Mundane, but oh so welcome and necessary. I’ve been absolutely freezing!!! at night lately and my old winter jammies were as thin as! so this was highest of high on my list of priorities. But it had to still sit waiting patiently in the wings for the all important Magicka robe to get made first, ahem.
Both top and bottom are made from nice and warm fluffy cotton flannel from Spotlight; the top is a modified version of pattern 121/122 from Burdastyle magazine 10/2009 and the bottoms are kinda self-drafted.
The top: actually I’ve been eyeing off this Burda magazine pattern for yonks and dreaming of making it up in a suedette and this new jammie top is sort of my “muslin”, if you like. I loathe wasting fabric on muslins and nearly always prefer to make something hopefully wearable, even when testing out a new pattern for the first time. So; this PJ top. It was a little bit hideous in its first, unmodified state; I ended up shortening it by about 12cm; slanted off the front neckline to be a V-neck and sewed the slit together at three spots which were covered up with three little buttons.
All the seams are sort of a faux version of flat felled seams. By this I mean I sewed all the seams normally, overlocked the raw edges cutting close to the seam stitching and then laid the seam allowances to one side and top-stitched them down 5mm (1/4″) away from the seam stitching.
I also added an interesting breast pocket; this was also a rough try-out for this pocket that I pinned a while ago.
The bottoms; standard regular baggy trouser bottoms with an elasticated waist. I made them the same way I’ve been making my PJ bottoms for yonks now: namely years ago I saved an OK-fitting RTW pair that had had it, and cut it up for a pattern. I’m saying “self-drafted” because I’ve made multiple minor modifications, in this case an added a faux fly front, narrowed the waist and raised the waist rise, made them wider in the leg and longer in the leg and added in-seam side pockets. My advice, PJ bottoms are like the easiest thing in the entire world, so when you are looking for a good pattern, just cut up an old pair for a pattern and make your own little modifications, do whatever you like, it’s almost impossible to stuff up PJ bottoms. Easy peasy, and you can spend that money saved on the fabric for your new pair instead!
Details:
Top, modified version of Burdastyle magazine 10/2009, 121-122, cotton flannelette,
Bottoms; self cobbled together, cotton flannelette
Socks; hand-knitted by me to a 60’s pattern, details here
I'm a great one for the cheat's version of the flat fell seam, use it often :). What a lovely pair of PJ.s great window pocket – and I love the little tea cup as well. What better with warm PJs than a warm cup of tea…
I've been thinking of refreshing my pyjama drawer too, but for summer! I have the opposite problem to you – some nights the whole family have been too hot to sleep so thin short pjs are on my to sew list. Your new set looks great and I am interested in the Burda, I must see if I can get a back issue because I want to make a fisherman's style smock and that pattern looks like a possibility with a few tweaks.
This is a lovely pocket detail which ive never seen before. Am definitely going to add to my must try list. Thank you.
Love the pocket.
Oh, lovely pyjamas and the pocket is fabulous. I like my pyjamas stretchy, and a hot water bottle or two!!
I got time poor (lazy) and bought mine this year but the tip about cutting up old ones for a pattern is a good idea. I might do that next time! I like your new colourful pjs and the cute trim in the top.
Beautiful PJs! I love what you did to the Burda pattern and am filing it away for later this year.
Like Philippa, I'm in need of some summer jammies. These are so cute Carolyn! What an interesting pocket !
Faux flat felled? Loving it! Nice touch with the fabulous pocket- I'm loving the little pop of colour 😀 It is crazy cold this way too (megablizzard, anyone) and all the cool kids are making snuggly clothes!
Mmmm flannelette! I've just made myself some self drafted wool leggings, it's arctic here in Melbourne. But it's good to be toasty in self made snugliness
love this pocket !!! beautiful !!!
I agree that flat-felling or faux-felling is the way to go with garments that will see many washings. The easiest way to tell vrai from faux on the outside: flat felling has two lines of stitches visible on the outside. Do you do your flat fells the easy way? Offset the seam allowances by about 1/4 inch for the first stitching, holding the edge of the larger allowance at the 5/8" mark on your machine (taking a normal seam allowance). Then fold over the edge and the seam and stitch the second pass. No need to trim seam allowance, and I guarantee that the seam still only takes the regulation 5/8" when finished. Oh, wait … you probably use metric measures … the technique will work either way.
It is 95 degrees Fahrenheit outside where I live for the sixth day in a row, so I envy you the chill in the air where you are.
Lynn; wouldn't the fit of the offset side be out by a quarter of an inch? unless you are trimming that side before stitching, in which case I can't see how it would be a quicker method than flat-felling in the traditional way
Very cute. Like that stitching you did on the top.
Super cute!
My Heart skipped a beat when you talked of wasting fabric (and time) on muslins. I just about have enough time to squeeze making my clothes without having to make them twice! It usually works out in the end so it would have to be something pretty wow for me to make me make a muslin, I think they are fab PJ's, love the little detail. You are on my blog this week in The Round the World Blog Hop go and see. Jo x
It`s very nice top, and very comfortable!
I love the set you made and think the top is especially a nice change from wearing a baggy T shirt to bed.
For me, I cut PJ bottoms from Burda. It's easy enough to find a pair of wide legged pull on pants and those patterns adapt well to PJs. There's just something about that Burda draft that flatters the behinds of most women. I wear PJs around DH so at least I have that much going for me when I feel like bumming around on a jammie day!
Very nice pocket.
I love the pocket detail. This top will look great made in suedette.
Gorgeous – love the little star.
I have made PJs for my family but none for me – I wear the free ones you get on planes and they are not warm enough. I love yours and may have to pay a visit to Spotlight (or my stash 🙂 ) as you've totally inspired me as usual!
Great pj's and love the pocket. Just finishing up a some pj pants for me, need to work out what top pattern I want to try, there are plenty to choose from!
I agree with you about muslins. But it sometimes gets to the stage where all I am wearing is the prototype – never quite find the time to make the suedette-version. And I love how you honour your techniques like the intriguing patchwork pocket with a practice run. The oranges are so cheering when its a little chilly too. Bravo Carolyn.
The Swedish linen mix is wonderful! Can't wait to see the dress….. keep meaning to make some PJs for myself- maybe this will be the kick I need!
I haven't made PJ bottoms yet but am inspired to do some up in a light cotton for summer. Your PJs look very nice.
Great PJs!!! That pocket is a very interesting touch!
Hello from up North New York City. I just happened to come across your blog. And I Love love your style of fashion. I enjoy seeing what you make. I sew as well. Keep up the good work. They call me. Sewinghands. Happy sewing.
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