Friday, November 8, 2013

Warm and oh so cozy pajamas

Not all flannels are alike.   If I am going to make something with flannel I really pay attention and a few extra dollars for "quality".  Nothing annoys me more than to make a pair of PJ's and have them look fuzzy and pilled even before they are worn.   I usually find most of my flannel at my local quilt store but I have been lucky enough to find some at chain fabric stores.   My current sewing project is making pajamas, robes and slippers. 


The PJ pattern from Little Abbee can be purchased here:
Slipper pattern: http://www.pixiefaire.com/collections/18-inch-doll-shoe-patterns/products/cozy-slippers-18-doll-shoes designed by Eden Ava.

Sewing info: I was pleased with the pattern but as usual I did make some adjustments to construction.     The only size adjustment I made was to shorten the bottoms and sleeves by 1/4 inch. Construction wise. (sewing info update (12/01/13)  Shoulder seam bulk.  In order to reduce the bulk in the shoulder seam area:  1) Finished raw edges of the shoulder seams allowance with a serger or
zig-zag stitch.   2)  Stitch front and back bodices pieces together per pattern instructions.   3)  Press shoulder seam open and flat.   4)   Hand tack shoulder seam allowance down.

                    The pattern instructions called for "set in" sleeves.....so I did follow that for the first 2 pairs.... but I hate "set in sleeves"!!  Then I switched to "flat" sleeve construction so much easier and just as nice.   I hemmed the flat sleeve first and machine basted 1/8"  from the sleeve head.  After pinning and stitching the sleeve in,  I then stitched the sleeve and side seams in one continuous mode.  Top stitching:  After hemming I top stitched up the front and around the neck.  Pockets.....I love the look of them but they do require some extra care to insure multiple pockets are the same size and shape.  On the rounded pocket for this pattern, I marked with a fabric pen the 1/4 stitching line then machine basted along that line.   I  pulled on the thread tails to gently gather the rounded bottom edge of the pocket so it curves nicely and evenly, finger press then iron the pockets to get a clean crisp shape.  Understiching....I  use this technique often and on this  pattern I used it along the neckline of the back bodice and along the front facing pieces.

Slipper notes: I  found just pinning and stitching the 2 soles in place was a bit of a challenge for me sewing on the curves with all those pins, so after the first pair I made I decided to hand baste those pieces in after marking the 1/4" stitching line on the base & sole pieces. Doing that made it easier for me to sew and the seams were spot on. I also used my pinking shears and trimmed the seams to eliminate some of the bulk. On my next pair I am going to shorten the slipper top a scant 1/8" across the top, I felt the slipper top fit just a tad too high on the dolls foot. On one pair I top stitched across the slipper top which looked nice too....

9 comments:

  1. Thanks for posting. I have had this pattern for the pjs for several months. Any feedback or modification on the slippers?

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  2. I found just pinning and stitching the 2 soles in place was a bit of a challenge for me sewing on the curves with all those pins, so after the first pair I made I decided to hand baste those pieces in after marking the 1/4" stitching line on the base & sole pieces. Doing that made it easier for me to sew and the seams were spot on. I also used my pinking shears and trimmed the seams to eliminate some of the bulk. On my next pair I am going to shorten the slipper top a scant 1/8" across the top, I felt the slipper top fit just a tad too high on the dolls foot. On one pair I top stitched across the slipper top which looked nice too....

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  3. Love the pajamas and the feedback. Adorable!

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    1. :>) Thank you. I am at 12 sets and counting. Great pattern....listed your Etsy Shop in my "patterns (for sale) section and look forward to seeing more sewing patterns on your site.

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    2. do you make buttonholes and buttons, or do you use another method of closures?

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    3. I've tried a few different treatments. Snaps, Button/buttonholes and Velcro. I prefer to use Velcro. I did add a button to the top more for a little extra detail but there is no buttonhole and the Velcro keeps it closed.

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  4. Looking for the pattern for those adorable pjs, but all I find on the link above is crocheted animals ...

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    Replies
    1. I sell the pattern. I am in the process of adding all of my patterns to the Pixie Faire website. I have removed them all from my Etsy shop and you can now find them sold exclusively here: http://www.pixiefaire.com/collections/little-abbee. I am in the process of revising the pajama pattern right now, though, and so it is not on the Pixie Faire website yet. If you would like to purchase it, I can send an invoice to your Paypal account and email the pattern to you. Let me know. My email address is littleabbee@yahoo.com. Thanks!! I will let you know when I get the pattern up on the Pixie Faire website.

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  5. Me encantaría si subieces el patrón de los pijamas

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