Wednesday, June 6, 2012

little pyjamas



I can never seem to walk past the fabric pile at an op shop, without a good rummage through it. Not one to pass up a good fabric bargain when I see it, I've often come home with a small collection of unused good quality fabrics. But those small collections do add up to a slightly overweight stash.




So it's always a good feeling to complete a project that has come from this stash. To turn something that was once unwanted into something practical and useful. And good to get that pile down just a little. Because cupboards overspilling with fabric does not a happy marriage make.

Take these few pieces of unused cotton flannel for instance. Perfect for a few pairs of pyjamas for Violet. Have you ever shopped for pants for a cloth nappied toddler? You will find that most pants are just too teeny tiny. The good news is I quite like toddler sewing, and pants are very easy to whip up.





So I sewed these up over a few days, using the Quick Change Trousers pattern from Handmade Beginnings as a rough guide. I traced the 24 months size, but added an extra inch around the nappy area. Good for those bulky night time nappies.

I then found a few tops in the drawer that weren't being used all that often, and cut out a few pieces for applique, which were then zig zagged onto the front.




So we now have some (kind of) matching little pyjamas that cost next to nothing. Warm but not too warm for this little co-sleeper.

I can't help but smile when I see them.




 

Do you find it hard to resist fabric too?  Do you sew or have plans to? What are you working on or planning right now?


24 comments:

  1. Oh yes I can't resist looking at the fabric or linen in op shops and never seem to leave empty handed :) I'm currently making Kaizer some pj's using a thrifted flannette sheet and pattern..having started them two weekends ago I need to get a move on.
    I always had trouble dressing clothed nappied bottoms too hence making a lot myself.
    Violet's pj's are super duper cute, nice touch upcycling some tees too.
    x

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  2. there so cute! I have a whole dresser full of fabric I really need to use! I've said no more fabric until I eat into the stash!

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  3. I had a heap of vintage fleecy, children's patterned material in my cupboard that I never used so donated it to charity...Hopefully someone has put it all to good use as you have done :)

    x

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  4. Those are lovely PJs. My UFO pile now has its own cupboard - which indicates how out of control it is!! I know what you mean about cloth nappy bottoms - Keep all the pants that don't fit though because when they start potty training and can wear undies they suddenly fit into them if they are petite little things like my first (my boy is a big footed puppy type and is only one size behind his three years senior sister!).

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  5. oh yes I have trouble leaving the fabric on the shelf too. Jamas are just so sweet as is your little one.

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  6. Totally hear you! I can actually honesty say that my whole fabric collection is 98% op shopped and/or given to me by family/friends who are throwing things out. Minus a few bits and bobs including some linen that I bought with a birthday voucher from the Fabric Store in Fitzroy which took me about an hour to choose!!!

    Nell and I are laying low at home today, she's unwell and I'm trying my best to be patient. When she wakes up the DVD she has been asking for all morning and some pj sewing may be in order! I've got a few super cute kiddie flannel blankets that I scored at the op shop a while ago... have been waiting for some inspiration, thank you!! x

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  7. P.S. I have the big butt baby pants pattern from madebyrae (not sure of address but if you google you will find) these have been great for our cloth-nappied bum!

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  8. P.S. I have the big butt baby pants pattern from madebyrae (not sure of address but if you google you will find) these have been great for our cloth-nappied bum!

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  9. They are adorable, love flannelette on wee ones! I have to but those vintage baby print blankets and sheets too, must get sewing :)

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  10. Love those pj's. Fabulous fabric finds for sure. I could not have passed them up either and may have snuck them in the house and hidden then had Dave made any comments about the size of my stash. Thankfully he has no idea. He asked me recently what was in the step cabinet, which is stuffed with fabric. I was elusive, "Oh, you know, sewing stuff and things..."

    Time seems to be against me for all but the most simple and practical sewing of late. I've managed to whip up several pairs of cloth breast pads and a terry toweling cover for the change mat, but besides that, my crafting time has been limited to knitting at night. :)

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  11. Yes, I always make a bee line for the linen section. I have made heaps for my little one for only a few $$. A single bed quilt with my newly found vintage sheets is next on the list.
    Love the jim jams. x

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  12. Love them! And as a non-sewer (sigh), I would happily pay you to make some for my 4 kiddies...seriously!!!

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  13. Fabric, wool, lace edging...I can't resist any of it.

    Those jarmies are so cute. I love that you use cloth nappies, good on you.

    I'm not sewing too much at the moment but I always seem to have some fabric stashed away. I seem to be busying myself with knitting and crochet. I am crocheting a wrap at the moment.

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  14. Super cute! I can't walk past nice fabric either! I have so many project in the works. The next project is some wool sleeping bags for my son and a knitted vest.

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  15. Beautiful pyjamas. Yes I can't go past the op shop fabric section, and I am enjoying sewing baby clothes for my grandson.

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  16. What kind of floors do you have? They look like cement. Are they cold in the winter?

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  17. They turned out so cute! She looks lovely and warm!

    I do did through the fabric at the second hand, but I try to be selective...I try.

    I am still struggling to bring myself to finish a long canning apron I started last year and have a dress bodice sewn together just waiting for its skirt!

    I find less time to sew as the gardening season is upon me. But, I find a moment here and there.

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  18. Those PJ's are adorable and no I can hardly resist fabric even though I have enough to cloth at least 12 people waiting to be made up into clothing and other projects. After some browsing today I've come to the conclusion that I will never be able to buy anything in a store again - even sale prices are out of our budget but I DO have my stash. So it is time to put it to work and get some clothes made for myself.

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  19. @anonymous - yes, they are polished concrete with a water based sealant.. They are not cold if the house is heated, as though concrete absorbs cold it absorbs heat also if it is there.

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  20. They are the sweetest little jarmies!

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  21. Oh yes...many plans to sew...just not much follow through these days...

    Those little PJs are just precious!

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  22. I have made my daughter some pyjama bottoms this week too. I am sewing the top this long weekend.
    They are so much nicer than bought ones aren't they?

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  23. I'm still catching up on blogs from my week away so I missed this lovely one from you. Your pjs are the cutest! I recently made a pair with applique too but I didn't use any of my thrifted stash. Tammi's tip using flannelette sheets is a goodie. Yes, I am a recent convert to the blessings of thrifted fabrics and like you am building quite a collection. My hubby is looking on without comment, for now! Your Violet is such a sweet model. BTW I have linked back to your crumpet post today on my blog. xx Fi

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