Los Angeles is pretty much summer weather for 10 months of the year so when those 2 months of winter show up it’s a tough adjustment. My wardrobe has plenty of me-made nighttime garments for the summer months but it wasn’t until it got cold that I realized I only had one pair of pajama pants that wasn’t horribly frayed and worn out. So of course, I had to put pajamas on my 2017 Make Nine list. Pajama bottoms are one of those easy projects that even a beginner can make which makes them seem a little boring. But those boring things are often the most useful. So while I could have added another fun dress to my list, I love having a project for something that I actually really need and can use right away. Plus, because it's easy that means I already have one thing checked off my list.
As I mentioned, pajama pants are a pretty easy thing to make. I probably could have drafted my own pattern but I thought I’d go easy on myself and try out the Ultimate Pyjamas from Sew Over It. The pattern was released towards the end of last year and it’s super easy to sew. Just your basic, front and back pieces plus a separate waistband. There are buttonholes in the waistband to slip a ribbon though and elastic to keep it all tight.
On the Sew Over It blog, they have a downloadable pattern for pockets and instructions for how to install them. I, of course, added the pockets because I always seem to need somewhere to stash tissues. The only other change I made was I added 1.5 inch to the length because I wanted them to be a little extra long. If I make them again, I might add an inch to the rise. I made a size small which matches my waist and hip measurements (28 and 39 inches, respectively).
I think the pockets do take up a little of the ease because the flannel is a bit bulky. At first I thought it wasn't roomy enough but they are very comfortable to sleep in and don't fall off like my old, worn-out, too-big pj bottoms. I like that the pattern instructs to finish seams before sewing, which is how I usually do it. It gets it out of the way and prevents fraying during sewing. All in all, it’s a great pattern that is easy to follow and very useful.
The fabric is a classic plaid flannel that I picked up from Joann’s. It’s so super soft. I haven’t worked with much flannel and actually can’t remember ever making a garment from it. When I laid out my fabric for cutting the lines in the plaid were getting shifty so I decided to cut it out single layer (instead of folding it in half and cutting two pattern pieces at the same time). It worked well and my plaid matches everywhere except the center front. I checked that I had the plaid positioned in the same place at the side seam but did not do it at the center seam. Note to future self to double check that the fabric matches on both sides of the pattern piece. So, even thought the plaid doesn’t match perfectly, I’m not bothered by it. They’re pajamas.
I've really enjoyed wearing them and can really feel a difference in warmth between the flannel and a regular cotton pj bottom. I’ve even gotten a little overheated a couple of times! These flannel pajama bottoms will definitely be for winter only but I’m really glad to have them in my wardrobe. When spring rolls around, I might even consider making a pair in a lightweight cotton. I'd also really like to try more Sew Over It patterns. The Ultimate Shift Dress was on my 2016 Make Nine list and I just couldn't decide what fabric to use. I have the pattern prepped so one of these days I'll just get on with making a muslin and sewing it up.
