My favorite TNT patterns

Hi friends!  There isn't any sewing going on here these days, because I'm on vacation. We have been having a fantastic time visiting family and friends and enjoying the warm weather and everything that goes with it.  I've also really enjoyed wearing my handmades on this trip.
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About 14 years ago, I lived in Armenia, where lots of expats had clothing made by local seamstresses and tailors. I had a few things made too.  In each case, I sketched out what I wanted, brought the fabric, and then waited for it to be turned into a garment. I remember thinking how much I wished I could just sew them myself. It felt entirely out of reach at the time.

Fast-forward to now. I've been wearing a mostly handmade wardrobe for three solid years. I've built that wardrobe on my tried and true (TNT) patterns.  Creating a handmade wardrobe can feel kind of daunting when you're starting from zero.  But when you sew a few key patterns over and over again, it can come together pretty quickly and without much stress.

What follows is a round-up of my most beloved TNTs. The best of them have been favorites through changes in body shape and personal style. So without further ado ...

The Kirsten Kimono Tee from Maria Denmark.  

I discovered this pattern in 2013, and have sewn it no fewer than 19 times since! It's a great free pattern that takes no time to sew. With its cut-on kimono sleeves and lose fit through the tummy, it's one of my very favorite patterns.  I've even made it into a dress twice.  Clockwise from top left, some of my favorite garments from the pattern: 1, 2, (3 was unblogged) 4, 

The Sewaholic Renfrew Top. 

I have made about a dozen Renfrews, in the cowl-neck view, the scoop-neck long-sleeved view and the short-sleeved v-neck view. Here are a few of my favorite versions. For more info on these tops click the links, running clockwise starting from top left: 1, 2, 3, 4.

The Lisbon Cardigan from Itch to Stitch. 

Please note, this is an affiliate link. Although I signed up to be an affiliate for Itch to Stitch back in 2016, when I tested an ITS pattern, I didn't add affiliate links to my blog until July 2019.  As you can see, I sewed plenty from this pattern, which I paid for, before ever promoting it with links.

I've sewn this one five times.  These two are my favorites - though sadly, the green one was irreversibly stained and I'm still mourning its demise. The blog post about the gray French terry version is here, and you can read about the green one here. This pattern briefly fell out of favor with me when I became enamored with the Blackwood pattern, but I think I need to revisit it.

The Blackwood Cardigan from Helen's Closet.

I've sewn seven cardigans from this pattern.  These are my most-worn versions. I blogged the striped one here, and the maroon one (which shrunk in the wash, but which I still wear often), here.

The Liana Stretch Jeans from Itch to Stitch.

This is an affiliate link. 

This pattern is the newest addition to my TnT list. I've only made these twice, but I already know I will be making several more pairs. They fit me better than my Ginger jeans (which would have been on this TNT list, if I had made the list six months ago - proving that my TNTs can change).  I blogged the left pair here, and the you can read about the right one here.

The Bonn Shirt and Dress from Itch to Stitch.

This is an affiliate link. Although I signed up to be an affiliate for Itch to Stitch back in 2016, when I tested an ITS pattern, I didn't add affiliate links to my blog until last week.  As you can see, I sewed plenty from this pattern, which I paid for, before ever promoting it with links.

I have had five of these in my closet (and every single one is plaid!). One was never right to begin with, so when it became too big I gave it away. But I've altered three of the four remaining shirts and plan to alter the fifth eventually.  Read more about the blue version here and the gray version here. 

The Simplicity 2246/Lisette Traveler pattern. 

I've sewn this once as a tunic and four times as a shirt (though the actual pattern does not have a shirt length).  There is no back yoke, no sleeve plackets or cuffs, and the spread collar is just one piece instead of two, making this a very quick sew for a button-up shirt.  The pattern is out of print but still available in a few places online.  From left to right, blog posts found here, here and here.

Simplicity 1887. 

This pattern includes a skirt, shorts and pants (which I've yet to sew). I've made the skirt three times and the shorts six times, and I believe this pattern will continue to be my go-to shorts pattern for years to come.  I do plan to try the pants eventually.

I have plans to continue sewing versions of every single one of these patterns, so I guess they'll be TNTs for a while yet.  Do you have any go-to patterns? I'd love to hear about them!  And as always, thanks for reading, and see you next time!