Well, I did warn you it would be back to basics for a while… And I wasn’t kidding! I bought this fabric with this project in mind on the last Dewsbury trip (some time ago…). I think I’d had a clear out of my PJ drawer and I needed some replacements. Although I wasn’t totally sold on the waist finish on the Margots: the drawstring waist could get ‘messy’ easily and I wasn’t convinced that the cord / ribbon wouldn’t get lost every time it went through the wash… (still not convinced to be honest…). It’s also not especially flattering! But I already had Tilly’s book, I couldn’t find any better alternatives (without splashing out on a new pattern) and I also hadn’t completed that many of the projects in said book and do like to get my money’s worth out of a pattern book, so Margot bottoms it was 🙂
On a more positive note, I really enjoyed reading Tilly’s guidance on some of the more basic sewing skills involved in this project. It felt kind of like a hand-holding refresher course, which is probably exactly what I needed given my long absence from my machine. She’s a great teacher, and the clearness of her instructions is perfect for both beginners and rusty absentee-rs like me.
Although billed as a ‘starter’ project, I’d totally forgotten the implications of choosing a check fabric and consequently quickly abandoned any desire to attempt any even basic level of pattern matching (I’m also letting myself off as I didn’t have too much fabric to play with either: even with my short legs, (shown in all their glory above, ha!), need a certain amount more fabric than the average skirt or top). I’d also forgotten the somewhat mind-boggling construction of trousers generally. Something, despite a couple of prior attempts when I was more in my sewing-zone, I still hadn’t quite got my head around fully.
I forced myself to slow down totally with this project. And I found myself enjoying the process more because of it 🙂 The first pair (pink cotton) took a ridiculous amount of time. The second (purple, brushed cotton) I whizzed through. I suspect it’s pretty easy to substitute the drawstring waist with elastic, but for my first project back at machine I just went along with it. I also managed to find some coordinating ribbon in my stash, so avoided any additional outlay whatsoever on this project.
But how on earth to photograph? Ha! Glamorous these shots are not! I seem to remember all sorts of artful bedroom shots of bloggers showing off their new Fifi sets when that pattern first came out. But my photographer (aka my now 11 year old son) was also feeling pretty rusty, so we opted for the usual garden shots which you’ll no doubt recognise if you’ve been visiting here for a while. But I do live ‘up North’ and it was flipping freezing so there was no way I was going to waft around in wispy camisole tops and fluffy, high heeled slippers (oh and I don’t actually own any of the latter). The only vaguely suitable accessories I could come up with were my trainers and a sweatshirt 😉 Mmmm… well, it could have been worse: they were cosy and comfortable at least…
So, maybe I’ll leave the glamour for next time…
All in all a really pleasing return to my machine. And I’ve also no idea why I hadn’t made any pyjama bottoms before to be honest. It seems the perfect starting pattern, which if you do make some daft mistakes on, hardly anyone is going to notice. And if the proof’s in the wearing, then both of these have hardly been off since I made them which has to be a success 🙂 And yes, I may spend a lot of time in my pyjamas of an evening…
Could anyone recommend a good ‘wardrobe builder’ type pattern for slightly more advanced pyjamas with matching tops? I found a few free ones in my magazines, but mostly too ‘trendy’ with cuffed bottoms, which just isn’t going to work on legs that are pretty short to start with… A good, family one would be really useful to find 🙂
Pattern: Tilly and the Buttons Margot Bottoms
Time: Probably too long, but I enjoyed slowing down and it had been a while
Fabric: I think it came from ‘Lucky’s Fabrics’ in Dewsbury and was v v reasonable in price
Soundtrack: The Archers, Radio 4
navybluethreads 
PJ’s might not be the sexiest attire, but you’ve got to love them and a great project for getting back into the swing of things. Yours look lovely. That right hand photo where you’re wearing the blue ones is fab and looks a bit like you’re doing that walk Madness do as a group in the One Step Beyond 🙂 Great to see your lovely smile again.
Ha! I like the idea of a Madness walk for my photos 🙂 I know exactly what you mean! Yes, it was a good project for getting back into it and good for confidence building. Thank you!
