pyjamas Archives - Handmade by Carolyn

some new things…

09/05/2025 6:56 pm \ 2 Comments \ Carolyn

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.

Posted in: sewing, shoes \ Tagged: Closet Core patterns, leather needle thread, own design, pyjamas, shoes

some odds and ends

05/06/2024 12:45 pm \ 1 Comment \ Carolyn

Just recently I took part in me-made May again, and had a month of taking my own photos once more. It feels funny to go back to this, since I’ve completely got out of the habit of taking daily photos, but I do enjoy joining in with me-made May. It helps me to take stock of the items in my wardrobe that I really like and those that I don’t! and also identify any gaps in my wardrobe…

So these are my daily outfits for the month… there are 32 outfits for 31 days because we had one evening out for my sister-in-law’s birthday party for which I wore a separate outfit from during the day (pic5). I made every item of clothing I’m wearing in every outfit, except for my black hiking boots and white sandshoes. I did make the sandals in pic14 though!

Thoughts; (warning; skip this bit if you find wardrobe analysis boring!). I liked all my outfits although there are 1-2 things I pinpointed as being shabby and maybe not really up for public consumption any more (overdyed blue dress and the tomato cardigan from picture 1). I also resurrected a few things from storage to wear again, and was reminded how much I love them really. (chambray top from pic26, overdyed dress from pic12, jeans from pic 25, jeans from pic32, the shirt I made for Craig in pic16). Surprisingly (for me) I hated nothing, which is good, and makes me think I might need to retire those things I chose NOT to wear during the month! I conscientiously tried to wear something different every day and only discovered that I’d doubled up on a few things after the event. I wore my pink Pinjarra cardigan twice (pics 10 & 23) and also my little raspberry jacket twice (pics 9 & 25), and my brown knitted cardigan three times (pics 7, 13 & 24). For the last few years I’d got into the habit of not wearing jeans very often since I became convinced that I look terrible in them. However, lately I’ve found to my surprise that I don’t mind how they look on me. So, I’m planning to make a new pair of jeans, surprise surprise! Wardrobe gaps: well, sorry to sound like a broken record, however as old pocket-less items die they are only going to be replaced with pocket-equipped items! This is absolutely not negotiable.

In the end, me-made May is a bit biased in that I don’t get to wear my truly summery things nor my truly wintery things either. It’s all the middle ground, trans-seasonal things that suit middle ground temperatures. I mean, this is fine; because the majority of my wardrobe is obviously middle range things weather-wise… however sometimes I think I should do this sort of analysis privately for a hot month and a cold month too.

I also kept a pictorial record of my purple hair wash too! just for fun. :). The colour was quite intense to start with and had washed out to a shade I REALLY love after 2-3 washes. I took the 6th picture today, the colour is quite subtle now, but it still noticeable, I think. In a good way! However, this is a lesson to me that if I ever use a purple colour wash again to just use maybe a third of the tube, at most!

I made something else last month; a new pair of winter jammies… I used the Closet Core pattern that is my namesake of course, the Carolyn pyjamas for the bottoms. The top is vaguely similar to my usual pattern Burda 10/2009; 121 that I’ve used for winter pj tops in the past, but I’ve somehow managed to lose the pattern I’d traced out. I didn’t feel like re-tracing it, so instead I just laid down last year’s top and traced around the outside, haha. I added oversized pockets to the front, because I always need pockets.

I had to buy new fabric thus breaking my no-buy rule… but it was a necessary sin since I had no flannelette in my possession! I bought as little as I dared and managed to use the entire amount, so I’m forgiving myself! The bunny print cotton flannelette is of course from Spotlight, and I bought a small amount of white to give some contrast because I always like a bit of contrast. To be honest, I searched and searched for some garishly cotton candy coloured unicorn print flannelette which would have been my absolute ideal… and was extremely disappointed to find nothing like that. These sweet blush-pink bunnies are reasonably cute enough so they will do. For now!

In closing; a favourite moment from me-made May was the day when Cassie, Theo, Gilbert and I visited the Subiaco Flower festival together… we had such a lovely afternoon!

