The Pyjama Game

I'm looking to teach a pyjama pant class this year so I wanted to find a good, reasonably priced pattern that I could use with students.  

My friend, Amy, who orders all the books, notions and other goodies for us at The City Quilter suggested this book, Sew Easy Pajama Pants by Cindy Taylor Oates which comes in around the $15 price mark.

I tested the pattern by making these two pairs of pyjama pants, one for my daughter, Flicky and one for my dil, Katie.

Fabrics:

Eucalyptus in Jade from the Pretty Potent collection by Anna Maria Horner for Free Spirit (and yes, I cut the fabric upside down! :( )

 Riddles and Rhymes Cloud collection by Tina Givens for Free Spirit

I made up one pair extra small and the other as a small.  The pattern is straightforward and easy but I was immediately concerned about the length from the waist to the crotch as the finished pants are supposed to sit on the hips rather than the waist.  Flicky, I knew, would be very happy with this fit but I wanted a higher waist for Katie so I adjusted the pattern for one pair adding an extra inch to the length in this area.

From the paper pattern I could see the leg length would be a perfect fit for me but I'm only 5' 2" - not a problem for Katie but Flicky is 5' 8" and likes extra length in her pyjama leg so I added extra inches to the length of her pants too.

I gave the girls their pj pants for Christmas, they were as eager to get into them as I was to see the fit on each of them.  I can report that both pairs fitted perfectly.  They both have enough ease in them but not too much so the pant fit isn't baggy, which is just how they like them.

I like the pattern, the price and design and it'll be great in class to be able to cover ways to lengthen and adapt patterns to get the correct fit.  The finished pants were a hit with my girls and there's no better recommendation than that!!!

What do you call yours: pyjamas, pajamas, jammies, pjs or do you have another word for them?

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The Tula Team - Tissues, Toiletries & Tote

Back in November 2013 I shared this Tula Pink bag with you - you can read all about it here:

A Tula Pink Quilted Tote - A Cure For Torn Ligaments

I made the tote to give to my son's partner, Ana, for Christmas 2013 and I also made coordinating accessories - a toiletries bag and a tissue cover.  If you're a regular reader you might have guessed by now that I never shared the accessories as what follows are more of those photos that have just resurfaced when I recently cleared out one of my cameras.

Fabrics used:

Topiary, Eye Drops and Spencer Stripe from the Parisville collection - all by Tula Pink for Free Spirit.

I love how the lining fabric is visible through the outer tissue cover, those fabrics work so well together.

Have you ever made something, forgotten about it then found a photo a while after?

There're even more photos of other makes on the camera, fun looking back at everything, though!


Disclaimer: 
This post is for informational purposes only, no payment or commission is received on click-throughs and opinions are my own.

 

 

A Tula Pink Quilted Tote - A Cure For Torn Ligaments?

"Last week I stood up." - doesn't sound too remarkable does it?  Let's try again, "Last week I stood up and tore the ligaments in my foot."  Yep, it was as easy as that; I didn't twist as I stood, I didn't topple and fall badly, I just stood up and the damage was done.  So I'm into week two of physical therapy and taking things easy until the foot heals enough that I can stand all day at work again at The City Quilter.

 So how am I passing the time?  Well, I've been sewing - with my bad foot raised and the other foot hard down on the pedal.  So following on from making my first ever shoulder bag I decided this time to try a quilted tote.

I've created the quilted tote by placing batting between the two layers of the bag and quilting it and I've done the same with the handles. I've made my own trim along the line where the bag sections join using a Clover 3/4" Bias Tape Maker just as I showed you in this earlier post.

I've used 3 fabrics from the Parisville collection by Tula Pink for Free Spirit:

 Main Bag - Spencer Stripe

Top Section & Lining - Topiary

Handles & Trim - Eye Drops

Who doesn't love Tula's fabrics?  If you didn't see it take a look at my post about her Trunk Show at The City Quilter.

I've had these fabrics in my stash for a while now, looking back through my blog they've actually been around for the best part of a year as I posted about them last December!

That's not the best photo of the lining but it was quite hard to take, holding the bag open with one hand and the camera in the other.  

Not really a cure for torn ligaments but it helped me pass a few productive hours and turns out to be a really sturdy bag and simple to make.  I'm pleased that I added the batting, it's made it more substantial and self-supporting.  

Is there Tula fabric hidden in your stash or have you already made something with it?  Go on, share your stories :D 


Disclaimer: 
This post is for informational purposes only, no payment or commission is received on click-throughs and opinions are my own.