Oh yes, let’s have compulsory Madness shots on all our future photos 😉
I’m not sure I’d even have to try to hard some days… 😉
🙂
Glad to see you’re back at your sewing machine – and that you listen to The Archers! I have short legs too which is one of the reasons I like to sew my own clothes because I can never find anything the right length!
Thank you! Yes, all very well with heels but struggled to photograph these in any way that was glamorous! Oh, well sometimes comfort wins out 😉
And all the best people have short legs, or so my Dad tells me (and he should know…) 😉
They look very comfortable! I really recommend the Carolyn Pajamas from Closet Case Patterns, they are perhaps the most flattering looking pajamas I’ve ever come across. Though I would recommend going up one size for the bottoms – they fit excellently but if you like to sprawl in bed I think one size up would be more comfortable!
Fab! Thanks for the recommendation. I think I’ve heard of these before. Will definitely take a look. Def. need something a little more flattering next time…
Was it a bit like riding a bike? PJs are the perfect sew after a break as who’s going to see them? I made these quite recently but I substituted the draw string for elastic and I made no attempt at matching my checks either, although I must admit they didn’t even make it on to the blog. So have you been re-bitten by the bug? What are you going to make next?
Thank you! And almost, but must admit haven’t tried the bike for a few years either now 😉
How did you insert the elastic? Just a straight substitute? Or did you sew it in to avoid twisting somehow? Was debating whether to blog or not too, but why not? May have already sewn up some other stuff, with mixed results… Just need to get back into the swing of getting the photos taken again, always the worst bit…x
It was almost a straight substitute. I sewed ribbon to each end of some elastic (enough to go round my waist) and secured the elastic by stitching down the centre back seam. It seemed to work! Oh and taking photos is definitely the worst bit! I always feel really awkward!
Thanks for this, that’s really helpful 🙂
Yep, thought the photos would be easier after a break, but not so…
Both pairs look really good – in fact I feel like snuggling up on the couch just by looking at them. I think you could just stick with these bottoms and add a t-shirt type top to make infinite pairs of pajamas. That would have the added advantage of giving you a refresher roller coaster ride on your overlocker 😉
Ha! Thank you Chris. Thought I’d take it right back to basics, and they may have already become well acquainted with my couch… Have had my overlocker out again too, and with the usual love-hate relationship…It’s that dastardly ‘too open’ stitch that drives me mad but I can never remember quite which dial to tighten so end up doing all of them…
Thank you again for the lovely bag. The silver lining is just perfect 🙂
I’m so glad you like it! x
These both look great, and your dad’s right!
Hint for elastic length – I measure off enough to make a double knot about where I think I want the elastic to end, then I wear ’em for a few washings to check my estimate. When it’s right I sew the elastic ends together (overlapping a bit), trim off the extra, and stitch up the channel of fabric the elastic runs through. Just a suggestion. 😉
Grand to have you back sewing again! xx
That’s really helpful, thanks Del. And good to be back and chatting to everyone on here 🙂 X.
Maybe, I too should start with pyjamas bottoms. Maybe that would get me back on my machine. And I listen to the Archers too! Mainly the Archers Omnibus on download.
🙂 You can’t beat a bit of Radio 4 on a Sunday morning.
Can’t believe I’ve never made pyjama bottoms before, perfect ‘comfort sewing’ and wearing. Though would def. go for elasticated waist next time to make them just a tad more flattering…
Sewing and listening to the Archers, perfect!!
It’s lovely to see you back in Blogland again 🙂 Love the fabric you’ve used, they look sooooo comfy 🙂
These look super comfy – well done for braving the cold! 😃
The Margot PJs are a great way to get back into dressmaking again – I did a workshop using that pattern and the ladies still talk about it six months on! I bet they’ll be worn to bits, glam or not:)
You should work through the book start to finish 🙂
And you can easily adapt to an elastic waist, I’ve done it 🙂 try it!
These looks fab! I used this pattern to teach my friend how to sew and she loved it and bought her own machine. Welcome back Teresa 😘
So nice to see your smiling face modeling your makes again!! I’d vote for the Carolyn Pajamas, though I’ve not made them myself – pj’s are on my makenine plan and I’m thinking of going with Carolyns. And cheers to all us short leggers (thanks, Mom)!
How are you Teresa? I love the look of these comfy bottoms. I am going to attempt a swimming costume this week now the school holidays are here. Will definately not be modelling it for photos though!!