Real talk: I am a total creature of habit and planning. Nothing soothes my soul like a well compiled to do list and ticking things off. So it has to be something pretty freaking cool to shake up my next sewing project plans. Enter impulse purchased fabric and the Grainline Studios Lakeside Pyjamas set. This is a match made in crazy awesome!
The fabric that lured me in like a siren’s song is a fantastic Japanese lawn from Spotlight. It is whisper soft, handles beautifully and is reasonably priced- win! But most importantly it is covered in peculiar little blobs which I have been treating like a personal Rorschach test. For me, the blobs are tiny little Totoros gallivanting. For El Husbando they are kitty faces. Regardless of what you think they are these suckers are adorable and totally rock it with the pink bias binding!
Construction wise these PJs were fairly simple and, as always with Grainline patterns, the instructions were very detailed and clear. The only trouble I had was trying to get a couple of binding joins sorted- specifically the back wrap to the neckline and the side of the gym shorts. It took a few goes but I finally got it sorted and they turned out fine. The stitching is a bit hinky here but you live, you learn.
The insides have been French seamed which could make me sound super fancy or some such but let’s be honest – I was just too lazy to drag my overlocker out. BWAH HA HA! I had also just caved and purchased a bias binding foot for Daisy the Janome and holy monkey hats that thing is amazing! You just feed the binding into the foot, slip the fabric into the binding sandwich and away it goes. Life. Changing.
The only grumble I have about these bad boys is the sizing of the gym shorts. Whilst my measurements were comfortably in the recommended size range things feel a bit snug there. It may be I’m used to sleeping in looser shorts or perhaps I have a free range butt that needs room to move? Regardless, it’s comfy enough for PJs but next time things will be a size up for sure!
What I liked about this pattern:
- The back panel wrap. I feel like a human burrito!
- The gym shorts vibe. It’s a 70s flashback in the best possible way!
- The bias binding trim- it’s pimping your PJs!
What I would change next time:
- Go up a size in the shorts. Comfiness is premium!
- Make my own bias tape. Laziness prevailed here.
- I’ve got nothing else. This is a stellar pattern!
The Deets
Pattern: Lakeside Pyjamas by Grainline Studio
Fabric: 1.5 metres Japanese lawn from Spotlight
Notions: Thread, 1m elastic, 6m cotton bias binding
See also: Awfully Nice, True Bias, Lladybird
Overall, these PJs are all kinds of rad! I’m seriously contemplating knocking some of these up for Christmas gifts this year with matching sleep masks and little drawstring bags. Though that would require me to get organised and that’s not on the cards. But you know what is? PILLOW FIGHT!
Your writing style/ voice is fab and always makes me laugh and your new PJs set is all kinds of awesome!
Naw, thanks Lauren! I am so stoked to have these made up- I want another pair already!
I shall never be able to look at your arse again without thinking “Hmmm … Free range butt”.
And that’s a good thing!
LOVE the pjs. They are totes the best thing and also that burrito back wrap thing is rad.
BWAH HA HA! My work here is done!
you look gorgeous and these pj’s are the bees knees! am off to investigate a bias binding foot cause that sounds all kinds of awesome.
Thanks, lovely lady! So loving my snug PJs!
The foot I got is: http://bit.ly/1CICkU5 Not cheap, $30 but it is worth every penny!!!!
I can see little kitty faces too! I’m gonna show the daughter these, I can see her wearing them. I like the style of the boxer shorts too with the side seams shaped like that, just a bit different to a standard pair.
The fabric is seriously the best! I got some in black and they had free and yellow as well! The shorts are totally rad 😀
Definitely kitty faces. Very nice indeed. You could totally wear it out too, it’s far too nice to just wear in bed!
Oh, a vote for Team Kitty! I am seriously tempted to make a silk version of the top for evening catch ups- the burrito back is the best!
These are GREAT! I love the little blobs patterns – I see kitties, but I WANT to see Totoros! Why can’t I see TOTOROS! Lol – I have this pattern and really need to make it up! Also, this bias binding foot you speak of – it sounds magical – where did you find it / hear about it? I have a Kenmore machine, but maybe I could partake in the awesomeness – lol 🙂
I am seeing the tiny totoros – the little white blobby one! May be wishful thinking though…
Okay, so I have a Janome and the foot I got was: http://bit.ly/1CICkU5 I bought it from my local Janome shop for $30. It was a definite splurge but damn it is AMAZING! I am hong kong finishing all of the things!
Cute boots!!!!! I can see why you were distracted from your plans! These are adorable! I’ve got to get a binding foot… they sound magical!
Isn’t it the best impulse fabric, ever?! And team bias binding foot- seriously life changing!
Super cute! They look perfect for lounging in. I gotta get me a binding foot after that recommendation too!
Merci, lovely! They are super comfy and I want another set already 😀
And the bias binding foot I went for is this one: http://bit.ly/1CICkU5 So worth the investment!
Love these pjs, Amanda – very perfectly you, and even though you’d like them bigger, they look great on camera! Great match with the binding 🙂
It felt so good to sew pink again after the last few months of neutrals… I’m back! 😉
These are super dooper kitten worthy CUTE! I need to see this bias binding foot in action…IG video production perhaps?
Mel, you must get on this bias binding foot action if you want to do heaps of BB. Seriously awesome!
these are adorable. I find my shorts a wee bit tight too, and maybe a bit shorter than I usually wear, but I love them all the same. i have another pair planned to make up. curious – did you make your own tape or use store bought? Im on the lookout for silk bias tape for next time because my store bought is a bit itchy.
Okay, maybe it is not just my free range butt making these feel a wee bit tight! I have made these up twice (one for a friend last year and this one) and I made self tape last time and store bought this time. I have found the tape a little scratchy and am hoping some washing will soften it up. I’d definitely prefer self made but making 6 metres is definitely fiddly! The silk sounds lovely 😀
Oooh enter this in the Cat Sewing challenge Miss Crayola Creepy is hosting! They’re totally cute little kitten faces.
Ohhh abstract kittehs! That should count, right? I love this fabric so hard!
Oh you are too adorable! I love these and the print – super fun!!
Naww, thanks Liz! The fabric is crazy awesome!
I was lovely to meet you last Saturday at Tessuti.
Love the PJ’s, now why can’t I find cute fabric like that at Spotlight!
You too, Sharon! It’s always such a potluck at Spotto- sometimes it rocks and other times is sucks!
So glad to have seen these in person. I LOVE the back and the pink binding is fierce. Lakeside pj’s are now on my sewing to do list 🙂
Lady, you need to get on this wagon for summer comfort STAT!
I just presumed they were lovehearts till I read your comment on the little red thingies 🙂
These are so pretty! I’m totally loving them. And the concept of a free-ranging butt 😀
Ahh, you see love hearts! They are ridiculously cute – though I want them in blue now!
They had them in blue? Hell yeah, go blue too!