Zackie's PJs got finished this morning. Took one hour to whip out the pants. Here's the lowdown:
Pattern: Simplicity 2771 , "Unisex Pajama". There's a lot I love about this pattern and have used it many times. First it carries every size from little tyke to Big Daddy and is not gender specific. I would love a pair of these for myself. It is pretty easy and you can take it to the next level creatively by doing the piping but not necessary. The only caveat here is dealing with the neckline band. It is sort of counter intuitive. You put on the band AND THEN you face the band after. It looks like the band is the actual facing but that is not the case and the first couple of times I made this it took me a bit to get my head wrapped around that.
Another thing I like about this pattern is the neck treatment. I've made classic notched collar pajamas. Forget that! With this neckline you don't have pjs coming out of the washer/dryer with a skewed crumpled collar. I mean really, who is going to iron pjs? Not even moi, who irons everything. With this neckline it always looks neat, especially for those Christmas morning snapshots.
A bit of advice: if you would like to add this to your stash for sewing lots of different sized jammies, wait till a Joann sale and get all the sizes at 99 cents a pattern.All the sizes are in one envelope but by having several envelopes you can cut out each size needed. It will save all the tracing I have done.
Fabric: This is a 100% cotton flannel from EQuilter,com from the North Woods Collection. There are some exquisite flannels to be seen there. It is very heavy, washed and dried with nearly no shrinkage and came out holding its appearance. I've used this line of flannel before and it is a delight to sew with. Be aware that sewing pajamas takes a lot of fabric and this is not cheap. You have long sleeves, pants and bodice. I believe I used 4 yards at 11.95 so you can do the math. BUT, these are being passed through the family, wear like iron, wash beautifully and most of all, the kids love them and ask for them. I have bought cheapo flannel and you never know quite what you are going to get. I highly recommend if you can go the expense. When your grandchildren ask you to make these and it's unsolicited, you know it's worth every penny.
The piping was also 100% cotton flannel. The bands are interfaced with Armo Weft.
PIC
Construction: This is pretty straight forward and just take it slow figuring out how to put the band on. It is easy to attach the wrong side which I did the first time I made this. Other than that it is simple. This would be a great pattern to learn/attempt piping as there are no sharp corners to turn. On my version the seams are all stitched then serged with some being topstitched. There is topstitching next to all the piping which brings out the 64,000.00 question. In my last post how did I get the moon on the pocket to not show the stitches? I did nothing. It is topstitched with the same navy thread but the flash bounced back off the moon and made it disappear. Pretty cool, huh? Now if time were nothing in my life I might have switched threads to a white for the moon but sorry, not this time! Because of yardage limitations I also did not make an effort to match the band. That could be done but it would require additional yardage and I felt maxed out on the expense of this project already. But that pocket matches and I feel good knowing that.
In conclusion: This is a great pattern. The fabric was wonderful and it's going to a very appreciative young man. I will no doubt make this again and again. I am thinking a pair for me but a winter coat is coming first. Got my Kasha lining today!!!...Bunny
These are way too cute, I'm sure your grandson will love them. I will definitely buy the patterns when they go on sale.
ReplyDeleteI will buy this pattern in multiples when it is on sale at JA. About the Kasha lining. I am making the Liesl & Co. Woodland Stroll Cape for my 15 yr old dgd. She is very tall and hopefully stopped growing. So this will last a long time. She wants Fabric.com 0275503 for the cape. The lining would be so expensive. Can you suggest a less expensive lining or a better quality fabric for the cape that has a similar look. I would like a better fabric for the cape but searches have not found anything similar to her choice. Thank you, Susan VH
ReplyDeleteI think you have to factor in your "cold quotient", my term for how cold does it get where she will be wearing this and how warm do you want this cape to be.Capes take a lot of fabric so you will need a lot of lining and I can see why this is costly. You did get a good deal on the fashion fabric! Another option would be to use some cheap flannel, washed three times, and then use a less expensive poly type lining. The lining will add warmth and won't breath as well but I have found that in jackets some are just not worn that long, drive to work and back type thing, or just an evening out. So you really don't work up a bead if the coat is off and on. HTHs.
DeleteThe flannel would be used as an underlining and you would still need a lining fabric.
DeleteWe are in central Florida. It can get in low 40's when she is waiting at hs bus stop. I would like this cape to last so maybe will go for the Kasha. I only need 1 3/4 yds and since the fabric is so cheap the total cost will be ok. Thanks for the info. Susan VH
DeleteSuper cute, such lucky little boy! You've inspired me to do a little more sewing for the little people in my life. Thanks for that!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! Even though the material costs are just under $50, try pricing really well made quality flannel pajamas. All the effort and interfacing you have put in will make these last and last and get handed down. That little boy will probably never want to take these pajamas off!
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly how he feels about the others I have made him. Thanks, Joan.
DeleteI ust did a search on L.L. Bean for kids flannel pjs and they are 39.95 and you better like camo because that is the only print it comes in. Oh, piping and TLC not included!
DeleteBunny, I love these and the pocket matching makes it extra special. I am with you on cheap flannel; I used to do a lot of pillowcases for foster children and the cheap flannel nearly always was a disappointment. Because of the huge number of pillowcases I was doing I was restricted to the cheaper stuff but tried my best to find a better quality on sale whenever possible. The cheap stuff is very linty and gets super thin quickly, it shrinks oddly so that the yardage ends up not square and is just a pain. I love good quality flannel and I happen to love equilter so that is where I go when I need something great. I must look for this pattern as I have many grands of many ages!
ReplyDeleteBunny, I love your expert description of your analysis and process of making the garments. I learn so much from you. Btw pattern review.com has simplify patterns for 2.99 for two days.
ReplyDeleteRegards
Bunny, these are fabulous! If you hadn't piped that pocket, I wouldn't know it was there!! Little man is sure to love them.
ReplyDeleteChiming in on cheap flannel: prints are often offgrain, so a tight match is impossible in the long run. I stick to woven plaids for that; I usually get them from our home stash of old flannel sheets that have been worn through at the foot of the bed. And yes, these are fab! A very traditional design I haven't done since I made my dad pj's when I was a young sewist.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! What we will do for these grandchildren. (says the woman who makes 13 pair of Christmas pj pants for the second year in a row)
ReplyDeleteOh, my!
DeleteThey look so comfy yet stylin’!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
Great job! Value: Priceless! And TLC doubles the value ;)
ReplyDeleteYour workmanship is so impeccable. Seems a shame that the perfect pattern matching is only seen in bed.
ReplyDeleteThe way my grandchildren run around this will be seen all over the house!
DeleteLOL "piping and TLC not included!" How true!
ReplyDeleteExpertly done, Bunny, with all that piping & pattern matching. LOVE the fabric, too!
When you stated "The bands are interfaced with Armo Weft." are you referring to the cuffs of the sleeves AND the neckband/button areas? I'm not familiar with Armo Weft (will google it in a min) but I want to be sure of where you used it. sorry to be so dense.
I onlyinterfaced the neck bands, Rett. Armo Weft is a knitted fusible interfacing, heavier than a tricot. I really like it as it doesn't impede the drape but adds a lot of body.
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