Christmas Pajamas

Last year I had to search high and low for coordinating (matching fabric but not styles) pajamas for my boys. I finally found some, but I wasn't thrilled with them. So this year I'm making them. Here's round one - guess what I used?

Yup! I made a new sleeve for it since the original pattern has 2 part sleeves.  You can download the new sleeve here. And you can buy the pattern right here. It's $6.00 USD paid through Paypal and then you get a link (through E-junkie) for an instant download. No waiting to sew! It comes in sizes 18m, 2T, 3T and 4T, with 23 pages of instructions and 12 pages of pattern pieces. Just use the Add to Cart Button below.

Or, if you're more comfortable with Etsy, you can purchase it through my Etsy store. However, then you have to wait on an e-mail from me (which should be within 24 hours). And it's $6.50 on Etsy because I have to pay more seller fees there.

Here's the link:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TaterAndBean

Ok, so now that you're set with the top pattern, you need about 1 1/2 yards of fabric (I snagged some of the 1.49/yd flannel that Joann's had on Black Friday) 1 pkg of extra wide double fold bias tape (2 pkgs for the size 4) and 5 buttons. You will also need about 20-22 inches of 1 inch elastic for the pants waistband.

Here are the changes from sewing the blazer:

First, only pin the front, back, front facing, collar and the pajama sleeve pieces, since we won't be making fully lined pajamas. When you cut out the front and back pieces, add about 1/4 inch to each side seam, so the pajamas won't be too tight.

Next, finish the inside edge of the front facing pieces. I'm using a zig-zag since my serger is out of commission.

Assemble the collar following the pattern instructions, and then trim the sewn edges with bias tape.

Don't sew the optional center back seam. Mark the center back, then sew the collar into place according to the pattern.

Then sew in the front facing pieces, leaving about 1/2"  free at the top (arrow below)

After you flip the facings to the inside, you'll fold this free flap over onto the shoulder seam

For the raw edge of the collar, open up some of the bias tape and pin it just above the seam line. Fold the short ends under and pin into the shoulder seams, under the front facings.

Then you need to do some stitching in the ditch on the right side. Sew over the shoulder seams and across the seam where the collar is attached.

This will tack the front facings and the bias tape covering the collar raw edge into place.

To attach the sleeves, pin in place like this

Start pinning from the front side of the top, continuing toward the back side. After this is sewn in, fold the sleeve in half and sew up the side seam and the underarm seam at the same time.

Finally, I finished off the edges with bias tape, and then sewed in buttons. I spaced them 2 inches apart, starting the first one about 2 1/2 inches down from the top edge. In the picture below, the top button isn't buttoned. 

For the pants, I just used a basic elastic waist pattern. You can make your own based on a pair of pants your kid owns, (see here for basic pattern making) or Dana from Made has this great (and free!) tutorial and pattern for size 2T-3Tish pants.