My friends made me do it

Sometimes I get an idea in my head and then I lose it.  Just like Rachel said.  Other times, it sticks and it won't go away.  My latest project had been floating around in there for a long time.  I completely and totally blame it on Leslie.  You see, she made those lounge pants.  My friend Suzanne saw that post and made her own.  But Suzanne never uses a pattern.  She wings it.  She just traced a pair of pants she owned and made herself a pair.  And then she made some for her girls.

There are plenty of things I can sew without a pattern.  But when it comes to clothes, I am pattern follower.    I don't sew many clothes - that is probably why.  I used to sew dresses for the girls.  I even made them some skirts and tops, but not so much any more.  Jane got picky, I got my feelings hurt and lost the desire.  Pajama pants, though....I thought Jane might just go for that.

On Sunday, I channeled my inner-Suzanne and traced a pair of Jane's flannel p.j. pants.  I added seam allowances, and then tried to figure out how in the heck to fit a pair of girls' size 8 p.j. pants on one width of fabric.  They just fit.  Just.

I used my serger to stitch these up.  FAST.  Super FAST.  Just how I like my projects.  I added button holes on either side of the front center seam so I could add a mock ribbon tie.  There is a full circle of elastic in the casing - each 12 inch length of ribbon is sewn to the elastic just inside the button holes.  This way there is no chance of my-pants-won't-stay-up issues, but they still have that cute touch.

Jane was not very happy with the fabric choices.  She sees all that fabric in the sewing room and thinks I can just make anything out of a fat quarter.  Hmmm....that would be nice, but I needed 1 1/4 yards and the pickings were kind of slim.  Not bad if you like say, green.  Or pink.  Just not much blue.  Or red.  The one I thought she would like, she didn't.  Instead of listening to her whine, I just chose for her.  I figured Kate would get two pairs if Jane never wore hers.

See, Kate is happy with almost anything.  Well, anything pink, that is.

I wish I had enough red ric rac to trim the hem of Jane's pair, but oh well.  I'm still going to call these a success.  Jane has worn them two nights in a row.  If that doesn't make them a winner, I don't know what does.

So you see, Leslie, it is your fault.  In a roundabout, very good, inspiring kind of way.  You, too, Suzanne.  You, too.

Thank goodness for friends.

Comments

[Belinda]

That's funny, we're all on lounge pant kick. I just finished a pair for my little one using a Jenny Clarke pattern. She's worn them every night since they came of the machine. There's nothing like a happy customer!

[mariarrosa]

I love them!!! I want to make them also for my children. I think Jane's pant fabric is lovely.

[jen j-m]

those are so cute! i don't want to tell you what my attempt at those would look like. you amaze me.

[miastella]

love them. I went with a 1950's pattern my mother in law gave me...they are the new birthday gift..along with an applique tank top! So easy and girls love them. I love the little bug print!! Super cute with the red tie!

[amy]

those are so cute!

[Rebecca]

they're great. It sucks when they have their own fashion ideas and hurt your feelings. good sewing!!

[Sarah]

I love that ladybug print fabric!

[meg]

you might just have made me want to do it, too.

[Stefani]

They are so adorable! And can I just tell you that I love the toothbrushing shots! Fantastically sweet.

[Meg Evans]

So cute! Makes me want to head out to the fabric store--it seems all I have are fat quarters...

nice job!

[leslie]

:)
fantastic!!
i love both of them, and the ribbon is the perfect touch.
but one thing is still missing.......YOUR PAIR! :)

[Marie-Louise]

I had the same experience when I saw Leslies lounge pants and after seeing yours, it's all coming back to me now. I must try to sew these pants for my daughters and myselfe:-)

[Sarah Jackson]

They're darling! 2 nights in a row is definitely success. Did I ever tell you about the Christmas Eve PJ fiasco? It'll make you feel so much better about Jane's resistance.

Speaking of which, I believe more pj pants are in order around here.

[Tracy]

omg those are SO CUTE! See? Now you're going to pass that along and make me want to do it, too!

[Caroline]

Okay, one MORE thing added to the ever-growing to-do list!

[julie]

I made similar pants for my daughter from a vintage pillowcase (and I am not good at sewing...at all). I like your idea for the elastic band with the ribbon and will have to try that on the next pair.

[Carrie S.]

Totally cute pants - I've been wanting make some for myself, but have been either too lazy or too scared. I don't sew clothes well, but after seeing this, I might try. Hmmm. Thanks for the inspiration!