(photo taken by a kind lady passing by)

Posted in: sewing \ Tagged: Carolyn, Closet Core patterns, daily outfit, hair, MMM24, pyjamas

pj’s

02/05/2023 8:13 pm \ 6 Comments \ Carolyn

Oh man! I have been unable to post here for quite a while and was starting to wonder; could this be the end of Handmade by Carolyn…? Fortunately my clever husband worked the problem out. Then I wrote a whole post and posted it, and it just disappeared, poof! into the ether. So upsetting! I’m going to try for a second time, so hopefully this time it will not!

Pj’s. I’ve made a few.

Firstly, for me, I used my namesake pattern, the Closet Core Carolyn PJ’s for my pants and a Burda pattern, 10/2009, 121 for the top. Sometimes I think I should make the Carolyn top as a pj top too, but I really prefer my pj tops to be buttonless. As well as saving buttonholes for a shirt that I will wear awake, and out of the house. Well, buttonholes are an effort!

I know I pledged to not buy any new fabric until I’d used up my stash, and I had to buy some flannelette for these, which is a little bad but not really because I really needed new winter jammies. I managed to use up every last scrap by slapping some patch pockets on the front of the top; which makes me feel very thrifty and virtuous, so it’s all good in the end. The white flannelette was already in my stash, leftover from a previous jammie-making venture. Both from Spotlight.

Next up; I made pj pants for Cassie, and mini matching ones for Theo. So cute that they can match each other! Cassie’s are the Closet Core Carolyn pattern, and I left the front open at her request, just in case she decides to go though another pregnancy in the next few years.

I added a press stud at the waistline and a drawstring so they can still be closed easily. The drawstring is attached to a bit of elastic threaded through the back of the waistband. I cut out and stitched in her Spoonflower label… oh I forgot to mention! The print on the fabric is her own design in her Spoonflower shop, printed on fleece from their range. We were using this small length as a cot blanket for when the kiddies slept over, but it’s outgrown that function and needed up cycling. So now it’s pj’s!

Theo’s matching pants are Burda 9436 modified slightly to be pj bottoms by eliminating pockets and adding elasticated cuffs, and his little red raglan T-shirt is self drafted. It’s cut from a massive “remnant” that I bought from a Morrison seconds sale, once upon a time. When I say, remnant, I mean about 6m although I’ve been too depressed to ever actually measure this. I don’t know what I was thinking, buying it; honestly. I must have been mad. It’s my current intention to use up this remnant as soon as possible… I’m making good headway too, results to appear here soon. I hope!

Next up, for Arthur. For the pants, I used the same Burda 9436 as for Theo, lengthened because he is much taller; and grey sweat shirting fabric from the stash. The two little T-shirts (same self drafted pattern again) are made using his Dad, Tim’s old T-shirts. Yes, I still have some of these left! and actually it’s getting quite hard to cut Arthur sized T-shirts from adult-sized T-shirts, believe it or not; so I’m planning to power through all the T-shirts pretty quickly now.

Lastly, and completely random I know; I made some lemon macarons because I had lemons, and because I kinda wanted to prove to myself I was still capable. Very very pleased with how they turned out!

Posted in: sewing, Uncategorized \ Tagged: arthur, burda 10/2009;121, Carolyn, Closet Core patterns, macarons, own design, pyjamas, Theo

nighty night!

01/07/2021 4:03 pm \ 3 Comments \ Carolyn

Last month I also devoted some time to updating the pj situation in my life, and in little Theo’s life too! It suddenly got really really cold overnight, and my fave old bunny pj’s, that I still LOVE btw are sadly too thin to really cut it any more…

I actually bought both the white and mustard, fluffy cotton flannelette at Spotlight very early out of our first lockdown last year… I panicked that we might have another lockdown and I would need new pj’s and that I didn’t have the fabric for a new pair, so rushed out and quickly bought some. Then decided my bunny pj’s would be fine for another year after all. Anyway, they’ve been made now and ooooo, they’re so fluffy and awesomely warm I’m in heaven as soon as I put them on.. 😀

I used my namesake pattern, the Closet Core patterns Carolyn pj’s for the bottoms, and for the tops I used my now standby pj top pattern Burda 10-2009, 121; which is just so quick and easy and comfortable. I jazzed up both pieces by incorporating a bit of faux piping in some horizontally placed seams. I used the selvedge of both white and mustard flannelette in their opposite pieces’ nd found a piece of gorgeous raspberry cotton jersey in my stash in both to tie them both together. The selvedges are just single thickness with the selvedge edge facing out, and the raspberry jersey is folded once with the folded edge facing out. On the inside, all the raw edges are overlocked together to finish, and the seam allowances are stitched UP in all cases.

