Saturday 28 April 2012

Let's get this party started…


…with my awesome PJ's!  In this post I said that if I made two pairs of PJ bottoms I'd be happy and if a matching top happened to turn up too, I'd be ecstatic.  Well I'm ecstatic!  So without further ado, here are my newest bedtime buddies.


Both pairs of bottoms were made using Simplicity 9871, officially the easiest pattern in the world.  They were ridiculously easy to make, but that's no excuse for not taking the time to make them beautifully, so I French seamed everything in sight.  

Very satisfying.  The only change I made to the pattern was to chop three inches off the length.  And for those of you who are interested and are a similar size to me, I made a size small (the pattern runs from XS to XL).  

For the top, I used the Colette Sorbetto pattern, with added sleeves.  I got the sleeve pattern from Sew Incidentally's blog - she's very kindly made it available as a downloadable PDF, what a superstar! The Sorbetto turns out to be the perfect pattern for a PJ top.  The centre pleat adds just enough interest to stop it looking too boring, and the fact that there are no waist darts gives you the roominess essential for slouching around. I love the colour of this shirting, it's the exact colour of my eyes (it's much more grey in real life) but yes, it is a bit boring, so I added some pale blue gingham bias binding around the edges to girlify it.  

I'm also aware that because of the colour and style, the top and bottom worn together look more than a little like hospital scrubs!  Ahem. I'm not worried though, I can always mix and match and wear my lovely floral bottoms with the top as a change. Like this...
Obligatory 'jumping on the bed with mad face' shot
I'm so pleased I've finally taken the plunge and made pyjamas. They're quick and easy to make and it's a great way to use up fabric that you're still undecided about. If they don't look perfect, who cares?  You'll be in bed blissfully asleep in your handmade lovelies.

Now, if you've read this post, you'll know that our fearless PJ leader Karen is off to San Francisco in May to take in the sights of that amazing city, and have a week of one-to-one sewing tutelage!  I'm SSOO envious!  There's a nice little coincidence coming up though - as part of her round-up post, Karen also wants to know what our current bedtime reading is, and wouldn't you know it, I'm reading the Tales of the City series by Armistead Maupin.  

If you haven't read this wonderful series of books, I'd highly recommend that you do.  They're set in San Francisco (there's the coincidence!) and follow a real mixed bag of friends from the 1970's to the 1990's.  They're charming, funny, romantic, sad, the characters are fab and they're very, very readable.  Every few years, when I'm between books ,or ill, or bored, or all three, I re-read them and I never tire of them.

Enjoy your time in San Francisco Karen, you'll have a ball. And thank you so much for organising the Pyjama Party - it's been fab.  x

45 comments:

  1. Jane, I am actually dying of CUTENESS OVERLOAD!!!! You are just too cute for school. I want to wrap you up and put you in my pocket. How utterly, utterly adorable. Thank you for taking part!

    ReplyDelete
  2. NB Your elasticated waistbands are awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hooray - another pillow-fighter!
    I think this sewalong is going to bring out all the nutters (in the best possible sense!) ;)
    Oh - sorry - love the pjs! Mix and match is definitely the way to go!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope it does, I love the idea of PJ wearing nutters en masse. x

      Delete
  4. Fab pjs and loving the French seams, Jane! I made some for Mr Ooobop as a birthday prezzie. Didn't think I'd be so jealous of everyone's makes. Best I make me some now! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, French seams are the best aren't they! I might make my husband a pair too, good idea! x

      Delete
  5. Oj Jane I love your PJs, they're gorgeous! I love the idea of adding sleeves to the sorbetto for a top too.... might actually have to do a sleeved version of the sorbetto for a summer top now I know the template is there already!

    Any if anyone is up for a virtual pillow fight, i'm in!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Helen! Yes, I'll definitely be adding the sleeves to another Sorbetto this summer too! x

      Delete
  6. Very sweet pyjamas. My husbie recently commented on the less than seductive state of my sleepwear...guess I might get around to making some new ones myself.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tell me about it! That's why I made two pairs - mine were a disgrace! x

      Delete
  7. Oooh lovely Jane, I love both pairs and the Sorbetto is the perfect accompaniment! And look at those gorgeous french seams...swoon!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Just wonderful, two pirs of bottoms, I love then mix and match! I also think the binding on the top is really pretty well done. x x x

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jane they are lovely & what a great idea to use the cap sleeve sorbetto for the top. I am in love with the floral fabric bottoms ....
    I am also enjoying getting new reading options. I think I read the first Tales of the City years ago.... it'll go on my list now - thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh you must Winnie, it's like reading an old childhood favourite!

      Delete
  10. Nice! I like em better mix n' match, monochrome is a little bit uniform-like (but still pretty).

    http://theperfectnose.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Yes mix and match is my favourite too! x

      Delete
  11. Great PJs! I adore the print you used and Karen is right, your little outfit is so cute!

    French seams - oh how I love french seams! I'll defintiely use them on my next pair!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They're the best, I definitely recommend it! x

      Delete
  12. Very nice! And as a big fan of the likes of ER and Grey's Anatomy, I don't think there's anything wrong at all with the hospital scrubs look! Well done on finishing everything, it all looks lovely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I knew there'd be somebody out there who would appreciate the hospital chic look! x

      Delete
  13. Two pairs! They're both neat, but I'm particularly loving the floral - very cute!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Lovely PJs. Such a great idea to use the Sorbetto top with sleeves as a top. Off to see if I have enough fabric to make myself one!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You go girl, i would make a perfect top for summer and you don't need much fabric! x

      Delete
  15. Love your Pj's, especially the sorbetto top. Think i might do something similar to match my new Pj bottoms! How did you do your elastic?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I just made a normal casing for the elastic - I did top stitch round the top edge as well before I inserted the elastic. I think that helps make it more even. x

      Delete
  16. Lovely pjs Jane! Beautifully made, mix and match, fine details - you put me to shame that's for sure! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, but I haven't got a relatively new baby taking up all my time! Mine are both at school all day so I can fiddle around with French seams at my leisure! x

      Delete
  17. Really nice PJ's tey look good on you!

    ReplyDelete
  18. The gingham binding is a really nice touch! I should have planned to have enough fabric for a pj top like you!

    ReplyDelete
  19. These are lovely - like everything you make!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Very pretty! I love that they are as neat and tidy inside as they are cute outside. And I love the Tales of the City books too.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love your sleeved sorbetto andyouve reminded me, I need to read more Mauling!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love that you made mix'n match PJs AND the insides looks neat and polished :)
    Also, I noticed, your wall color is almost exactly the same as my living room color (though in my pics it's more muted looking than it really is) crazy!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love your PJs, both pair. The trim on the Sorbetto is a sweet touch.

    ReplyDelete
  24. These are lovely. I didnt have time to make my self some for this sew along but I am dying to at some point.
    What is the flowery fabric you used?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Pippa. The flowery PJ's are actually made from an old sarong my friend gave me! There was only just enough so good job I'm short. x

      Delete

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...