Not all sewing needs to be couture-inspired. Sometimes simple pajamas are just right, especially when they are for two little granddaughters, with Valentine’s Day in mind.
I stumbled across this cozy flannel last year on Fabric.com.
Designed by Riley Blake and in her “Lovey Dovey” collection, it is certainly “heart” oriented, but not so much that it is restricted just to February 14th. I bought 3 yards and tucked it away for the day when my youngest granddaughter no longer needed to be in onesies. Well, guess what? That is this year!
I picked up this Butterick pattern as I really liked view CE on the left, and set about to make matching PJs for my two little girls.
One of the nice design details is the longer shirttail back of the pajama top. This makes it easier to tuck in if desired.
I’m very glad I have so much experience working with not enough fabric! I had to get very creative with the placement of the pattern pieces, and I was still a little short. I solved the problem by making the undercollars out of plain white flannel (which I had on hand.)
I don’t own a serger, so to finish the seams and make them extra sturdy for many washings, I made flat felled seams throughout.
I also added elastic to the sleeves and to the pajama pants legs, to help keep the cold air out and the warm body heat in.
The fabric is so busy that I knew it did not need much embellishment, but I can never resist a little bit of rick rack, so I added a small flourish to the collars, applying it free-form.
When I “auditioned” the fabric for buttons, pink and red ones simply did not add any interest, so instead I chose to pick up the contrasting aqua.
What fun to make something so simple, but so cute!
Wrapped up in festive paper, off they went across the miles…
May your Valentine’s Day be cozy and sweet and a celebration of some of life’s simple joys!
fiftydresses 
Little girl pajamas are always so much fun to make…love the Aqua trim!
Thanks, Kathy!
Sweeter than candy & twice as nice. The girls are surely delighted. The rick rack and elastic add such special touches. Time flies. For items made more than a decade ago that proved to have special memories I wish I had at least a tiny square of the fabric saved with a picture. No big loss but the fabric itself would conjure up the memories even more clearly. May your day be sweet & merry & warm.
My daughter says the girls LOVE their new pajama. Fortunately, they are two little ones who seem to love to receive new clothing (as well as toys)! Isn’t it amazing how many memories can be in a small swatch of fabric? Another one of the joys of sewing!
How adorable! I agree that sometimes a non- couture project is fun. I think the flat felled seams are better and stronger than serged. Happy Valentines Day to two lucky little girls.
Thank you, Mary. I think I am the lucky one with two such sweet little granddaughters!
I love that fabric! I can imagine the little girls looking at all those tiny pictures when it’s bedtime. Very pretty. I miss sewing for little ones!
I had fun looking at the fabric while sewing the pjs, so, yes, I think they will have fun with it, too!
Adorable! And so pretty, too. I agree that flat-felled seams, while taking a bit more time than running them through a serger, are stronger and look better!
Thank you, Tia Dia! Good, old-fashioned, flat felled seams can’t be beat!
Oh, how lovely! The little ones must have been really pleased. 🙂
They were and they look so cute in these pjs, too!
What a wonderful surprise for your granddaughters! The PJs are so cozy looking. You are so lucky to have them to sew for!
Thank you, Marguerite! I am so lucky, you are right. The girls were so excited to have buttons on their pjs so they can practice that little skill. They were just with me for 10 days which was wonderful (and exhausting!) Now they both have birthdays coming up which might necessitate some more “little girl” sewing…