The better part of ten yards
March 17, 2010
I made the girls some pajama pants - two pairs of pants and one pair of shorts each. This happened about three weeks ago and I just haven't found the time to blog about it. And they want me to blog about it. So I am.
They wear the same size clothes despite being two years apart in age which helped make this a fairly easy project. I didn't use a commercial pattern. Instead, I took a pair of p.j. pants that fits them both well and used that to make a paper pattern. The hardest part of that was adding the seam allowances. Seriously. I cut all 6 pairs out and then sewed them together assembly line style. Fast and a great stash buster to boot. I'm working on some embellished tank tops to go with them and then I plan on making a nightgown or two to round out their night time wardrobe.
I wish I had a better photo, but I don't. Our kitchen remodel has started and it's pretty hectic around here. I'm hoping to hole up in the studio for a good chunk of time tomorrow. Cross your fingers for me.
That is the same way I make all of our pajama pants, as well. Super easy, esp. with the serger!
E has been begging for some nightgowns. Do you have a pattern picked out yet? I'm needing some inspiration there.
Posted by: Grace | March 17, 2010 at 02:12 PM
PS: I love the peonies in your banner! All that pink! Swoon.
Posted by: Grace | March 17, 2010 at 02:13 PM
That's on my to-do list for both of my kids. Gunnar's pj pants are all hitting at capri length now (but still fit around him - go figure). Why do they grow so fast?
So here's the question. The outgrown pants for both of them are all Heather Ross Lightning Bugs fabrics - vans, goldfish, seagulls, gnomes. Do I save the pants, or do I cut them apart for the fabric? Hmm....
I've been thinking of you with the remodel. Can't wait to see when it's done!
Posted by: Sarah :: greenclogs | March 17, 2010 at 02:14 PM
I don't have a nightgown pattern yet. I might try to make one up for that too!
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | March 17, 2010 at 02:20 PM
um, you cut them up. just like i did with that flea market fancy twirly skirt in the left hand column. ;)
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | March 17, 2010 at 02:21 PM
You are braver than me. :)
Posted by: Grace | March 17, 2010 at 02:30 PM
Ack! You cut up that skirt?!?!?! Oh, well, at least it survives in photo form. LOL
Posted by: Grace | March 17, 2010 at 02:30 PM
I make pillowcase dresses (out of yardage, not pillowcases) for Katie's summer nightgown. Easy-peasy and they fit forever (a bonus). For winter nightgowns I use a basic raglan sleeved elastic collar shirt or dress pattern (extend the shirt obviously) and they also fit forever.
summer: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mamaurchin/696636441/in/set-72157601521870188/
winter: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mamaurchin/2166224123/in/set-72157600119835209/
Posted by: Mama Urchin | March 17, 2010 at 02:49 PM
I love that bottom fabric. So cute.
Kitchen remodels are no fun. We had that done when we moved into this house. Good thing is BBQ season!
Posted by: minnesota:madre | Sarah Jane | March 17, 2010 at 02:53 PM
Lily has been asking for night gowns, so I guess I had better get busy with that. I'll probably be making it up as I go :-)
Posted by: beki | March 17, 2010 at 03:16 PM
I love making pajamas--and I do the same thing. No pattern, just my favorite pair to model after.
Posted by: PippaPatchwork | March 17, 2010 at 03:30 PM
i know what you mean about brain bending when it comes to the seams. i usually just trace around my paper pattern directly on the fabric and then cut what seems to be about 3/8 to 1/2 an inch from the traced pencil lines; works up so super fast.
Posted by: mandy | March 17, 2010 at 04:04 PM
Fun fabric choices for pjs! I meant to do this with flannel over the winter but it never happened. Even have have an old pair of my hubby's stashed away to make a pattern out of for pjs him. Maybe it will happen for summer!
Posted by: Anna | March 17, 2010 at 04:24 PM
i need some more lounge pants!!!!!
Posted by: leslie | March 17, 2010 at 04:39 PM
Fingers crossed! (Toes, too!)
Posted by: Sara | March 17, 2010 at 07:01 PM
oh, i love those fabrics!! can't wait to see the pants!!
Posted by: natalie @ our old southern house | March 17, 2010 at 08:37 PM
Dang, how could you have anything other than sweet dreams in those? Though the stash-buster angle might be the best reason, really! Sending good re-model mojo your way...
Posted by: Molly | March 17, 2010 at 09:06 PM
It's a pajama jammie jam!
Posted by: dorie | March 17, 2010 at 09:51 PM
is that you, eren? ;)
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | March 17, 2010 at 10:31 PM
I've had acres of striped green flannel sitting around for weeks waiting to be made into pyjamas - I think you've given me the push I need to go and make them (without a pattern!)
Posted by: Islay | March 18, 2010 at 04:58 AM
so exciting about the kitchen. I wish I could make my kids some more pj pants. They're so tall (esp Ian) that I'm figuring 2 yards for each kid per pair for pants, yikes!
Posted by: blair | March 18, 2010 at 09:16 AM
I've been wanting to try this--but my spacially-impaired brain can't figure out how to trace the pants. I assume you fold them in half and trace them twice? Then cut it on the folded fabric? I have several thrifted sheets that went to the picnic blanket from Handmade Home, so the leftovers seem perfect for kids' jammie-pants.
Thanks!
Brandi
Posted by: Brandi | March 18, 2010 at 09:31 AM
you are spot on - it took 2 yards for each pair of pants and 1 for each pair of shorts!
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | March 18, 2010 at 11:48 AM
hi brandi - trace one front side and one back side, add seam allowances, hem and casing. don't cut on the fold - you want 2 fronts and 2 backs. sew the center seams together, then the side seams. finally sew the inseam of the legs in one big hem. hope that helps.
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | March 18, 2010 at 11:50 AM
that's a great idea! i'll try that next time.
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | March 18, 2010 at 11:53 AM
i am so happy we have a grill!
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | March 18, 2010 at 11:53 AM
i always forget about pillowcase dresses! and lengthening a shirt pattern is another great idea. thanks, j.
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | March 18, 2010 at 12:07 PM
I will give it a shot...thanks!
Posted by: Brandi | March 19, 2010 at 06:36 PM
Reading about your sewing always makes me want to run into my craft room and sew, sew, sew.
Posted by: Steph VW | March 20, 2010 at 10:28 AM
All of my surplus fabric laying around is girly and I've been blessed with two boys... they don't like flowery PJ bottoms so much. Sigh. You've inspired me to make them some new PJ bottoms though, so maybe I'll take a drive to the fabric store.
How do you do your waistbands? Elastic or drawstring?
Posted by: Kate | March 20, 2010 at 07:45 PM
I use elastic for the kids and drawstring for me!
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | March 20, 2010 at 08:17 PM
Wow! Sounds like quite a fun time, hope you stay sane through the remodel! It will all be worth it in the end
Posted by: Chase l Oh The Cuteness! | March 22, 2010 at 03:56 PM
Thanks for reminding me about that show. I will check it out!
Posted by: Sara | March 23, 2010 at 03:23 PM
I can never get a good shot of pj bottoms, even with the cute hems.
My poor guy is Mr. Highwaters right now.
Posted by: sew katie did | March 27, 2010 at 02:05 AM