Sunday, July 20, 2008

Down and Dirty Stashbusting

Making PJs is very gratifying. It's fast sewing that doesn't have to be perfect since they are just pajamas, I get to use up older stash, and I can stretch out the laundering of my stuff a bit longer. (I think the latter is my favorite!)





Both of these tops are the gathered front tees from the 02/2007 issue of Ottobre Woman. (So Belinda, who's ahead now in the count?) The pants are no-sideseam, Kwik Sew 2779. The green pair is not new. But I needed a short-sleeved top for them since the top I made when I made those pants is long-sleeved and too hot for summer in Florida. You would think with the A/C running 24/7 it wouldn't matter, but it does. My body knows when it's 40 degrees or 150 degrees outside, even if the inside temp remains constant.

I haven't really fit this pants pattern because I just don't care if my PJs have a baggy bum or crotch wrinkles. The pants fit well enough and they're always made from knits, which stretches when you sleep in it anyway. The only "alteration" I've done is to reduce the CF length for my tilted waist so I don't have to pull them up to my armpits in the morning. ;-)

Both tops are a longer length than I'd wear out of the house because I like more coverage when I'm sleeping. I don't like my shirt hems in my armpits either. I made the yellow top with extra ease because it's a really cheap knit that I just know is going to continue to shrink.

I cut these out one evening last week, so it was all construction today. The fun stuff. But I was a little *too* quick on the draw when I cut up the scraps to use as household rags. Seems I forgot to cut a binding strip for this one. Oops.



Oh well. I just dug out some plain white interlock and threaded up with lime green thread and called it an embellishment. PJs, remember? Who cares!

I used my coverstitch binder for both necklines and also for the sleeves on the yellow top. I had to wipe off the cobwebs, though, since it seems like forever since I used any of my binders.



And voila! Dirt cheap pajamas that took less than an afternoon to sew, and which look a whole lot prettier than sleeping in a ratty old tee shirt. The only problem with pretty PJs is that one may not feel highly motivated to change out of them in any big hurry in the morning. Ahem.

Next on my agenda is to have a look at Jalie 2806, which arrived here Friday. I'm going to compare the sizing to both the recent Jalie Sweetheart top and to my ever-TNT Ottobre tee before deciding on sizing and/or alterations. I want to make the gathered fold-over neckline, a style that's been popping up all over RTW and which I've wanted to make since I saw one in a Burda WOF from over a year ago (too lazy too look up exact issue). I need to do it soon before it pops OUT of style.

But I think right now I need a nap. That's what Sunday afternoons are for, right?

17 comments:

  1. Cute PJ's. I really need to get me a coverstitch machine. You do great work with it!

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  2. Very nice! I need to quit sewing for my boys one of these days and sew some PJs for ME!

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  3. Cute, I think if I wore those type of PJs, I'd be in them all day long.

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  4. I think you are so right, with pretty pj's and working at home - why get dressed? I'm glad to hear that you don't wear them to the grocery though :) g

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  5. I used my binder attachment for the first time! I don't think I could have done it without your wonderful FAQ pages. I finally just printed them out instead of running back and forth to look at the computer. :) Oh, and I love your sharpie marker trick.

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  6. Love the PJ'sGreat idea for using up stash. I don't know why not getting out of your PJ's would be a problem ;-)! I am one of those that does housework in my PJ's and only change out of them when I'm done my "chores" for the day. I might use this idea to get rid of all those florals that the dgd's say are to babyish for them now. I can't see what the difference is between one floral and another, but they have definite ideas about which ones are babyish and which are not. Maybe wearing babyish will take a few years off me. LOL
    Can I pick your brain since you are the queen of the coverstitch binders? How do you think one would accomplish the neckline treatment in this T? http://tinyurl.com/5zmpy3

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  7. "But I think right now I need a nap. That's what Sunday afternoons are for, right?"
    That's RIGHT, Debbie!!
    "Snooze Sweet", as we say in RHOTO-ville...

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  8. I am reading this on Monday afternoon and the funny thing is today is a weird day that I stayed in my jammies all day. It was not intentional just sort of happened when my original plans went awry. Jammies are a great thing especially the ones that are sewn as the fit and fabric is so comfy. I love how you put the ottobre t for the top for a different take on the jammies. If I did some of these my family probably would not even realize they were jammies especially if the summer ones were capris. What a plan you have inspired me to put together for summer around the house. mssewcrazy

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  9. Cute PJs! I'm a nightgown girl and I FINALLY got an "ah-ha" and think I'll make the Ottobre T shirt longer for a nightie! Thanks for the inspiration! Maybe I'll figure out the binders for my CS machine one of these days.

    I love the top you just made too--very inspiring!

    Lynda

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  10. Cute PJs! I'm a nightgown girl and I FINALLY got an "ah-ha" and think I'll make the Ottobre T shirt longer for a nightie! Thanks for the inspiration! Maybe I'll figure out the binders for my CS machine one of these days.

    I love the top you just made too--very inspiring!

    Lynda

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  11. Cute PJs! I'm a nightgown girl and I FINALLY got an "ah-ha" and think I'll make the Ottobre T shirt longer for a nightie! Thanks for the inspiration! Maybe I'll figure out the binders for my CS machine one of these days.

    I love the top you just made too--very inspiring!

    Lynda

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  12. Love those instant gratification, stash busting projects!! Great PJ's!

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  13. ...and now we see your true motivation for working from home: the ultimate in comfy wardrobe!

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  14. I love pajamas! You've given me a wonderful idea - coordinated jammies to work at home in so no one KNOWS that they are jammies! Genius!

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  15. I need new pj's too. My ratty old KISS tank is lookin pretty shabby indeed.

    I love the lime topstitching! I really enjoy when my mistakes end up looking like planned artistic embellishment. ;)

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  16. Great PJ's. I missed this post a few days ago (it didn't show up in my Bloglines). I haven't got a clue who is ahead in the Ottobre tee stakes :) as I stopped counting. After about 15 I don't think it matters anymore. :)

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  17. I was just thinking last night - I need more PJs! I'm tired of wearing T shirts! Look out stash!

    Love your fabric choices!

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