Sew-Along #10 - Bedtime Story Pajamas - Lesson #5

The Bedtime Story Pajamas by Oliver+S
*If you need to see more detail in any of the pictures please click on them to enlarge.

Day 4 - Finishing the Pants

The waistband is next.  Find the two short ends of the waistband and sew them together to make a continuous ring.  Be sure to place your fabric right sides together (my fabric is the same on both sides so I didn't have to worry about right and wrong sides).  Iron the seam open so that it will lay flat.

Press the waistband in half lengthwise so that you have a crease right down the middle of the circle. The fabric will be pressed wrong sides together, so you are hiding the seam. Once the waistband is ironed in half, press one edge 1/2 inch toward the center crease.  We are making the waistband casing so that we have a nice, clean edge once attached.

Place the waistband on top of the pants with right sides together and the folded/ ironed hem to the bottom.  Align the center seam of the waistband to the center seam on the back of the pants.  Pin the raw edge of the waistband and top edge of the pants together.  Sew with a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

It's starting to take shape!  Fold the waistband to the wrong side of the pants at the middle crease we ironed earlier.  You will now have a nice finished edge on both the inside and outside edge of the waistband.  I like to do another pressing to be sure the crease is really nice.  At this point you need to be sure that the edge of the waistband covers the stitches on the inside of the pants, pin.  Starting at the back center of the pants, edge stitch a very small hem to secure both edges of the waistband.  Leave a small opening (a couple of inches) so that the elastic can be inserted.

If you have a Bobkin, now is the time to get it out.  I don't have one, so I will show a different method of inserting elastic.  Attach a safety pin to both ends of the elastic.  Insert the pin attached to the elastic into the opening you left in the topstitching.  Push the pin through the casing of the waistband all the way around.

As the slack in the elastic gets taken up, the tail will get shorter.  Once the elastic doesn't have much of a tail anymore, pin the tail elastic to the waistband (this eliminates the chances of pulling the tail end of the elastic through the casing and having to start the whole process over).  Continue threading the elastic through the waistband until both pins are out of the opening.

Pull enough elastic through the opening to stitch the ends together.  I like to make a rectangle with an "X" in the center to be sure the elastic is secure.  If you have size tags, this is a good time to insert it into the back seam.  The pattern instructions suggest adding a ribbon tag so that you can easily see the back if you don't have size tags. I like that idea!

Stitch the hole for the elastic closed with an edgestich around the entire waistband.

Oh, so close to being FINISHED!  Yay!  We are following the same process that we used for the waistband to make the leg binding.  Sew the two short sides together to form a circle, press the seam open.  Fold the ring in half with the raw edges meeting.  Press one raw edge to meet the center crease, this creates one finished edge after it is attached.  Align the raw edge of the binding with the raw edge of the pants , right sides together.  Pin and sew the pants and the binding together.  Turn the finished edge over the raw edge to the inside of the pants. Be sure to hide all of the stitching. Topstitch to secure both sides of the leg binding.  

And, voila!  You have completed your Bedtime Story Pajamas!  So cute!

Can you even stand the cuteness!!!

These PJ's are perfect for your night before Christmas traditions!  Merry Christmas!

Please let me know if you have any questions.  I can't wait to see your creations. Happy Sewing!

XOXO,

Kara

Sew-Along #10 - Bedtime Story Pajamas - Lesson #4

The Bedtime Story Pajamas by Oliver+S
*If you need to see more detail in any of the pictures please click on them to enlarge.

Day 4 - Beginning the Pants

We're sewing the pants to the Bedtime Story Pajamas today.  This will be very quick and painless, promise!  You deserve a couple of easy days after sewing the Kimono.  The pants are very straightforward with nothing fancy going on. Wonderful!

Note from Danielle: I highly recommend that you read through all of the instructions that came with your pattern before starting.  It helps to familarize yourself with what you will be doing.  It's a good idea with any pattern.  ;)

The pattern instructions explain how to construct the pants by sewing the length of the legs first, then putting them inside one another to attach the legs together.  I want to give you an alternative that is easier for me.  I do all of my pants in this manner.  You choose the method you like.
 
Begin by placing the fabric right sides together with seams lined up, pin.  Sew the two seams together. Finish the edges by serging or zig zag stitching.  You can tell that the long curved side is the back of the pants, and the short curve is the front.

  

Open up the pants so that the legs are formed, still right sides together.  Pin the legs together and sew the seams.  Finish your seams.  

 

Note from Danielle: Don't forget to go back and reinforce the rise.  To do this stitch the rise seam a second time between the two sets of notches.  Stitch just inside the seam line.  This will help to keep the seat/crotch of your pants from ripping out.  Kids can be rough on pants!

The pants are really taking shape now. Go ahead and turn the pants right side out and press.  You can start to see what the pants will look like now.

Let's stop here for today.  I know it is a short day but we will finish the waistband and leg band tomorrow, and be finished!  Yay!

Please let me know if you have any questions. Happy Sewing!
 