[Mellissa - wondermommy]

Super cute! I dread the age when my daughter starts having an opinion about her clothes. For now, she likes anything.

[Amy]

lol- I jumped on the pj bandwagon too! Mine are from a super cozy old sheet and are always the first I grab when laundry is freshly finished. Hubby even wants a pair...just not flowers...lol

[kirsten]

ha! i can't believe jane passed on the horse fabric! crazy girl. i LOVE the blue/red combo - and how great that she's actually wearing them!

[blair]

These are so cute! My kids wear homemade pj pants most nights too. And its all about the print/color here too.

[Kelly]

I actually bought a thrifted pattern for Pj pants for 50 cents and have never used it. I'm thinking I should.
I love the blue ladybugs. So cute, but not too cute-sy.

[Sarah]

Having only Jack, it is most interesting to me how different the girls are about their preferences. If only my kid were on the more easy going side of the scale. LOL

The pants look great!

[beki]

I'll be sure not to show this to Lily because then I'll have to make some for her :) Those sure did turn out cute.

[Joanna]

These are great! I should do these for my 7 year old - she would love them!

[apple cyder]

I love that flutterby print. Your fabric stash is just wonderful.

[Melissa]

I love Jane's lounge pants...can I send you some red rickrack? Let me know!

[lera]

Those are adorable!!

[Liz]

I just got Amy Butler's In Stitches from the library for her lounge pants pattern! I'm glad to hear they were easy. I love your bug fabric and the red bow!

[Ali]

Gorgeous - I'd wear them. And I wish I'd done that elastic/ribbon combo on the last pair I made, because I'm so lazy about untying and re-tying them.

[Julie @ Letter9]

Love those green scarabs. : )

[miss chris]

I can't get past that you traced the pants and sewed them up. That's gutsy. Esp with brand spanking new pretty fabric like that. :) Cute!

[Crystal]

Awsome pants!

[suzanne]

haha! i love this! am thrilled to have served as crafty inspiration! you're right - these pants are so easy, and so fast. they totally jive with my whole instant gratification thing. i whipped up a pair for kate's birthday. me. i whipped something up on the sewing machine. who'd a thunk? i never would have seen the pants in the first place if it weren't for the snazzy crafty friends you have with great sites & ideas! the girls' pants are darling. you totally had to go & take it up a notch with your little bow. :-)

[cloth.paper.string]

leslie planted that same seed with me, and now you're adding the compost! these pants are so good -- and as always, have such great detailing. thanks, erin!!

[Donna]

I like how you combined the ribbon tie with the elastic--my daughters need the elastic to keep pants up over round tummies (as do I...), but the ribbon tie looks so pretty.

[katie]

adorable!

[Rachel]

Now YOU are making me want to make these darn lounge pants for the girls! Hmmm, time to start looking through the fabric stash!

[Tonya]

Too darn cute!

[amandajean]

the pants are great...and so is your photography.

[lyckoskatt]

where did you get that lovely fabric with ladybugs on it?

[Lisa Clarke]

Those are so great! Now you need to make yourself a pair :-)

[Meghan]

Well done, I'm a pattern follower too so am very impressed!!

[Jennie]

They are too cute! And your gals are so lucky to have such a creative mom. :)

[tinn]

so cute!!

[celine]

They are georgous....I am off to make some!

[Rachel L]

Oh my god, is everyone making these pants! I have just made a pair myself this morning using an old but much loved duvet cover and using another pair of pj pants as the template. I actually followed the guidelines for kids pants in Amanda's "Creative Family" book, and they turned out great! I can't wait to make some more for my 2 boys - I'm a recent newcomer to sewing but they were so easy, and so comfy! Thanks for all the inspiration.

[Morgan]

Oh my gosh! I've got to crank some of these bad-boys out before this baby comes. I'm in desperate need of some! Yours turned out adorable!!

xoxo

[kaet]

i agree that these are a success! they look super cute, and i love BOTH fabric choices!

[Lee-Ann]

I too have had the bug in my head to make myself a pair! And...thought my picky little 5 year old girl might actually like a pair also. Mine stems from the fact that I've been wearing the same pair of knit Santa Claus pants from Christmas 2002!!!!! They are pretty disgusting -
I've got several new (to me) sheets from the thrift store ready to become my new favs.
Thanks for the inspiration!!