hello! I’ve made some new things recently… firstly, some new winter pyjamas. 🙂
I used my usual Closet Core patterns Carolyn pattern for the bottoms, and for the top I used a pattern adapted from a Burda pattern, just a basic loose top with cut-on sleeves. I went to Spotlight and bought 1.5m coral pink, 0.5m navy blue and 1.0m white cotton flannelette… and right now I have to make a stern warning to future me; THIS IS NOT ENOUGH FABRIC TO MAKE A PAIR OF WINTER PYJAMAS. Well, to be more specific, it CAN BE enough fabric, but only if one is prepared do lots of careful measuring, careful cutting and careful piecing to use as much of the fabric as is humanly possible. And there will be practically zero fabric by the end of it.
I mean, this is a good thing, right? Reducing waste? To answer myself, yes it is, and I enjoyed the technicalities of the process and pretty proud I managed to use practically all of it, however this normally very simple project turned into a bit of an epic journey. I think it’s ok to admit that it’s not necessary to virtuously use “all your fabric” when you make something.
I realised I had not bought enough fabric once I laid down my pattern pieces, and so had no choice but to cut and piece every single offcut in order to make the pyjama legs as long as I needed, as well as the pyjama top sleeves and body as long as I needed. It was kind of fun to have the different colours appear as stripes like this too.
All the seams are overlocked on the inside, and all the seams are faux fell-stitched down using white thread on the outside. I like that all those little bitsy-bits are highlighted like this!
This is the tiny pile of my total leftovers. Honestly, in the end, “using all the fabric” became such a quest that I slapped on a few superfluous pockets, which is kinda silly really. It was a fun experiment, but of course it’s a truth that superfluous pockets are not morally superior to throwing away small scraps. Just saying.
I also made some new clogs!
I used a kit that I bought from Leather Needle Thread, hmm, perhaps a few years ago. It’s taken me a while to get around to it, yes. 🙂
The colour is black, which of course will be extremely handy . As much as I love colourful things in my wardrobe, black shoes really are the most useful ones. As previously, I applied several layers of clear varnish to the clog bases with light sanding in between each coat before making the clogs. I know the supplier of the clog kits doesn’t recommend this, but I personally have found it an excellent idea with regards to keeping the clogs clean. Even if you scrupulously wash your feet each time prior to putting on your shoes, you still can’t help but get them a bit dirty, and varnishing the bases really makes the cleaning process a lot more effective.
Actually, I said I’m happy with these, and I am! but truth be told I think my leather was just a shade on the flimsy side? and the ankle strappy bit flops in when I’m not wearing them, whereas the ones I’ve made using leather supplied with the kit – obviously superior! – does not. So I’m thinking of going in retrospectively and applying a lining to the straps to stiffen them up. I think this will be quite easy actually, and I have some very thin pig leather that is supposed to be used to line shoes that I can use for the purpose. I bought this from Skindhuset in Copenhagen during one of our trips there.