One of the best things is that I think they look great with my fluffy pink robe, that I made two years ago and that is still going strong. It’s VERY IMPORTANT that one should look exceptionally well put together even in one’s pj’s, ahem…

Also, little Theo needed a sleeping bag… we had some very cold nights during June and Cassie had put in a request. I already had both these pieces of fabric in my stash too… the red fleece, well I’d previously used most of it to make kangaroo pouches last year, when we had the bushfire wildlife care callouts. I still had a few pieces big enough to cut out the sleeping bag, fortunately! I cut the collar and cuffs from striped cotton jersey, just to make it look more interesting and fun. The only thing I needed to buy in all of this was the red zip… I feel like my stash busting efforts are going really well!

Oh of course, the pattern… this is Butterick 5583 and I added 18cm in length because he is apparently a very tall baby!

Posted in: sewing \ Tagged: baby clothes, babywear, Burdastyle magazine 09-2010-122, butterick 5583, Carolyn, Closet Core patterns, pyjamas, sleeping bag, Theo

golden Collins

13/12/2019 5:39 pm \ 4 Comments \ Carolyn

I’m now desperately trying to blog everything I’ve made this year, within this year… so fair warning: brace yourself for an onslaught of making-spam…

First of all; this little dress!

I actually made this back in September! but cold weather and general lack of… shall we say? love? for the dress prevented me from wearing it for a while, or obviously blogging about it before. However all is now well, because the dress has easily reached its 30 wears, and is probably going to go on to at least 300 wears before I say sayonara to it… how is this so? you may ask… since devoted followers (ha!) of my daily ootd blog will have no doubt noticed it has made not one single appearance over there. I shall now explain… yes, I had not much love for it once I’d finished making it, which is strange because it actually ticked a number of very good boxes; it feels very nice to wear, very comfortable, and it is well made if I say so myself. I think it was the colour; yellow should suit my Autumnal self; but I decided this particular yellow was too close to my skin tone to really look good on me. I thought I might dye it, sometime. But before that happened, the weather warmed up a bit, I took out my old summer nightie to wear to bed and was saddened to see that a hole, that I had fixed up twice before, quickly reappeared in such a ghastly, final manner I had no choice but to ditch it. Yes, very sad, and I was too busy to make another nightie straight away … what to wear? then I noticed this dress perched on top of a pile of summer dresses, waiting to be noticed. I was like, well that will do for now, as a stop-gap. But you know what? I’m really enjoying wearing it!

Fabric; a pale yellow quilting cotton from Minerva, printed with gold snowflakes. I think it’s part of their Christmas range. My previous nightie was made of quilting cotton too, and so I’m accustomed to the feel of it. It’s very comfortable! soft and lovely against the skin. I’ve discovered that quilting cotton makes GREAT nighties! Since I’d intended it to be a proper dress, I have to admit it did turn out a leetle bit over-engineered for a nightie; it’s got facings, pockets, inset strips to define the seams. A bias bound hemline, for heaven’s sake.

Some deets:

Pattern; I used the Collins top pattern by In The Folds; I’ve previously made this once before, to make this palm leaf lace top here. This time, I lengthened the appropriate pieces to make it dress-length. In doing so, I extended the front and back diagonal lines right down to meet at the hemline in a nice neat V. I decided to highlight this feature, by insering an inset strip into the seamlines, just like I did with this dress. The bias cut contrast strip is mustard silk crepe; same stuff I used for my Fibre Mood Faye dress.

I’m rather thrilled with the sharpness of that point!

