… for 2014!
The other week I showed you my housecoat, which I did up, mostly, without a pattern. This week I’ve got the PJ’s done. I’m using an EASY pattern, McCall’s M7060. I could have probably used the same bodice sloper I used for my housecoat, as there isn’t much to the PJ top, but hey! sometimes it is nice to just follow the directions given you.
I found my fabrics in the 100% knit/sleepwear SALE bin at my fabric store. One of the fabrics had a label “unknown fibres”. Hmmm. They were all slightly stretchy, but the solid blue seemed like it was lighter than the two prints. The two prints I chose for the PJ tops had more body to them. But the prices were right so I gave it a shot. Of course, Simon decided to come lend a paw with the cutting out.
I decided to play around with some of the stitches available on my sewing machine. Amazing how they are there, at least 60 stitch options (not an outrageous number), and yet in my three years of sewing with this Janome machine I have yet to say that I have tried them all. I did try this knit stitch. It worked very well on both top fabrics, although they are not really stretchy this stitch did make a pretty hem.
There was also this stretch stitch which was recommended for knit fabrics and bias seams to avoid seam puckering. I didn’t really need it here on my hem but I thought I would try it out. Man, it was slow, pretty much one forward and one back all the way around – yawn!
My next hem I just zig zagged, I wanted something fast and quick!
Facings done and topstitched with my 1/4″ foot.
All done! I told you it was easy!
Dolly’s got some new PJ’s now! I wrestled with Dolly trying to put on her PJ bottoms as she only has one leg with four feet at the bottom sticking out in all directions. I almost dissembled her in the process. Then I realized that her feet could all point straight down. So I lay her down and easily slipped one pant leg on and pullled her PJ bottoms up to her waist. Hard to believe something so simple could stump me! 🙂
I do like how the PJ tops drape and they will be warm and cozy for the winter, but the PJ bottoms are too light and tend to bunch up here and there, even on one-legged Dolly. I would like to say stay away from that fabric in the future, but I think it was the “unknown fibres” one, so all I can say is next time I’ll make sure I have a comfortable drape on all my fabrics. The PJ bottoms will be a re-do with another blue lightweight knit that I have in my stash. This pattern is so easy to do that I should have the new bottoms ready soon.
Seeing as this is my Last Post for 2014, I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! I plan on enjoying my time off from work with my family and friends, lounging in my new housecoat and PJ’s in front of the fire with a hot chocolate and Christmas cookies and watching movies and reading blogs (yes, if you keep creating and blogging I will keep reading and commenting).
Back to my Christmas cookie baking now!
Happy Sewing!
See you all next year!
Dolly looks warm and comfy. A Happy holiday to you, Dolly and Simon. All of you have done a wonderful job on all your creations.
Thank you! And Happy Holiday to you too!
Linda, the PJs look very nice, but I have a question. Why does Dolly have one leg and four feet? Very strange.
Dolly doesn’t like to discuss the challenges she faces every day, but rest assured, only having “a leg to stand on” is easier when it is attached to four feet!
Oh my!
Very nice PJs. I particulalry like the first top, a shame bottoms don’t work as well as you’d hoped. That simon’s good the way he lends a paw. Happy baking and happy new year.
Oh well, it happens to us all! Happy New Year to you too!
Merry Christmas Linda…. Great job….you did well..
Thank you for your kind words over the past months since I started my blog….really helped me with my blog. Looking forward to 2015. Wishing you and your family a merry merry Christmas and a happy new year. 🙂
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family too! Thank you for your kind words too!
I like the first top too! Your sewing is so neat on knits, quite inspirational. Merry Christmas 🙂
Thank you! Merry Christmas to you and your family too!
Happy Christmas! 🎄
Happy Christmas to you and your family too!
Simon is looking for the rest of the cats on the fabric like on your housecoat. Stay cozy and enjoy the holidays in your new PJ’s!!!
Happy Holidays to you too!
Great job on the pjs I like the different stitches 🙂 Happy Holidays to you and your family Linda see you next year!
Thank you! Happy Holidays to you and your family too!
Perfect timing for some family down time. Enjoy! 🙂
Thank you! Happy Holidays to you and your family too!
Interesting stitches and so many. Merry Christmas to you and a Happy New Year. Simon is a model. He has the 3/4 profile and the one paw forward. Very chic kitty. 😊
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your Family Too! Haha, funny comments about Simon, I won’t tell him though, we wouldn’t want him to get “stuck up” about his looks!