As I’m now considered an ‘Adult’ aka over 30 years old (that’s an adulty age yeah??), I feel like I’m supposed to have actual sleep-wear in my wardrobe. Adults have that right?? But sewing pajamas that no one will ever see besides my husband, hasn’t been at the top of my sewing list…. until now.
So much skin… Eeek! Over the weekend I made up a wearable muslin version of Grainline’s Lakeside Pajamas.
My “wearable muslin” turned out 100% wearable as I don’t even need any modifications after picking out my size and stitching these up. So on the blog they go!
This is surprisingly the first garment I’ve made using Grainline patterns, and I have to say… this pattern is PRECISE. Lovely & precise! All notches matched up without fail – all curves were just *so* even the waistband seam fell right on the shorts side seam without forcing it to happen. LOVE!!! After sewing for several years, I really have come to appreciate precision in pattern drafting.
This is truly how I feel with wearing shorts!
Pulling these suckers down to my knees is my first reaction. It has really-truly-and honestly been 10+ years since I’ve worn any shorts. I don’t even lounge around the house in shorts….
So what prompted me to make a pair of pajamas??? Well… I’m going back to Paris in August and felt it was high time I pack & wear some actual coordinating pajamas. It was just time… Adulting and all that jazz.
I’m going kinda solo, too. I was offered the opportunity to go to France (after applying of course) through my work, DePaul University, as part of a Vincentian Heritage/Mission Learning guided tour with about 25 other folks from DePaul. My husband won’t be coming with and I’ll be with 25+ strangers from DePaul on the tour. Its gonna be a great learning experience… and something totally different for me. I’ll be spending the first two weeks of August on a bus/guided tour, which will be very interesting for an introvert like me. lol
So… back to Pajamas.
I’m sure I should have altered the back bodice in some way to prevent some folds – but again pajamas. They feel great on and fit, so really that’s all that matters to me.
I got this cotton voile fabric for free and its not quite *me*. It’s cute and all but I’m not exactly a paisley pattern kind of girl. I do love the color though… Perfect for a wearable muslin.
When I was cutting the bodice I made sure to align one of the major motifs down the center front. Any other placement would be a bit…. wrong if you know what I mean. Same goes for the shorts.
As you can see I have done some skilled & precise image cropping – this is as much thigh as the public gets to see of me & my legs. lol My thick, nordic legs are best left undercover. lol Don’t get me wrong, I love how strong my legs are… but they’re pasty white and well… let’s just leave it at that.
Let’s see… I cut the top with a straight size 6 and I believe I made the shorts in a straight size 12. Yup totally pear shaped.
While this is so not my asthetic… you really can’t beat a comfortable pair of pj’s. As soon as I made them up and tried them on – ON they remained for the rest of the day. While making 7 yards of bias tape almost killed me – it could have been worse since I decided to make 7 more yards of bias for the second pair. heh
I just got my fabric pre-washed for the second version and can’t wait to make them for my upcoming trip.
Isn’t it perfect?! I generally don’t want to look like a tourist and wear Paris-themed garments, but I kinda want to… so being made into pajamas is a total win. :D
Happy Sewing!
In: Sewing
We must be on a Lakeside wavelength, because I just made a set too :) I can 100% vouch how comfy they are for lounging around the house! I LOVE these; the print is beautiful! Yay for adult things like nice pajamas haha!
I just saw your silk ones.. and I have to say binding in silk?! OMG…. I’m not used to using/making/sewing bias tape let alone silk bias tape. Mega props girl!
In my house, electrical is still a bit shoddy so I have to turn off my A.C. in order to turn the iron on. So imagine a hot sweltering room making 7 yards of bias tape. lol So much adulting right there. :D
Cute PJ’s! LOL, I’m 51 and failed at adulting because I don’t have a set of matching PJ’s, although I keep telling myself I need to get busy and make a set. I even own the pattern for the Carolyn pajamas. De Paul University – my hubby went to undergrad school there… but since I’m 51 that tells you it has been quite awhile ago… let’s see… he probably graduated when you were born. Now I feel old!
Angela… I hate telling folks my age; I’m always giving an age grouping so they never know my true number. But age is exactly that – a number – so no sweat. :D
I actually went to undergrad at DePaul too – which makes me feel old. lol The Carolyn pajamas are cute too; I have a vintage set that look identical so I couldn’t justify buying that pattern.
I have yet to make these, but I am getting more convinced! I’m worried they’ll leave my un-bra-ed bosom a bit too dangly and obvious through thin fabric.
They look fabulous on you, and that second fabric is totally perfect. Where will you be going in France? It sounds like an amazing opportunity. I’m an introvert too, and sometimes at functions I’ll just explain that I’m getting a bit fatigued (true, from socializing) or that I’m getting a headache (true, from noisy people) and put my headphones on. Don’t be embarassed to need some time to yourself!
When I’m ‘lounging’ aka working on sewing projects in the evenings at my house I still do wear a bra underneath. Sure the straps show, but its just me (and the hubby) so no one really cares.
We’re starting in Paris, then taking a train to the south of France and are working our way back up. Cities include: Paris, Dax, Carcassonne, Lyon, Beaune, and a bunch of other small ones.
Thanks so much for the introvert tips!! I splurged so I could get a hotel room all by myself since I know I’ll need some ‘alone’ time. But when I’m stuck in a group, these are excellent tips. We’re all adults so I’m sure they’ll understand either way.
Oh my, I love them! They’re so cute (and so are you!).
Thanks. :)
I’m with Lisette on the dangly boob issue, but really need some nice sleep wear so may need to give this set a try, love the back of them and they look great on you
Great job on these pjs. I like the green print and love the Paris print you are using on your second pair. Nice job.
They are adorable! I’m almost tempted.
I suspect the folds at the back are because you cut a straight 6 for the top, instead of widening out to the 12 over the hips. I mean, clearly the top fits as is! But it looks to me like the top isn’t hanging straight in the back, hence the folds.
Totally Rachel! I should have graded but didn’t… I thought the open back would accommodate my pear shape enough. It’s probably partly due to my short torso too. Heh