Cutting my “outer” pieces had used basically every last scrap of the snowflake fabric, so I unearthed a short length of soft yellow silk dupion from my stash; a remnant in merited from my grandmother.

From this; I cut my neckline/armscye facings, the voluminous pockets, and the bias cut strip I used to hem the dress,

For the button at the back of the neck; well I didn’t even really need to make an opening, since I’ve always found I can slip this dress on and off without un-doing the button! but I’d made provision for it, so needed to finish it off…

I took out one of the leftover buttons I’d covered in ivory crepe for Kelly’s wedding dress (self-covering button kit purchased here) and painted it with some gold paint. This itself is leftover from when I made my Queen Rutela costume; I used it to paint my “jewellery” and my “hair”

So that’s it! I have a wonderful nightie and have enjoyed wearing it a lot, since it’s basically like a proper dress. Actually, it’s kinda half nightie, half dress… I think of it as loungewear. I can take out the bin without worrying what the neighbours might think, haha. Maybe I’ll even eventually dye it like I originally planned, and wear it out one day!

Details:

Dress/nightie; the Collins top by In The Folds, in printed quilting cotton
Lilac shoes; made by me at a Shoe Camraderie workshop, details here

Posted in: sewing \ Tagged: Collins top, dress, in the folds, own design, pyjamas

bunny tails and lots of pink fluff

18/05/2019 8:43 pm \ 11 Comments \ Carolyn

So in a bit of a tangent from wedding sewing; the weather has turned super cold, unseasonably so actually, for this early 🙁 and my old winter pj’s had got drastically thin to the point where I’ve accidentally poked a finger nail through the fabric in several spots lately, ahem. I was desperate! Oh, and since I mentioned it? the wedding dress is basically finished!! but obviously I will not be sharing full shots until after the Big Day, though I am sharing a few details here and there over on my instagram account. And I’ve sort of gone as far as I can on the other wedding sewing duties, for a short while, anyway!

I’d found this adorable bunny print cotton flannelette at Spotlight… I love their little round bums complete with fluffy cottontails! And the ones with little pink paw pads are even cuter! btw I am fully aware that as an Australian I am honour bound to despise rabbits, and on an intellectual level I do, honestly. But also, look how adorable!

For patterns; I used the eponymous Carolyn Pyjama pattern by Closet Case patterns for the bottoms of course! and for the top I used a plain Burdastyle T-top pattern I’ve used a few times before, Burda 10/2009;121, with minor modifications – story of my sewing life, hehe.

To enhance and pick up the pink of the bunny paws, I found a small scrap of pink jersey in my stash, leftover from this T-shirt I made for Cassie, and cut strips to inset in the joining seam of the top, and then I cut the bottoms off the pj bottoms and inserted a strip in each of the pj legs too.

My old brown bathrobe was also long overdue to be replaced; the kids gave it to me for Mother’s Day about 20 years ago?!! I’d seen a pink bathrobe advertised in the Spotlight catalogue which looked promising, however when I checked it out it actually wasn’t pink at all, but more of a greyish-mushroom pink. Quaite hideous and tres disappointing! As luck would have it though, right beside the offending, not-pink bathrobe was a bin of fluffy throw rugs – oh excuse me, cuddle blankets, and one was the most perfect shade of cherry-blossom pink a girl could hope for. I was instantly rendered powerless to resist and bought it with rose-covered spectacles and in a loveheart-pink daze.

And so I whipped up my own bathrobe! I’m so much in love with this, it’s not even funny. In fact I’m wearing it right this second. It’s so flooffffy!! and soft, and as light as a pretty pink cloud. And warm! I’m super happy with how it turned out. I made it to have a shawl collar, deep deep patch pockets, and belt loops for the self belt…

… and a hanging loop tucked under the collar facing…

The blanket was already hemmed on all sides when I bought it, obviously; so I resourcefully utilised these hems in the lower edge, the sleeve lower edges, and the tops of the pockets. The belt is also cut from one long side edge, and I simply folded over the raw edge and zig-zagged it over the ready-finished hem. Funny thing; the huge loft of this fluffy fabric meant I could hardly see what on earth I was doing while sewing this, seam allowance accuracy? HA!!!

