3/11/10: For a Better Night's Sleep

I've decided to begin recording my finished projects in a more organized fashion, just so I can return to this post and pinpoint information I need faster and easier. That's the goal anyway! :D

Project: Satin PJ's and Pillowcase

Made for whom? My younger sister, Catherine.

Pattern and #: Simplicity 3571

Pattern source: I bought this pattern from sewingpatterns.com as a download. Price was $2.99, on sale.

What is included in this pattern? Misses' / Women's pajamas, pajama bag and knit top. I only used the misses' pajamas pattern.

Does this pattern have any interesting features? Yes. The pajamas have attached sleeves, you know, kimono style. Never done this type of garment before!

Fabric choice: I choose a 100% polyester, charmeuse satin from fabric.com at $4.98 a yard. It came in a 60" width. I bought 5 yards, used 3 for the PJ's, 1/2 yard for the pillowcase, and had 1/2 yard leftover.

What size did I do? I did size 10.

Any pattern alterations? Yes. Here is my list of alterations:

1. I shortened the distance between the waist and crotch by 2 inches. Why? Because my sister didn't want the pajamas to fall at her waist, just a little bit below.

2. I lengthened the legs by adding 4-3/4 inches. Why? Because my sister is 6' tall.

3. I removed 4" from the side seams of the bodice. Why? Because when I was cutting out the pattern piece I discovered that there was a good amount of ease at the waist; about 12 inches amazingly! But before I altered the pattern, I made a muslin just to be on the safe side. It turned out that my prediction was right: too much ease.

4. I didn't add pockets. Why? My sister requested none.

5. I added more buttons and I spaced them 3" apart. Why? Modesty is the key word here!

6. I added a drawstring to the pants' waist casing. Why? Just for that extra support.

Any problems with the pattern instructions? Yes. I found that the cutting layout for view C in 60" width was incorrect. The arm on pattern piece 11 was longer than pictured in the illustration. I managed to find a suitable layout though, so it was no real problem. I didn't find any other flaw in the instructions.

How did I finish my seams? I chose to finish my seams with a three-thread overlock stitch on my serger using a #70 needle and 100% polyester thread.

Any problems along the way? I didn't run into any major problems except I found it to be very difficult to cut out my pattern pieces. This satin is very slippery and I didn't have a large enough table to accommodate the large pattern pieces. I really need to find a large space to cut!

So here are the PJ's, finished and ready for Slumber Land. . .

And here is a picture of the pillowcase I made with some of the leftover fabric.