XOXO,  
Kara

Sew-Along #10 - Bedtime Story Pajamas - Lesson #3

The Bedtime Story Pajamas by Oliver+S
*If you need to see more detail in any of the pictures please click on them to enlarge.

Day 3 - Finishing the Kimono Style Top

Well, here we are again!  I hope you are refreshed and ready to start the day out by finishing your kimono (or maybe finish your day with some sewing).  The first few steps are a little tricky so it is probably good to start with fresh eyes.

We left off yesterday by attaching the neckband.  Let's pick up with the neckband…

Press the neckband up.  
Working on the wrong side of the kimono, fold the neckband up on itself so that it looks like an accordion fold.  You will end up with the kimono raw edge, neckband raw edge, neckband folded edge and neckband raw edge all stacked on itself (the second picture also shows the accordion fold).   Trim the short edge to a 1/2" overhang.

 

Unfold the neckband and center the raw edge of the tie in the center of the accordion fold.  So your tie raw edge fits inside the folded edge of the neckband. Use the same process to secure the second tie on the other flap of the kimono.

 

Fold the accordion back down on top of itself and pin.  Follow the edge of the kimono to sew a straight line that secures the tie inside the neckband.  Stitch over it a few times to be sure the ties are secure.  Trim any overhand to 1/4".

 

Flip the neckband over to the front side of the kimono.  When you get to the ties, they will be attached perfectly.  (You can see the tie flipped over two pictures down.)  Pin the neckband in place.

 

Edgestitch the neckband in place.

 

Oh we are SO close to being finished!  Hang with me for a few more steps. Match the sleeve edges together and then match the side pieces together.  Pin and stitch in place.  Be sure to make a right angle at the corner of the kimono side and sleeve using one continuous stitch.  Finish seams.

 

Finish the bottom hemline of the kimono.  
Turn the hem to the wrong side 1/2" and then fold again to create a 1" hem. Topstitch the hemline.

 

Repeat the above process to finish the sleeves of the kimono.

 

Attach the tie to the inside of the kimono on the side seam just under the sleeve.  Pin the tie 1/2" below the sleeve seam.  Stitch the tie to the kimono by sewing a rectangle (just to be sure the tie is secure).  The second tie goes on the outside of the kimono but in the same manner as the other tie.

 

Can you even stand it!  Preciousness!!!  I'm so proud of you for finishing the kimono!  It is really cute and your little is going to love it so much!

 

I hope you have enjoyed sewing the kimono today.  Please join me tomorrow to start the pajama bottoms, we can't have half a PJ set!  

Here is my son in his PJ's.  He loves that they are similar to his karate uniform. They're cute for boys or girls!

She always does a twirl!

Thank you again for sewing with me!  See you tomorrow to begin working on the pants!

XOXO,

Kara

You can follow my blog and see what I'm sewing here.

Sew-Along #10 - Bedtime Story Pajamas - Lesson #2

The Bedtime Story Pajamas by Oliver+S
*If you need to see more detail in any of the pictures please click on them to enlarge.

Day 2 - Beginning the Kimono Style Top

You should have the pattern pieces printed out and taped together, along with the fabric cut into appropriate pieces.

We will start by constructing the ties of the kimono.  Follow the steps below and iron after each step.

 

After the ties are ironed neatly, stitch the open edges closed.

We are going to encase the front slanted edge of the kimono.  Fold in 1/2" and iron, then fold in a 1/2" a second time to hide the raw edge. 

 

This makes a really nice outside and inside front panel.

Note: It is a good idea to go ahead and serge the shoulder edges, this allows the seam to be ironed open nicely later.  

Line up the front and back panels at the shoulders.  Stitch the shoulders together, but be sure to stop when you get to the dot you transferred from the pattern.

Press your seam open.  Remember when I told you to finish your edges before you sew the shoulder seams together?  This nice flat seam is the reason.  I like the look of the seam being opened up with two serged edges instead of just one serged seam. 

These seams also needs to be clipped in a "V" at the neck opening to the dot. This "V" helps when the neckband gets attached. 

I have to be honest, this next step took me a few minutes to figure out what in the world I was supposed to do.  When you lay out the pieces it looks more like this picture (ignore my phone and scraps, lol) than the diagram the pattern shows.  The center of the sleeve piece gets attached at the shoulder seam.  The sleeve ends up being placed right in between the dots on the kimono front and kimono back.  Stitch the sleeve to the kimono.

Here is another view to help you understand the sleeve placement a little better.  Both sleeves are laid out flat.  Finish your sleeve seams with a serger or zig zag stitch.

Fold and press your neckband piece 1/2" on one long side.  Be sure you are ironing to the wrong side, I love that my fabric is the same on both sides so I don't have to worry about right and wrong sides.

With your top facing right side up, lay out the Kimono so that the neckline is in a straight line.  The sleeves get folded into triangles to help attach the neckband.

