Flannel Pajamas - A Snowy Day Necessity

When my house looks like this…

All I want to do is stay inside wearing my comfy flannel pajamas. I’m about due for another pair, so I spent some time looking through patterns and tutorials trying to decide which one to use. Here are some of my favorites…

 Basic Pajamas with Optional Ruffle

 This tutorial shows how to make your basic pajamas, using an existing pair as your template. I’ve done this before for my kids, and it is super fast and easy. I like the optional ruffle!

 

JoAnn Video

This is a JoAnn video that shows how to make flannel lounge pants using a store-bought pattern. It is helpful to see the techniques she uses to sew the pants together, but keep in mind that you will need a pattern to work from.

 

Flannel Pajamas With a Cuff

This tutorial by Shwin and Shwin adds a cuff.

If you prefer store-bought patterns, here are a few cute ones...

Pattern - Afterglow by Make it Perfect

Description: Afterglow is a super sweet nightdress designed for little sleeping beauties…You know, the little girls that just have to wear a dress everywhere?!! This simple design, featuring pleated front detail and dainty puffy sleeves, is comfortable and easy-to-wear for a good night’s rest. Due to it’s classic look, afterglow can easily double as a play dress with side ties – yep, good enough to wear day or night, dancing in the backyard or twirling in the bedroom! Sizes: 6 months to 5 yrs

Pattern - Slumber Party Jammies by Make it Perfect

Description: Send the kids to bed in style with a pair of funky, cool, Slumber Party Jammies! The matching drawstring bag makes a great gift bag which can later be used to hang on the end of the bed as a neat place to keep their jammies when they aren’t being worn! Sizes: 6 months to 5 yrs

Pattern Book - Sew Easy Pajama Pants by Cindy Taylor Oates

Every night feels like a slumber party when you are wearing a pair of pajama pants made from your favorite fabric. These pajama pants are a great project for the beginner sewer and the seasoned veteran alike. Variations include long or Capri length, with or without pockets, elastic waist or a combo of elastic and tie waist. Have fun making matching pillowcases, a great tote bag and bracelets to share with friends, Sweet dreams and remember…always wear cute pajamas! For Teens and Adults Sizes XS - XXXL

Pattern Book - Pajama Party by Cindy Taylor Oates

Make the color combinations as subtle and sophisticated or wild and crazy as you desire! Instructions and full-size center pull-out patterns included for: Pajama Bottoms, Pajama Top, Blue Nightshirt, Pink Nightshirt, Cow Print Pajamas, Blue Floral & Stripe Pajamas, Sleeping Mask, Hot Pink Dot & Strip Pajamas, Tri-Color Pajamas, and Duffle Bag. A fantastic project for your next quilting retreat or all-night ''sew-in''! Book includes pattern sizes S - XXL. size S is for a 6-8; M is for 10-12; L is for 14-16; XL is 18-20; XXL is 22-24.

Pattern Review: Izzy & Ivy Addie Jo Skirt

This could be the easiest, fastest little twirly skirt I've ever made!

I decided to test the Izzy and Ivy Addie Jo skirt pattern.

This pattern has 5 different options.  I tried 3 of them: the middle view with the big bow in the back, the far left view showing 2 layers, and the far right view, which is just a single layer of fabric.

Each of the 3 options took about 1/2 hour to complete.  Now seriously, how can you beat that? 

Skirt #1 is the basic skirt on the far right of the pattern.

We're talking a waistband piece, a skirt piece and elastic.  Super easy!  My daughter wanted this for church, but loves it so much, she has been wearing it every day for play.  I LOVE how the Ombre Dots are darker at the hem and then fade as they reach the waist.

Fabric: Riley Blake Designs Ombre Dots

Skirt #2 has two skirt layers.  Because these are sewn to the waistband at the same time, this option didn't take any additional time to make.  I did decide to hand pleat the skirt rather than use gathers.  This is something I choose to do once in awhile to save time and because I really don't like making gathers!

Fabrics: Top layer is Michael Miller Spa Scallop

Bottom layer is Heather Bailey's Welcome Road in Pink

Skirt #3 features the big bow in the back.  This skirt is essentially made in the same manner as both skirts 1 & 2, except that the bow is sewn into the side seams.

Fabric:  Riley Blake Designs Hot Pink Ombre Dot

So that's the scoop!  I give this pattern an easy 2 thumbs up.  You get instant gratification with a quick, easy project and it's so darn cute, the lucky recipient will absolutely LOVE it! 

 

Simplicity 3728

I thought I had lost my creative mojo for good these last few months, but I think it's back!  My youngest begged me to make her a new dress, so I reluctantly dragged myself to my pattern stash and pulled out this vintage Simplicity 3728 pattern.

At first glance, it's not so cute, but I knew that dress hiding under the apron-thingy in View 2 was exactly the dress I was looking for. 

 

I decided on this adorable Green Meadow floral print from Sarah Jane's Children at Play collection.  For the collar I chose some good quality muslin I had on hand, and for the sleeve binding I used simple store bought bias tape.

 

The back called for a button closure, which I think adds to the charm of the dress so much better than a zipper in this case. (Yes, I know the white thread clashes with the red buttons - I was too tired to worry about it at that point:)

I think she likes it!  And I'm now thinking of more projects I can start working on - yes, I think I got my mojo back!

Joel Dewberry Meadow Spirit Skirt: Pattern Review

I fell in love with the Joel Dewberry fabric and sewing patterns when I saw them at Quilt Market. This weekend, I finally got a chance to sit down and sew myself a skirt using the Meadow Spirit Skirt pattern.

I was very nervous, because my experience sewing with clothing patterns is very limited. The Meadow Spirit Skirt has an interfaced yolk, pleats, and a zipper. Sounds scary, huh? Actually, I was able to finish the skirt successfully in a surprisingly short amount of time. The instructions were thorough, accurate, and easy to follow. And guess what? The skirt actually fits! :)

Crochet Flower: The pattern has instructions for the crochet flower as well. I don't know how to crochet, so I didn't do that part. If you don't crochet but still want the flower on the sash, you can get crochet flowers at The Dizzy Daizy and Flannel Queen.
Where to purchase Joel Dewberry patterns: The Dizzy Daizy and Flannel Queen
Fabric Used: In my skirt, I used Michael Miller Charcoal Dandy Damask and Riley Blake Essential Dots.
Jewelry: The necklace I am wearing is handmade by Ellabelle.