I finished sewing my new pajama pants over the weekend. They are warm and cozy, and I love the colors and print! Maybe you recall, I asked my daughters for 2 yards of flannel fabric for Christmas. I found this print on sale at JoAnn's Fabrics for $2.99/yard. My out-of-pocket cost for the fabric was $0, but my daughters spent about $6.
Also, here's the top I chose to complete the pj set. It's a light pink, oversized t-shirt from Michaels craft store. I received a $5 reward coupon in my email a couple of weeks ago with an expiration date of Jan. 27. I also had a coupon for 20% off any purchase.
On Friday, I dashed over there to look at the tees. I knew I would find something I liked. Michaels often has their t-shirts for painting/silk screening on sale. They did have one brand for $2.99 each. But I didn't find a color I liked in that selection. So I went with this one. It was $12.99, less 20%, less my $5 rewards, for a grand total of $5.39 plus tax.
I was trying to sew these at minimal out-of-pocket cost to myself -- no additional costs was my goal. I decided not to buy any light pink thread and used some light yellow thread that I already had from a project many years ago. As it all turned out, the light yellow is not only okay, but it's barely noticeable. I also didn't need to buy any elastic for the waistband. I have enough elastic from other projects to probably get me through another 3 pairs of pajamas. And I was using a pattern that I've had and used for over 20 years.
You might have noticed the flower appliqué on the front of the elastic waistband. Manufactured clothing usually has a tag in the back. That's sometimes how I determine which way a top or elastic waist pants go. With handmade pjs that don't have a fly, it's difficult to know which is front and which is back. But there is a difference. The back side is usually roomier. Have you ever put on a pair of leggings backwards and wondered why the front is so baggy? I've done that. When I sew pajama pants, I like to put something center front that will differentiate front from back. So, I rummaged through my sewing trims and came across the perfect little flower appliqué. It really looks like it was meant for this print.
The pattern that I use indicates that I should buy 2 5/8 yards of this width fabric for my size. I'm not all that tall, so I have shortened my pattern by about three inches. I asked my daughters for 2 yards of this fabric. When choosing a print, I looked for one that I could turn sideways for cutting. By turning sideways, I mean that I unfold the fabric and refold it in the opposite direction. I've found with this pattern, I can fit both pattern pieces side by side across the fabric sideways. Whereas when laying out the fabric and pattern with the manufactured fold as it was purchased, the pieces have to be offset to accommodate the fabric's width. This works totally fine when purchasing the recommended amount of fabric. But I do try to be sparing with the fabric, if possible, and purchase just a little bit less.
I learned this little trick years ago when sewing a solid color pair of pj pants for myself. I measured the length of the pattern pieces once shortened, then determined if they would fit side by side if laid out on the width of fabric I chose (typically 44/45" width for flannel). Anyway, by shortening the pants to my height and by turning the fabric sideways, I was able to do these with 5/8 yard less than the pattern suggested.
I sometimes buy the pattern, take it home, do a mockup of how I will lay out pattern pieces on a grid cutting board, then go back to the store to buy the needed fabric based on how much I think I will need. Doing this is one way that I've made sewing projects more affordable.
I enjoy sewing. For one thing, it allows me an opportunity to express some creativity while still being frugal. It's one of those productive hobbies, like vegetable or herb gardening or refinishing furniture. I try not to frustrate myself with the sewing projects that I select. So I tend to choose those which are on the easy side and can be completed quickly. These pj pants fit that description.