This is an important step that I totally messed up the first time but made all the difference when I did it the correct way.  Place both the neckband and kimono right side up, aligning the raw edges.  The neckband needs to be on the bottom and the kimono on the top.  Pin the neckband to the kimono so that the right side of the neckband is facing the wrong side of the kimono (the neckband is under the kimono).  You can barely see my neckband peeking through at the top, right of this picture.  Stitch the two pieces together with 1/2" seam allowance.

You are going to be so please when we finish the Kimono.  Please come back and sew with me again tomorrow!

XOXO,

Kara

You can follow my blog and see what I'm sewing here.

Sew-Along #10 - Bedtime Story Pajamas - Lesson #1

The Bedtime Story Pajamas by Oliver+S
*If you need to see more detail in any of the pictures please click on them to enlarge.

Day 1 - Printing and Assembling the Pattern and Cutting Out the Fabric
 

 

Printing the Pattern

• If you haven't already, you will want to start by printing out your pattern.  This pattern does not need to be printed in color.  Make sure to set your printer to grey scale or the black and white setting to save on ink.
• When printing, make sure that you choose no scaling or actual size.  Do no select fit to page.
• Also, if you would like to save on paper and ink, you can print out just the pattern pieces instead of the whole PDF.  Then, you can read the directions off of you computer or device.

  Note: I highly recommend that you read through all of the instructions before starting.  It's a good idea with any pattern.  ;)
  

Pattern Assembly

• To assemble the pattern you simply match up the numbers in the circles. 
  

  

  You will need to cut apart the pieces and rotate 
  some of them to fit them together.

  
• When pieced together correctly, all of the numbers and letters will have the same orientation.
  
  
• When you finish piecing your pattern together, you can either cut out your desired size or you can trace out your pattern onto freezer paper (for directions check out this post) or tracing paper. 

  Note: If you are using flannel for your pajamas and would like to use freezer paper pattern pieces, take into consideration that the freezer paper will pick up some of the fuzz from the fabric.  You will still be able to use your pattern pieces over and over, just not quit as many times as if you were using them on knit or quilting cottons.  I still use it on flannel because I just love freezer paper too much not too!  ;)

• Tip from Suzanne:  To make cutting easier - trace your size with a highlighter, marker, or crayon to make visually following your line ever easier.
  

Cutting Your Fabric

• You will be cutting pattern pieces 2, 3, 5, and 6 out of your main fabric.  Pieces 1, 4, 7, and 8 should be cut out of your trim fabric.  Carefully follow the cutting layout diagrams found in the PDF directions.
   
• Be sure to transfer all markings because we will need those later.

That's all for today!  You can post a picture of your completed lesson on our Facebook Group.  We would love to see your progress.  

Tomorrow we will begin to sew up our pajama top.  See you soon.

Happy Sewing,

Danielle and Kara
www.whimsicalfabric.com

Sew-Along #10 - Bedtime Story Pajamas - Preparations

The Bedtime Story Pajamas by Oliver+S

Before we begin the sew-along tomorrow, December 9^th, you will want to gather some items and do a few things to prepare.

Items to Collect

1. If you have not purchased the pattern yet, please do so ASAP.  You may purchase it from our shoppe by clicking here.
2. If you do not have fabric for the project you will want to purchase that ASAP also.  At the time of this writing we do have a some fabric kits available.  We also have lots of fun fabric selections on our website.  If you look at the pattern listing you will be able to see a list of fabrics required for each of the sizes and can put together your own kit if desired.
3. You will also need coordinating thread to complete this project.  The project kits did not come with thread, so please make sure you have some. 
4. If you did not purchase a project kit from us you will need to have about 1 yard of ¾" wide elastic.
   
5. You will want a chop stick or some sort of turning tool and a safety pin.
6. You will want some sort of fabric marking instrument.  You can use chalk, a marking pencil, washable fabric pen; even a bar of soap will work.
   
   
7. A sewing gauge will also be helpful.
   
8. And finally, you will need pins, a sewing machine, a good iron (a steam iron is preferable for sewing), and a pair of fabric shears.  
   
   

Optional Items to Collect - The following items are totally optional. 

1. Freezer paper to trace the pattern and cut out your fabric pieces.  You can find this at most grocery stores with the wax paper and aluminum foil.  Freezer paper is also very helpful when it comes to cutting out knits whose edges tend to roll.
   
2. A sharpie or other permanent marker for tracing your pattern pieces onto the freezer paper.  I recommend a black sharpie as the colored ones, though more fun, can tend to iron onto your fabrics.  Ack!  Had that happen recently and I was so sad.

Things to Do

1. Make sure to prewash and preshrink all of your fabrics.  I wash my fabrics on warm/hot and then I dry my fabrics in the dryer with no softeners.  I always preshrink this way when I am using fabric for clothing construction.  I would hate to work hard on something only to have it shrink and not fit when I was done.
2. Press your fabrics well.  I try to do this straight out of the dryer so that the wrinkles come out easier.  
3. If you haven't already, join our Facebook Sew-Along Group so you can post your progress pictures.
   
   Who is excited to make some super cute jammies?!?  Meeee!!

Happy Sewing,

Danielle Storm
www.whimsicalfabric.com