I’ve been struggling to get going since I got home.
What with the cold, tiredness, a sore throat and a lack of motivation, I’ve spent rather too much time sitting in the kitchen drinking tea and browsing Pinterest.
So I decided I needed a totally non-work-related project to get me up off my backside and back to the sewing machine (yes, I know sewing is done sitting down, but you know what I mean!)
You may, or you may not, be familiar with my previous dressmaking adventures. Some were successful, others less so.
Despite having bought a few fabrics with the intention of making stuff to wear, I haven’t attempted any dressmaking for AGES.
Basically, because I lost all confidence in my ability to make anything fit, and I can’t bear the thought of wasting fabric on things that end up hidden in a cupboard and put down to experience.
But on holiday I spotted a fabric I couldn’t resist…
I immediately thought of lad when I saw it (he’s potty about dogs).
I knew he needed pyjama bottoms (no top required – he prefers a t-shirt). The fabric was on sale and stupid-cheap. It was the softest flannel – lad is very partial to a bit of softness. And I knew it was going to be chilly when we got home. So…
Despite there being only a metre left on the roll, and having no idea whether this would be sufficient for my purposes, I bought it.
It seemed the perfect dip-my-toe-back-in project. Apart from…
I had no idea what I was doing, and no pattern. The quantity of fabric was barely adequate. And the fabric, with it’s directional design, had to be used the right way up.
So it could have been a disaster. But – guess what… it wasn’t!
They’re a tad snug over the hips, but they’re a near-enough fit – and lad loves them!
And – joy of joys – they were easy as pie to make, using this tutorial from My Cotton Creations.
So easy in fact, that if I can locate sufficient suitable cheap fabric, I might even make a pair for me.
And hey – this project might even fit me. ♥
They look wonderful and I hope Lad liked them. They will keep him nice and warm. You have to make yourself some – I know I wouldn’t say no to a pair!
Half the struggle of making clothes for yourself or someone else is actually extracting the digit and just getting on with it. My favourite top at the moment, worn nearly to death, took me just over 2 hours, including the fancy-schmancy embroidery round the neckline. So get to it. Make yourself something cosy and comforting, thereby attacking inertia and the cold at the same time!
You are SO right about just getting on with it. But that’s my biggest issue at the moment. I have no energy, feel listless and ill, and doing anything at all feels like a struggle. I’m hoping this horrible feeling lifts soon.
I love these……I’d wear them myself (might need to be a size or two larger though!) 🙂 xxx
I’ve since read that when making them for adults you need to allow a lot more fabric around the top, and make sure the “rise” is high enough, to allow for the fact that we female grown-ups have a bum to accommodate (whereas 11 year old boys, to all intents and purposes, don’t!)
I am so glad they worked out! I too have lost confidence, I made loads of mod skirts and hipsters etc in the 80s without patterns. I struggle with a pattern now! I am currently attempting a pinafore dress with some wool from an upholsterer! I was going thru my Granny’s sewing box I have recently, amongst all the gorgeous threads, was a pattern for men’s pyjamas! I think a boy size also ( I am not at home). Had been wondering who would want such a pattern!
The pinafore sounds great – I’d love a nice pinafore dress with an A-line skirt. I’ve been wearing strappy or sleeveless dresses with a t-shirt or long-sleeved top underneath thus transforming them into pinafores when I don’t want to show too much flesh or need something cosier but don’t want to cover the frock up with a cardi.
They’re fab! The fabric would be a hit with my boys too. Bee xx
If only there was a branch of Spotlight nearby! Perhaps there will be some nice flannel fabrics available in the sales… might have to have a look-see.
The finished pjs pic just loaded, they look fab!
I’d like to see them modelled. I want some too….have to send some more doggy matierial.
I will see if I can persuade lad, but I don’t hold high hopes!
There is no more doggy material, alas – that was in the sale and I got the last bit on the roll. I found an old flowery flannelette sheet in my stash that would make a pair, or any lightweight floaty cotton would do if not too see-through. I’d need you to draw around a pair of your own pj’s and send me a pattern – click through to the tutorial to see what I mean.
Actually I’ve just remembered – I still have that worn-out pair of pj’s that Cath made you – did they fit ok?
Lovely pj’s and so nice to have you back in blighty and back on the blog – we missed you 🙂
Thank you! I’m still not quite back into the swing of it – no post today as I was just too out-of-sorts to write one yesterday. But I’m hoping to be more together next week.
What a wonderful fabric! I know we could not have resisted it either. Mind you we have bolts of fabric – particularly designs with bears of course – that we have put to one side without any idea what to do with them. We must get inspired to make clothes again!
I’d love a skirt with bears on!