For the tenth day of A Gift a Day, I made pajamas for Ivory.
The pattern goes from sizes 2-6. I made some adjustments to make these smaller for Ivory, who is 1 1/2.
I’d like to make some more like these for Wren and Elsa, and I hope to make some for Cyrus and Ezrom as well.
I’ve had this pattern for several years and I’ve used it many times. I traced under the pattern so that I could use it for several sizes.
I went ahead and gave the blue floral pair to Ivory today, since she needs pajamas now. She loved them! I will keep the toile ones for Christmas.
Flannel Pajamas
Supplies:
cotton flannel
thread
pattern (I used Butterick B5586, which comes in sizes 2-6 and 7-10. For a larger size, you can use B6837, which comes in adult sizes XS-M and L-XL)
elastic for waistband
interfacing
buttons
Tools:
scissors
sewing machine
Time:
The total time for one pair of pajamas was about 4 hours.
Cost:
$.40 for the blue ones and $3.40 for the toile ones.
The blue floral flannel was given to me from someone who was thinning down her fabric stash.
I purchased a large reel of elastic for $2 at a garage sale a few years ago; I am still using it. You can buy elastic like that from Wawak, as well as buttons and thread in bulk.
The brown children’s toile came from Joann’s fabrics last year. I bought it for 50% off.
I purchased the bolt of interfacing on sale several years ago on Black Friday at Joann’s (50% off sale plus another 10% off the total order coupon including sales).
The buttons for both pairs of pajamas came from my button jars (they were from other outfits at one point).
I’ve had the pattern for several years. I bought it on sale for $1. Butterick Patterns will be $1 again for one day only at Joann’s on Saturday, November 23rd. I am hoping to pick up the two larger sizes then to have one for the boys and one to make my own pajamas.
What a great idea for my 7 year old son!
These are so pretty… you have inspired me to look for some toile to make myself some pjs. I have some wonderful flannel ones that I just cannot seem to give up because I like the fabric so much (flannel with sewing things on it). But they need to be retired!! Your work is so beautiful.
Cut the buttons off your existing pair to use on your new pair!
The pajamas are so beautiful! The richness of your talents and creativity really comes through your projects. Also, I think you have inspired me to go and purchase an embroidery hoop and use my machine’s fancy stitches more frequently. I love the touches they add!I have been feeling frustrated with the lack of books there are for beginner readers to truly read for themselves, so I wrote and illustrated a little book for my daughter yesterday! I’ll probably give this to her early, but I’ll probably write another one using the same character and put it under the Christmas tree.I also found that I learned so much more about the computer and the simple program “Paint”. That program is actually pretty amazing! I used to just use it for doodling when I was a teenager. Ha!
I didn’t have to use an embroidery hoop with my machine for those stitches. You just sew them like you would a regular seam.I know what you mean about beginning readers. I have a list on my kindergarten page. They do NOT have a bunch of sight words. They have books that are just short a sounds, then short e, then I, etc. Then later there is a series of ones with silent e, etc. They are the only ones I’ve found like that. I really found them helpful. Each book is 8 pages long with a couple of sentences per page. My children found them very helpful.Here is my kindergarten page: http://theprudenthomemaker.com/index.php/homeschool/kindergarten
Goodness those are the cutest pjs I have ever seen….I want a pair;-) Love that toile print, just darling.Thank you so much for sharing your gifts. I have been reading these posts, and am amazed at what all you make for so little.blessings, jill
Could you re-use the flannel for some other smaller items, like a sleep mask, wheatberry or rice heating pad(s), etc? I have some t-shirts I refuse to give up because I love the fabric so much – sooo soft for sleeping in – but they are really beyond what I should still be using. You could still keep your beloved flannel in other forms?
Growing up we girls always received a new flannel nightgown for Christmas and the boys new flannel pajamas, all made by my mother. The boys got new slippers and we got those knitted slipper footie things. We didn’t get a new robe every year, those were handed down. We used to do hand me downs with cousins a lot also. I used to do that for mine when they were younger but as they got older they all gravitated to oversize tshirts and shorts or pajama pants, even the girls. Though I never let them wear the pajama pants out in public as seems so common now.
Your stitch work is beautiful!
These are absolutely precious. I sometimes wish I could sew, but it never was a strength–I’m a decent handwork sewer in any case. This series has been very inspiring for me. I can make bracelets and have a fairly good supply of beading materials, so I think I’ll try to put some to use. I also have some bound Shrinkydink pages that were given to my children when they were younger. I found a library book that has projects, including a neat bird necklace and earring set. My daughter loves birds, so I’m going to try to make them. I don’t really have ideas for my son, although a “guy’s” apron would be neat. I’ll have to find one, though. I love the one you made for your son.