Also, there was FLUFFF EVERYWHERE; all over the table, the floor and flying up from the sewing machine too… could hardly believe it was producing so much and with still plenty of massive fluffiness remaining, thank goodness! Of course I was wearing something dark coloured while sewing it. Murphy’s Law. I looked like I’d been through the wash with a tissue in my pocket…!

I’m gonna pop some caaaash, only got twenty dollars in ma pocket…

All raw edges for both pj’s and robe are finished inside on the overlocker, and the pink-inset seams are further topstitched down in a sort of faux-flat-felling effect.

Details:

Robe; my own design
Top; Burdastyle 09/2010;121
Bottoms; Closet Case patterns Carolyn pyjamas

Winter? I am ready!

Oh! almost forgot…. I had a big enough portion of the fluffy blanket leftover to make a new cushion cover too. Now I just have to keep it safe from The Marauding Doggie; whose favourite evening activity is to select a fluffy cushion and sit sucking and gently kneading it for ages. This might be a losing battle!

Posted in: sewing \ Tagged: bathrobe, Burdastyle 09/2010;121, Carolyn, Closet Case files, own design, pyjamas

a little bit of haute couture…

20/05/2017 7:24 pm \ 28 Comments \ Carolyn

…haha, just kidding. I’ve made some winter jammies for myself.

I bought this lovely, cosy, fluffy cotton flannelette from Spotlight months ago, actually during their 40% off everything sale in the height of summer, you know; when it’s so hot the thought of fluffy anything is too awful to contemplate… however it was rather fun to be able to choose from the full, pre-season range of prints and not just the end-of-season rejects like I normally do, ‘cos I shop at the beginning of winter when all the good stuff has all sold out … it really does pay to plan ahead! Who knew?! I chose this cutie cute-ums woodland animal print… too adorable for words, hmmm?… btw, cutesie little prints are not just for the kiddies. Old hags like me are allowed to wear them too, y’know. I almost bought a pink cupcake print, but this one does co-ordinate nicely with my fluffy slippers.

One’s sleepwear must always co-ordinate with one’s pussycats too, a mandate not often mentioned in fashion must-does even though it’s pretty darn IMPERATIVE

gratuitous pussycat pic

Patterns: well, in the past I’ve used the old pair of pyjama bottoms for all my new ones, and I almost did this time too then I was suddenly like, hold up… I actually have a lovely new pyjama pattern, and one that was named FOR MEEEE!! still pinching myself that Heather was so kind…! Obviously, the ol’ ego kicked in and held sway, and I made Carolyn pyjama bottoms. 🙂 I had to make them a little bit shorter due to not quite enough fabric … I didn’t take into account that my print was directional so I wouldn’t be able to flip the pattern pieces upside down! *kicking myself* I’ve previously made the shorts version of the pattern twice, here and here.

The top; well I used my standby Burdastyle 10-2009; 121 modified a bit… this time to have a higher, wider neckline with no centre front slit. I’ve found in the past that having the low V-neckline in pyjamas, my chest actually gets quite cold in winter and I’ve resorted to wearing scarves over my pyjamas… ridiculous!! so I cut the neckline high so my chest is covered up. I’ve used this Burda pattern three times before… here, here, and here; twice for pyjama tops. It’s pretty plain and boring and the easiest thing in the world to make up since you don’t even have to set in any sleeves… it’s basically like a completely shapeless flat sack with cut-on sleeves, sewn up. I require very little by the way of fancy elegance in my pyjama tops, so boom, done! I overlocked all the raw edges and topstitched the seam allowances down, like faux-flatfelled seams.

You may be forgiven for wondering… why hasn’t Carolyn used the Carolyn top pattern too? well, I did think about it, however I currently have other plans for that top awaiting in the wings; Rosie, @artworkerprojects on instagram has made so many beautiful versions of the pattern including this amazing dress. This version is my favouritest of favourite Carolyns that I have ever EVER seen! and I have the devious intention of shamelessly copying her… very soon, hehehe.

