When I originally saw this fabric I had thought that I would make the Solina Dress from Named Clothing’s Breaking the Pattern book.
However when it arrived I was just not feeling it - I think the pattern was just a bit too busy for that dress and it would have been too much.
As the fabric arrived just before Christmas and I had begun to notice the threadbare nature of some of my PJ’s I decided that this fabric
would make a cool set of nightwear. The smooth cotton sateen with a touch of stretch is a perfect luxury fabric and feels amazing against
the skin - almost like silk! What could be better for nightwear?
I scoured my stash of Burdastyle magazines for an appropriate top and found one in the January issue from 2017.
This top required piping - I didn’t have any, and once I had time to sew it was the Christmas break and my local haberdashery
was shut for the holidays. Being the impatient sort I am - I decided to use a flat ‘piping’. In other words - self made bias tape from some
white cotton sateen in my stash, without any piping cord in it. This was a mistake as it is incredibly tricky to make sure you have an even,
but tiny amount of the trim showing. Piping would have been easier.
The pattern itself is well drafted and I know that I can cut a size 38 in Burda and it will fit. This pattern came with more detailed instructions.
I followed them and wished I hadn’t. Some of the finishing techniques left a lot to be desired and there were some clunky joins that
I’m not that happy about! But Hey, apart from the slightly uneven trim - it’s only me that will see the bits I’m not happy with!
The PJ bottoms were self drafted and I used the same pattern as the green drill cargo trousers I made in the summer,
but without the drawstring or the patch pockets. I did keep the hip pockets though. I make the elastic waist just a little looser for evening
and sleep comfort.
I think these look classy and I can feel comfortable and stylish when lounging around at home in the evenings now.
It’s just a shame I didn’t have them completed in time for the holiday period, when lounging around is the perfect thing to do!
This was my most successful PJ set made (i’ve only made one set before - for my daughter). It’s not something I think about making often,
which is why most of my PJ’s are threadbare. It certainly won’t be the last pair I make. But it was quite involved and did need a lot of
concentration and accuracy to get a good finish.
Here’s to chilling out in your PJ’s!
