Hello Kitty Pajamas

Elena has NO summer pj's yet. I have no fabric budget (especially for jammies) right now, so this set came all from scraps. In fact, the shorts are actually pieced together at the top of one front piece. I matched it up pretty well though so it's very hard to see. There are scraps of the hello kitty cotton that came from Walmart last year and then a former volleyball camp t-shirt of Olivia's, and a bit of another t-shirt too.

I did my best to reuse parts and hems to make this as quick as possible. The applique took the most time. The shirt pattern is my TNT Get Your Crap Together Tinley Tee in it's most basic, no frill version. The applique is my first time trying this with the machine. It's rough to say the least but hey, it's pajamas and Elena isn't much of a critic yet. She is thrilled with it.

The shorts are the free Oliver & S Sunny Day Shorts. I had never used this pattern before even though I already had it printed and taped together. It worked out well and I have no complaints. I'm sure I'll use it in the future. It can be hacked in a million ways. Can you see the small triangle piece on the wearer's right at the center seam and waistband? I was so close to being able to make shorts from the scraps and I couldn't let missing that little bit stop me from making Elena so happy. The waistband is jersey knit for added comfort. I added ruffles and cut those from the bottom of the factory hemmed t-shirt. Smart huh? What time was saved in not hemming, was spent on gathering though so not much difference time-wise, but definitely added to the cute girliness.

 So cute jammies out of scraps. I'd like to make a nightgown too but can't decide what style, what fabric, etc. Waiting for the inspiration to hit and hoping it happens this week still. Any suggestions?

Tinkerbell Pajamas

Elena and I found this very soft flannel Tinkerbell fabric at the thrift store early this summer. Now that fall is approaching (though not this week - we're in the high 80's again!) I made some pajama pants with a coordinating tee.

The pants pattern is my own. It's a combination of a few PDF and commercial patterns. There is no outer seam so a super quick sew. She was out for a hike with her sister, and when she came home, the whole outfit was done.

I searched through the scrap bins and couldn't find enough of anything to make even a size 3 shirt. Then I remembered this yellow raglan tee made last spring and not worn much. I like the the gathers I added to the shoulder seams, but she never fell in love with it. Yellow isn't the fave. It is upcycled from a Target tee with the bottom hem reused. That made it easy to unpick the side seam and open it up.

I cut a pocket from some lilac Girl Charlee scraps and added a Tinkerbell piece to it. I cut some long sleeves, hemmed them, and sewed them under the short sleeve hem. One seam down the arm and side finished it up in record time.

Sewing doesn't have to be all fancy and expensive all the time - although that kind of sewing is fun too. Making something useful and that Elena absolutely loves (even without pink and only a smidgeon of purple) is some of my favorite sewing. It's my super power. 

And I just found out I made the Top 10 for August's Project Run & Play Hand-Sewing Challenge. Hop on over to vote if you want.