In the meantime… sweet dreams!

Details:

Top; Burda 10/2009;121, white cotton flannelette
Bottoms; Closet Case patterns Carolyn pyjamas, cotton flannelette
Slippers; made by me from floor mops, details here

Also, nothing to do with sewing, so yes, this is a little bit random … recipes make a very rare appearance here on my blog since cooking is not really my thing, but I’ve developed the perfect muesli!! this is SO YUMMY that I just had to share.

I prefer a fruit-free muesli, and for years I’ve been a loyal fan of a commercial brand, until it suddenly and inexplicably changed the formula to have quite a noticeable and very strong vanilla flavour. This completely ruined it for me. I been searching for another one, unsuccessfully… all the ones on the market here either have too much fat or sugar, or contain very highly process components like puffed rice; eww! So I finally got proactive and made my own.

This recipe gives a very nutty and wholesome muesli, that is not sweet. I LOVE IT.

Muesli

1/2 c pecans, roughly chopped
1/2 c flaked almonds
1/4 c sesame seeds
1/2 c pumpkin seeds
1/2 c sunflower seeds
1/4 c linseeds
1/4 c black chia seeds (optional; I only included these because we happened to have some that needed using up)
3 c rolled oats

Dry toast each ingredient separately in a frying pan over low heat, using no oil. The only exception is linseeds, which I’ve discovered will fly all over the place like popcorn so I don’t toast these! Stir frequently while toasting to avoid burning, and tip each into the same bowl once toasted and before doing the next ingredient. Do the rolled oats in batches. Mix ’em all together and let the muesli cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

I like it best mixed with natural unsweetened yogurt… enjoy!

Posted in: sewing \ Tagged: Burdastyle 10/2009-121, Carolyn, Closet Case files, pyjamas, recipe

ziggyzag madness

05/08/2015 5:03 pm \ 30 Comments \ Carolyn

buzzy buzz
I’ve made some zigzaggy bumblebee pyjamas, but not for me. This was a request. It is nice to get a request! well, every now and again I mean. Not too frequently, hehe.
I know they look pretty baggy on me but I’m happy to report that they do fit their actual owner very nicely. 🙂
The cotton flannelette is from Spotlight, and the colour and print were the choice of the recipient. Fortunately I pretty much had design carte blanche; the only stipulation was the yellow zigzag for the bottoms and the black for the top. I was worried about it all being a bit bland and/or strange looking, so decided to insert some piping from the other colour onto each piece for a bit of interest and to tie them more to each other, make it look more like a “set”. And it’s funny, because the fabric didn’t turn me on much at first, but doing that piping detail really turned them from “meh” to “hmmm, I think I likey!” for me! Now they’re finished, I even think, ahem; maybe I love them, just a little?
Serendipitous discovery of the day; chevron makes a rather attractive piping insert.

The yellow cuffs might look like an interesting design decision but were really a necessity born of lack-of-fabric, because I barely had enough of the black to squeak out the pieces for the top, and the pyjama-recipient wanted lovely long sleeves. Much longer than I had enough fabric for! eeeek! One thing I’ve learnt to my cost is that the Spotlight range of flannelette is very narrow; annoyingly so… grrrrrrr!
Although once I put those yellow cuffs on I actually love them too. I was very worried they would look weird too. Miraculously I think they do not. The top actually looked rather blah without them.
So woot! New jammies to keep my loved one beautifully warm and cosy for these last nasty days of winter, and I can tick another item off my list.
Also, I discovered there’s nothing quite like a set of oversized pyjamas for bringing out the diva supermodel in one’s posing repertoire…

Patterns:
The pyjama pants are traced from off of a previous pair, and have a faux fly, elastic waistband, side seam pockets and a folded cuffs with piping insert. The top is based upon Burda magazine 10/2009, top 121, with a minor modification; namely for the neckline to have an almost grandpa-like buttoned placket, but made with a front and back inner facing. The buttons are navy blue, also as chosen by the recipient. They work surprisingly well with black and yellow!
I’ve used this same top pattern twice before, firstly for my very own winter jammie top here, and secondly for my olive faux suede top.