BJU Press has a series of 10 books called UP THE LADDER. Each has 2 short stories and a word list for use with beginning readers. We have them in our library and the Kdg. classroom at our school. You can get them through BJU Press, possibly CBD. They are older, from 1997, but still very worthwhile. They are rated for 6-7yr but we use them in the Kdg for 5-6 yr. Katie, nice use of your imagination and talent to make your own books.
These are just beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing all that you do! I appreciate you and the wisdom you share.
I love the bird jewelry!The apron was really, REALLY easy. It’s a beginner project. You can do it!I have really improved in my gardening, sewing, and cooking skills since becoming married. I’m still learning. The only way to learn is to do it!
These are the prettiest little pajamas I have ever seen. I was suddenly reminded of a nightgown my aunt made me from a pretty rose print sheet when I was 7. This inspires me to bring out my sewing machine and try to make some pajamas for my girls. Thank you for a lovely series!
Thank you so much for the recommendations, Brandy and Athanasia, and thank you for the compliment. I had looked at your list at one point, but I somehow missed the readers! I have been using Bob books, and they’re pretty good, but I want her to have a LOT of books that she can read by herself. It seems like the Bob books advance pretty quickly, and I feel that having some different readers would be helpful.Also, I think I need a hoop for hand embroidery. I was thinking of your nesting dolls that turned out so beautifully. Though now that I think about it, maybe you didn’t use a hoop for the dolls? How often do you use a hoop? Is it a worthy investment for hand embroidery?I hadn’t ever considered needing one for my machine, so thank you for pointing that out!
You don’t need a hoop for a regular sewing machine and its fancy stitches, but embroidery machine use a hoop.A regular hoop is really helpful to keep the fabric taut. I used one for Elsa’s pillow, but not for the felt dolls. You really just need one, and they’re not real expensive. However, the regular wood hoops are not my favorite; I prefer a vintage metal one that has a spring instead of a screw. They don’t make those anymore, though. If I were just going to buy a hoop (just starting out like you are) I would buy a good one, because you will use it a lot, and spend a bit more to have one that doesn’t frustrate you. I am sure there are a few places to get a nice one, but the only one I know of is here: http://www.aliciapaulson.com/collections/embroidery-suppliesIt's a much more heavy duty hoop, and at $6.50 for a quality one, I think it would be worth it :)I use a hoop almost all the time; the dolls were an exception because of their shape, but otherwise I am using one for everything.I am probably in the minority about the reading books, but I don’t like the Bob books. They are too full of sight words from the beginning. Check out the other ones that I listed; they have color pictures, they are larger than the Bob books (though not thicker), and a very beginning reader can actually read them. The ONLY words that are sight words are “the” and “are” in the first set of books. Everything else is a short vowel-sound word, such as “Sam, is, pal, Pam, Pat, rat, cat, sat, mat, can, ham, his, wet”. etc. Then the next level progresses up from there.
Investing in good equipment is essential though, I was so frustrated with sewing because my machine wasn’t built well and may have been pumped out of wack or just used more than intended. I got a new machine this year and wow, I am in love with sewing again, and teaching my oldest. PJ’s are usually on my list as well, those are so cute!
They’re so pretty! I love your taste. I just finished a pair of pajamas for my son – I added 4″ to the arms, legs, and length of shirt to hopefully have them fit for several years.
Thanks for the link! I believe the 4″ hoop is the one that is $6.50, and you think that’s a good size for a beginner? I used to have a large one when I tried things when I was a kid. Probably 10″, but it always seemed large and awkward. That’s the problem we’re having with the Bob books. Too many sight words. I found the books you suggested and will probably purchase them. We have some money left in our home school budget.Thank you for your help, Brandy!
The 4″ hoop is a WONDERFUL size. I really like a small hoop; it is easier to hold. I have some 6″ hoops but I find that I really prefer my smaller ones, so I reach for those. The 10″ hoop would be VERY difficult to use.
Boys are definitely harder to make toys for! I also have a tom boy who is a challenge ever year because she doesn’t want “girl” stuff. My tomboy loves games so last year I made a crochet/sewn checkerboard game. I might just have to make another game this year! Here’s a video tutorial on the checkers if you’re interested, obviously you wouldn’t want to make it in pink! http://youtu.be/1xbsdu2_fE4
I love the flower buttons on the blue set. Was the pocket and sleeve stitches done by hand or the sewing machin? It adds a nice touch.
It’s a stitch on the sewing machine. Much, much faster than doing a stitch by hand.You can’t really see it in the photos, but I did the bottom hems on the pants with the same stitch as well.
Wonderful, thank you so much for all of the information! And I definitely don’t mind spending a bit more for something that will last longer and serve its purpose better.
My maternal grandma used to make throws from recycled squares of flannel, wool and corduroy. In fact it was one of those that was my first patchwork project, done with her sewing machine. They were always squares , totally random arrangement of colors , 3″ or 4 ” size squares. Then tied together with yarn. They were everywhere, on the sofa, the car seat, used them out in the yard to sit on grass …you could save the good bits in your fabric nice til you get enough saved up for a project.