Happy new year & welcome to 2018! If you read my roundup post in 2017 you’ll know that I scored a whole pile of patterns from the Simplicity website for winning the menswear category of the Simplicity Sewing Challenge. Cool huh?
My plan is to use all the patterns in a year. Twelve patterns, twelve months… I can’t promise I’ll get round to them all and I don’t know that it’ll be monthly, but we’ll see.
I thought I’d start off with one of the less challenging makes, jersey pyjamas.
I chose this pattern not just for myself, but also to have another option of boys wear for my nephews… although I made them for myself first! (… I’m sure Freddie the dog will get one of those sweaters too…!)
The men’s pattern is a loose fit, sweater with a kangaroo pocket, contrast shoulder/ sleeve pieces and elasticated waist trousers with patch pockets and no fly.
Against the pattern measurements I’m on the smaller side of medium. After looking at the finished measurements I decided to make the small. There’s quite a bit of built in ease and the fabric I chose is really droopy. It’s a cheap stretch towelling that I ended up buying loads of online, thinking it was something else! I can’t remember how many metres I got, but it’s enough to fill a cabin sized luggage bag.
I also switched the pockets to one-piece side pockets. Here’s how I did it…
- I traced the front leg piece, drew on a pocket shape.
- Traced the pocket shape to a new sheet & cut out 2.
- On the trouser piece I marked the pocket opening and used fraycheck to strengthen a snip into the seam allowance.
- I used iron on hem tape to hold down the fold for the pocket opening, then zigzagged it in place.
- Position the pocket piece behind the front trouser piece. Pin in place.
- Stitch around the pocket through the front trouser piece.
- Make sure the pockets are still open once you’ve sewn the side seams!
I used the walking foot and mostly zigzag stitch (1.5mm width, 2mm length) finishing the edges off with my overlocker.
The top didn’t take too long either. I used some scrap jersey on the shoulders to jazz it up a bit. The pocket took up most of my time. The fabric is so droopy that hemming was a bit of a chore, it stretched out really easily so the iron on hem tape was brilliant for holding everything down. Probably adds a bit of stability too…? I’ve not used it before, but I’m adding it to my sewing arsenal from now on.
It looks like a romper suit for grown ups! You could say it’s possibly the ugliest outfit I’ve ever made, but it’s also fantastically comfy!
(I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing them in the street, so I’m sure as heck not wearing them on my blog, so you can forget that right away!)
Size wise, they’re massive, I think the pattern is pretty roomy anyway, even going down a size. …But did I mention how droopy the fabric is?! – hardly able to carry its own weight! It all adds to the comfort factor though and a good wash and tumble should bring it all back together again.
Now I’ll come clean and admit that I actually made these at the end of 2017. And believe it or not, this was my New Year’s Eve outfit… seriously!
MrA & I went for a grown-ups-sleepover at our cousins for new year. They don’t live far from us but they’re in the controlled area for the new year fireworks, and they have a fantastic view of the London Eye, where the fireworks are set off.
So there I was, hot chocolate in hand, sloppy pj’s on, eyes up at the fireworks, seeing the new year in with three of my favourite people in the whole world. Perfect! (Well, almost perfect, as CousinM and MrA both have pyjamas made by me too, but CousinA is still waiting! – I’ll rectify that by next New Years!)
Have a great 2018 and happy Sewing.
Notes to self:
- Check the measurements closely on more fitted patterns.
- Make CousinA some pyjamas.
- Buy more iron on hem tape.
I’ll confess, I want to see you wearing them. I fully understand why you won’t.
Your sewing has been inspiring me to get my sew-jo back. Thank you.
Haha… I’m wearing them now!!
I’m glad your sew-jo is on the return 👍👏🙏
I enjoyed your comment “romper for adults” “the ugliest outfit” made me laugh. I have made fabric miss purchases in the past, typically happens when I go fabric shopping after having a few glasses of wine.
It is always a challenge for me to figure out to do with a fabric blooper. I always sit down and think how I could use the mistake. Lately, i had 15 meters of a fabric i thought i could use for clothing, however, the polyester content was hideous to wear, equivalent to wearing a plastic green garbage bag. What I ended up doing with all the material (light cream color) was making 2 table clothes, table runners with jewels, curtains for the family room, matching pillow slips for the sofa. And here i was just going to send it off to “the salvation army”
This post reminds that I need to plan this coming weekend to get my white polar fleece robe done, and a nice pair of cotton/lycra pjs. So I can sit with my white westie, having coffee with the snow falling outside.
It’s nice to hear it’s not just me! I should have at least 2-options-&-a-robe out of this towelling! 🤣
It’s so good to see someone make a style their own with pattern changes! Since you won can you suggest that they do more for men’s fashion this year!! LOL! Lord knows we need it!
Thank you! I’m not sure I’ve got the reins though! 👍🙏
Your writing always make me smile x
Thank you! … that makes me smile! Glad you like it ☺️👍😘
What a fantastic photo! Comfy clothing is the best really, for many casual occasions.
The pattern photo of the dog arm length did make me suspect the whole pattern would have excesses in it, and that seems confirmed. Thanks for the pocket tutorial–