Sunday, September 19, 2010

I Made Some PJ's - Simplicity 4388

In June we were having a PJ crises - the pattern I have used for my son since he was 2 years old (Simplicity 8493) only goes up to size 6.  Well, I found a new pattern - very similar.  It is Simplicity 4388.  I have to say though - I wasn't impressed that they tell you to use bias tape instead of cutting yokes.  My son doesn't like any "itchy" fabric, which is why I usually make his clothes.  Not sure that bias tape would pass his itch test.  Really - once I bought him a t-shirt and the neck band was sewn on with that plastic thread that looks like fishing line.  Well, he broke out in an awful rash that looked like a rope burn right around his neck.  That went over really well at school until I pin-pointed that the rash was from his shirt!  Anyway - the yoke issue was easy enough to fix - I drafted my own yoke by retracing the main pattern pieces in the shape of the yoke I was after... see...
And this is what it looks like all sewn in and finished.  I edge finish the rough edge with my serger and then stitch it all down so it still lays nice and flat after many, many washes.
My son isn't allowed to wear camouflaged fabrics as a rule.  You have to understand - we live part of the year where people hunt alot and he is inside/outside like a yo yo.  Bright colors are much safer.  But, for PJ's - I don't mind.  He picked this nice soft flannel and then added the bright buttons.  I had to smile.
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Not sure when I found the time to make these, but one day I didn't have any lunch reservations and took over the kitchen counter to trace the pattern and cut them out.  That is one way to get things done - do under a time crunch - because I did have dinner reservations!  For me, I find that once I get something cut out it is easy enough to work on it a few minutes here and there at my machine.


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We are apart right now and I miss him an awful lot - he left 4 weeks ago.  But School Boy's have to go to school and I am still working... in a different country.  Other than the 5 nights he went to camp this summer, we have never been apart.  DH went back with him - he is an excellent father and is taking good care of him.  Besides, DH needed a rest and has to go through a series of DRs appointments to make sure his cancer is still gone.  So the decision was made.  It makes it easier for me that he is happy and that he can breathe where he is now -allergies are hard on him in North America.  He was ready to leave when he did and didn't even fuss about leaving me behind; he is only 7 but would rather breathe than be with Momma!  Sometimes we take very simple things for granted (like breathing) unless it is a simple thing that we can't do.  We talk all the time for free on Skype - and the day after he arrived he was most excited about his ease of breathing.  He is happy to be back with his friends and has even learned how to ride a bike!  Thank goodness I wasn't there to see that - Nervous Nellie that I am, just as well he learned while I wasn't there to make him nervous - one nervous person in the family is enough.  Anyway - this pair of PJ's will be off in the post for him tomorrow.  
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Thank you for all your comments and private e-mails about my Spam issues.  Seems like it is a common problem in Blogland and I have taken your suggestions and reset some of my settings and have not received any more Spam, so maybe it is working?  One can hope.  Because I really do enjoy Blogging.  As a matter of fact, this is my 501st post!

If you buy anything on Amazon, I would really appreciate it if you used my links. Thank you!


3 comments:

Paula, the quilter said...

Several years ago I purchased a blue flannel backed satin to make a photographer's drape (you know the cloth that drapes over the guy's head when he is looking through the viewfinder). Anyway, the guy did not like the fabric and we ended up using velvet. Not as firm a weave, but it is what the customer wanted. I decided that the satin would make wonderful pj's but there wasn't enough. I recently found some cream colored flannel back satin and bought enough to make the bottoms and use some of it for piping on the blue top. Yipee! Now all I need to do is make them.

Tamera said...

I'm so happy to hear that you're not receiving the spam anymore. Does that mean that we can look forward to hearing more from you?

How difficult it must be to be away from your son and husband! I cannot think what it would be like.

I hope everything is good with your husband when his tests are finished.

Katie Z. said...

I can;'t imagine being without my family - it must be very hard for you, and you must be very strong! Good luck and let us know how it goes!