Ezrom has been asking me for some traditonal-style pajamas for Christmas, so this gift is straight from his wish list.
Supplies:
Flannel
Pellon Iron-on interfacing
4 Buttons
Elastic
Thread
Pattern (I used Butterick B5586)
Tools:
Sewing machine
Iron
Sewing pins
Scissors
Time:
It took me 6 hours to make a pair of pajamas, including cutting them out. I think it should be less, but I had a lot of interruptions, which meant this gift took me a week to complete! If you’ve got 4-6 hours of interrrupted time, you can make these in a day. I sewed all of the seams with French seams, which also lengthens the time.
Cost:
$1.50 for this pair.
I was given some flannel that I used for this pair. I bought the elastic in bulk from Wawak. The buttons were from my button jar (cut from old worn clothing).
I bought the pajama pattern a couple of years ago online (I tried for several years to buy this pattern when the patterns go on sale, but the store was always out, so I bought it from Butterick’s website). I’ll use it for several pairs of pajamas, so I would put the cost for the pattern at $1.25 for this pair–though it could be less, depending on how many pairs I eventually make with the pattern.
If you would like to make some pajamas, flannel will be on sale at Joann’s starting Wednesday.November 26th, at 6 a.m. It will be 75% off. This is a once a year price, and the lines will be long. I recommend getting there early, and if there is already a line at the cutting counter, getting a ticket right away so that you don’t spend 3 hours in line at the cutting counter. Solid flannel will be $1.49 a yard, and prints will be $1.79 a yard.
Pellon interfacing will also be on sale. It will be $2.99 for the bolt (regular $7.99). From past experience, I can tell you that you might have to be there before 6:20 a.m. to get any, as they never have enough of these. I bought 3 bolts 3 years ago on sale like this, and I used some of that to make this pair.
All buttons will be buy one-get one free.
Fabric.com will also have Black Friday sales, but I haven’t yet heard what those will be.
Wawak, where I buy elastic in a big roll, also will have Black Friday sales. Again, I don’t know what these will be, but it could also cut down your cost on elastic, as well as buttons (their buttons are less expensive than those at Joann’s).
Did you make any gifts today? What did you make?
I’m making pajamas for my grand kids this year. I must have the worst pattern ever made! I’ve muddled through and now have three of the five complete (except for buttonholes).
My sister picked me up almost 2 yards of heavy fleece material to make pajamas as well. It was $7.00 for the fabric and .25 for a large roll of elastic at the Senior Center thrift store. We have looked at the stores for pajamas and they are so thin that both girls asked me to make them some. I’ll give it my best shot. How much fabric is needed for the pants alone that you made?
That is so cute with the bear:) You amaze me all the time. Thank you:)
This is my first time to comment here. You are such an inspiration and I’ve incorporated many of your ideas such as buying in bulk, baking all our bread and other baked goods, and I’ve bought four turkeys this month at $.50 a pound for the freezer. I’m also making many gifts this year for the holidays. So far, I’ve knitted 4 pair of boot cuffs and 8 dishcloths. I also plan to use a canvas drop cloth I have on hand to make throw pilows with stenciled sayings on them. Thank you for all the inspiration!
From what I can see in the picture, your workmanship is excellent. Those are some handsome pajamas! Thanks for the heads-up on the sales. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving day.
Those are very nice pajamas. I am sure he will enjoy them very much. Thank you for giving me the ‘head’s up’ about the Black Friday sale at Joann’s. That is one place I never think to shop on Black Friday. You can not beat that price for flannel. I have used flannel before to quilt. It makes a cozy blanket. We do not have much cold weather here in TX, but when it is cold a nice pair of flannel pajamas feels real good.:)
I made size 10. The pattern just says 3 1/2 yards total for top and bottom. I think it will depend on the length of the child’s legs. For pants alone you can use a pair of the child’s pants as a pattern. If the child is shorter (or younger) you might be able to use your fleece for that to make a pair for one child. I think it took two yards for pants.
That’s wonderful!
Great job Brandy! Stripes are cute in p.j.’s. and I never would have thought to coordinate a furry friend. If you don’t want to do buttons and collar, make McCalls 6227. The v-neck top is quicker than a traditional shirt, and once you have made one they go much faster. This is great when you need to make several pairs (I have three boys) and is unisex. I have found it runs a little big. Comfy pants are so quick to sew and a super money saver. I only did French seams when I made them out of lawn for summer though, so I am impressed. If you use lawn, be sure to starch hems well, and them use your hemmed foot, way easier.
I really enjoy your sewing posts, and its neat to see what you put together. Have a great Thanksgiving.
