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Summer Sleepwear- Butterick 6225 and Kwik Sew 3644

Do you spend a lot of time in your pajamas?   I have to admit that I do spend way more time in them than I should.   I usually put them on a couple of hours before bed, and then not change into something else until I've been up a couple of hours, so we're looking at about 12 hours a day!  But, my sleepwear is definitely the most neglected part of my wardrobe. And based on what I see others sewing on their blogs, it may be the most neglected part of everyone's wardrobes, as I rarely see anyone posting pajamas!

A few years ago, I did have a very posh set of coordinating polished cotton pajamas and a robe.  I paid big bucks for it, but wore it until the fabric had holes and the print had completely faded.  So, with that in mind, I set out to recreate something similar. 

The first step was the robe.  Since I wanted this to be summer weight, I needed a pattern that was designed for woven fabric- a knit or fleece robe would be too hot.  Enter Kwik Sew 3644. 

I know that Kwik Sew patterns are more expensive than the other Big 4 brands, but let me tell you- I was really glad that I chose this pattern.  The way that it applied piping was completely different than I would have done without their instructions.  And it turned out great.  Piping and I are not friends.  But this time, we were compatible, and I will credit Kwik Sew for that.



I had selected three blue coordinating cotton voiles from Fabric Mart for this set.  Cotton voile is super light weight- I even had to adjust the tension on my machine because it is so light that the regular tension wouldn't hold it down.    I read that if you have a roller foot, that you should use it when sewing voile.  I don't, but once I adjusted the tension, it sewed like a dream.

 The pattern has a contrasting facing, pocket bands, and sleeve bands.  Since this was my largest piece of the set, I used the largest print, which was a blue background with a cream and brown paisley design.    For the contrast, I used a blue and brown striped voile, as I thought the stripe would balance the very ornate paisley.  I used a bronze colored flat piping to bring out the browns in the print.  
 




The second step was the pajamas.  I have to say that I am not usually a ruffles kind of person, but when I saw Butterick 6225, I just fell in love with it. 

It has so many interesting details- small pleats on the front, a shaped front hem, and the ruffles around the neck and armholes.  So cute, and so much work!  About half way through, I realized why I don't have many tops with ruffles.  I just don't have the patience.   But, when I go back to my formula of how many hours a day I wear my pajamas, versus how many hours it took me to sew the ruffles, then it seemed like a pretty fair trade-off.




I used a medium sized blue floral print for the main body, and cut the facing and ruffles from the blue striped voile. I have to say that I think this top could very well be worn anytime of day. 

 
 I cut the ruffles on the bias to give them an interesting angle on the shirt.  I tried it on, and it slipped over my head easily, so I opted to just sew the buttons through all layers, rather than making buttonholes.  I want this to last a long time, and I figure that I am less likely to lose a button if they are just decorative and not functional.



To make the ruffled trim, you first need to do a baby hem on one side of the ruffle piece, then gather the other side.  Baste the trim to the garment edge, and then sew a strip of bias tape over the ruffle.  Turn the bias tape to the wrong side, and finally stitch it in place.  You can use purchased bias tape for this step, but I had enough fabric to make my own, so I cut 1-1/4” bias strips from the blue stripe.
Because this has a shaped hem, the facing on this top was extra wide. 
Inside view of top to show the bias tape finishing around armhole edge.
 I used the blue/brown stripe fabric for my front facings as well.  The facings are interfaced, so it is really important to use a featherweight interfacing, or else this could get too heavy.   For the shorts, I used the blue stripe again.  The shorts are just the standard elastic waist pull-on pants type. 
  
I find that these patterns always run too long in the front crotch, so I fold out 2” off the top of the center front, and then blend that to 1” at the sides, and then  to zero at the center back.  I also added a couple of inches to the length.  I still had lots of fabric left over, so I made a little headband out of the remnants using a 10” piece of fold over elastic and a shaped double layer of fabric.  



This will be a great set for traveling, because it is so lightweight.  And if anyone sees me getting the newspaper in the morning in my pj's, I won't be quite as embarrassed as if I was just wearing my typical raggedy t-shirt and shorts.  

How about you?  Have you ever made your own pajamas? 


Happy Sewing! 

Ann

Comments

  1. Oh looks lovely! I have made my own PJs but not the robe.

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  2. I love pajamas and the pattern I've been using for several years is McCall's 8530 released in 1996. I have just finished three summer pj's in colorful cotton prints, long legs (can't stand for my legs to get cold--two bouts of rheumatic fever as a youngster accounts for that I guess), short sleeved, and I already had two pair of summer weight and fabric for more. For winter I make long sleeved pajamas, which I love, out of equally colorful prints and currently have four pair and fabric for more. That is nine pair right now. In the early 90's I made a Bog Coat robe with front zipper following Shirley Adams instructions in her book about bog coats. Yup, I've made pj's.

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    Replies
    1. Wow- that is wonderful! I just googled that pattern, and it looks great! Much easier than this one.

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  3. These are beautiful pyjamas. I love how the fabrics coordinate so well.

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  4. What beautiful sleepwear! I'm with you, spend a lot of time in my p.j.'s - I just call them lounge wear so I feel dressed. What a cute pattern you found. Love the details. Like you, I think Kwik Sew is worth the extra couple dollars.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Coco. Loungewear- yes that is what I need to refer to this as from now on!

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  5. Saw your jammies featured by Fabric Mart. I was so impressed I had to come and visit! Wow! Great Job!

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  6. Wow Ann, these are too cute! I actually think your top is one that could be worn out of the house! I've sewn pj's before, but it's been a long time! I even made a satin pair for my father-in-law with a matching terry cloth robe with a satin neckline. Probably a little too fancy, but he was a good sport and wore them!

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  7. Love your fabric choices. Everything looks great!

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  8. This is better than most of the clothes that I see people in when they are out shopping. I would live in these too. Absolutely beautiful.

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  9. Nice pieces and fabric combination. I also use Kwik Sew 3644 to make a colorblock robe and I love it! I skipped the piping but it really looks good in your version.

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  10. Thanks for your inspirational pj's! I've had this pattern for years and just now pulled it out to make using a piece from my stash. Yours was the only review I found on PR and after looking over the directions I was a little hesitant about all the details....time consuming! Your blog convinced me to do it as I too, spend many hours in my pj's! A few years ago I made a similar Butterick pair of pj's..still wearing them and still loving them. Your set is gorgeous by the way!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Buttonfaith! I am wearing these pajamas today- 3 years and still going! I hope that you enjoy yours as much as I have mine.

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