressing gown in the now defunct Creed’s – once quite the exclusive store here – and it was lined with….. Oh, look! There’s another squirrel!
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Im now googling ‘squirrelly wrappers’ and its not so good!
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SQRL!!!! The first version is ridiculously adorbs- loving it! Looking forward to your next make free of the TNT shackles!
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I may be in a 1980’s Dynasty mode next!
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That New Look pattern is my favorite pattern. I’ve made 3 long sleeve and 3 short sleeve, the most of any pattern I own. The reason it has so many reviews on PR is because it is universally flattering. Yours look great on you!
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You have gorgeous makes of this one!
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Be Very Careful – reusing/tweaking/altering patterns may become an addiction. P.S. I love squirrels. sure we have koalas but they just grunt at night and pee on people.
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Koalas sound more and more like frat boys…..
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Ahhh, these are so cute! I love all three versions! You picked a great pattern to make in multiples– you would never guess that all three tops are from the same pattern. The squirrels are so cute, too! Well done, you saucy minx!
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If I leave it alone, it’s a great fit and flattering-the blue one! I was starting to feel like I had one of those project runway patterns- this sleeve,those darts, that collar….
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That’s actually a really nice pattern! May have to put that on my (LONG) list! Well done, and impressive that you stuck to it
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I think it’s up for 2012 pattern of the year at PR….
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I love your post. They always bring a smile to my face. I like all the versions of the top and the red flocked top is super glam.
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I need a sleeker shell to wear under it- lots of bulk up in there!
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A great way to deal with the stash! They do look good.
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Everyone appears to have a different fave – I like #1 the best. I made a version of that pattern but I don’t wear it anymore ‘cuz it’s very unflattering. I’m still on the search for a TNT too…
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#2 just hugs a little more that I care for- if you find your TNT, let me know, I’ll try it!
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This is something I need to do, it’s logical and efficient that once you’ve worked out the bugs in the first one you should make another etc. Unfortunately, that doesn’t take into account my “meh, I’m over it now” state of mind when I finish something.
I like all 3 but #1 would be my fave.
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I have serious ‘meh’ syndrome!!
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For as many years as I have been sewing, I’ve never made a sloper. I am SO intimidated by the whole thought process. Be brave, Lynne…be brave!
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Oh, same here! I really need to work on more fitted clothing this year- I tend to hide in my clothes!
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Those are totally adorable! I must buy this pattern IMMEDIATELY- I totally need tops more than skirts and dresses.
Love the leopard headband as well!
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Also, I snorted several times whilst reading because of the squirrel photos. Cute and funny.
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You look good in all three of the tops. I think it was well worth the effort to make them. If I like a pattern, I make it over & over. I’ve made 5 skirts – all very different from one pattern & I saw some sale fabric on Saturday so I’m going to make another.
I love the squirrel pictures.
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I can hear the “Mission Impossible” tune as the squirrels run amok in your pattern collection looking for the next make.
This is such a cute pattern and I’m glad you succumbed to the challenge because all of these tops look great. And red is definitely a good colour for you.
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I love all your different versions of squirrels, sorry, I mean tops 😉
hehe getting back to the squirrels, they are my favourite, I have been known to chase them for pictures, since we don’t have them here!
Now back to the clothes, I do like all your versions of this top – I actually prefer the pleated version, it is a nice detail you have added. I have this pattern too and it looks like a great “go to”, but I haven’t tried it yet.
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Try it! I think of it as the poor gals Alma!
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Fantastic!! I really like all these on you! 🙂 Honestly, I don’t have a TNT pattern for anything yet either!! I know what you mean about wanting to give every pattern your love; that’s one of my weaknesses too ^__^ I think once you kinda know your personal fit adjustments, it’s not such a bad thing, right? 🙂
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I tried, it just isn’t me!
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These are lovely! I tried this pattern but I don’t know what I did, it was terrible. I might try it again having seen your lovely versions. I love the textures on all the fabrics you’ve used. And I am so glad that someone posted the Great British Bake-Off squirrel – that was the first thing I thought of when I saw your squirrels.
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I like to post celebs!!
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hey love these particularly the flocked one – great colour. That’s a terrific pattern, i’d wear all of those! Oh one of my fave cartoon characters Doug!
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You cant help but love that dog!
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All three of these look great! What beautiful fabrics too. I personally am rather attracted to gaudy things as well because, you know, shiny!!! So congrats on avoiding the wedgie.
I use “squirrel!” As shorthand for “I’m easily distracted. Live with it” frequently but find myself explaining it a lot. I feel safe here.
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I should mention, being from a squirrel-less country that my total exposure to squirrels is Scrat in Ice Age and a week I spent in Florida. I was transfixed by the Floridian squirrels and just fell in love with them!
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