Brandy, you did a wonderful job on these! They look professionally made!
The teddy bear is just for looks (it belongs to Liberty), but yes, a coordinating one would be a fun gift!
I don’t know what the price comparision would be, but when I get low on elastic, I wait for a 50% off coupon from JoAnn’s and then buy the entire box of elastic that would normally be cut by the yard. The workers gladly go into the back room and get me a fresh box, and it is considered “one cut” of product and is 1/2 price. The 3/4″ and the 1/4″ are the two sizes that I use enough of to make it worth having an entire box. It lasts me a long time that way. The larger size I use for waistbands (skirts, pants, shorts, pj’s), and the smaller size for peasant top necks, arm/wrist elastic, doll clothes, etc.
I SO wanted to go buy more flannel this morning, but counted my pieces from various sources and…..stayed home. I have a lot left. It has just become a fun tradition for me. Guess I need to get to sewing if I want to continue that tradition! I will go over what I have in the cotton stash and fleece stash before Saturday.
Very nice pj’s. It’s too late for this Christmas; but I’ve made a book which will be a gift for many on my list for next Christmas. I’m waiting for the ‘proof’ (my copy) to arrive at the moment.
Love the picture of the pj’s-they look very nicely constructed. I am making an eternity knit scarf for my daughter, it is so relaxing to stitch a few rows during my day. Also, using material recyled from some clothes that aren’t being worn anymore and making fabric boxes, add recycled buttons as an accent.
Good for you!
I was hoping I would have enough flannel, but then I looked at how much each set of pajamas takes, and I knew I wasn’t even close! I mostly have solid white flannel. I went this morning and found some prints, which is not something I usually do, but that I think the children will enjoy. I got a bird print for Wren, a snowman print for Ivory, a snowflake print for Winter, and a cardinal print for Liberty, plus some plaid for Cyrus (I used a coupon; plaid shirtings weren’t part of the sale). Now I just have to figure out how to get them all done!
I am sure I have that same pattern from about 20 years ago. I’ve finished the flannel pajama bottoms for the girls and bought 4 long sleeve thermal tops at the farm store. They were on sale for 5.99, I bought them all a size larger so they would be roomy. They only had red and grey so I bought two of each. I took your headband idea and left over flannel scraps and made
4 headbands using hair elastics from a pack we already had. Done and I have a box for each.
Your hand-made Christmas gifts have inspired my to get working on some Christmas gifts as well. I only had enough fabric in my stash to sew 3 infinity scarves, so I dug through the clothing that no longer fits me (too big), and cut some up to make two more scarves. They all turned out beautifully. I plan to pair the scarves with jars of home-made jam as Christmas gifts for various family members. I also kept one for myself. I wasn’t planning to make one for my daughter, but she saw what I was making and asked if one was for her. I might have to go shopping for some more fabric now!
I had never hear of a french seam before, so I googled a tutorial. I’m definitely going to have to try it…thanks for the idea!
Its basically sewing the seams wrong side to wrong side with a narrow seam (1/4″) and then trimming it down to 1/8″. The you flip it over, iron it, and sew it again (right side to right side) with a 1/4″ seam. All of the raw edges are encased. I like it so much more than serged or zig-zagged seams. Nothing is scratchy inside that way.
Yeah for you! You did a great job. I’m sewing nightgowns for 4 of my daughters per request. A quick pattern I use is the peasant-top look (elastic at the neck and wrists). There is only four pattern pieces, 2 seams for sleeves and the 2 side seams. I like to add a bow to the front neckline for looks and so they know front from back.
Happy sewing!
Happy Thanksgiving!
I have to BLAME you, I just got back from Joann’s and doing my Black Friday shopping. I spent $108.00…..but I got enough fabric to keep me working till well past next Christmas. I got a 10 yard bolt of linen. I am making some beautiful ‘Pinterest’ inspired pillowcases for our prayer group. I have been making hexagon flowers to go on the hems of the pillowcases to make them special. It uses my scraps of fabric and I can do that hand sewing in the evening while I keep my husband company in the den. (He told me I spent too much time in the sewing room and he was lonely in the evenings) So thanks again for letting me know about the big sale at Joann’s. I went late in the evening (5:00pm) and the wait time at the cutting table was not bad. I also got lots of choice in the flannel fabric I got. I am so happy with my buys. Thanks again Brandy.
I have made many, many of those kind of nightgowns over the years. I put a bow on the front as well! I love that style.
I also make a small “tag” of bias tape (folded so the raw edges are encased) tucked in under the folded-over casing at the center back seam of pajama pants. The amount that shows is about 1/4-1/2 inch, but it lets them know which is the back.