Thursday 19 August 2010

My Creative Space : Slumber party

It's PJ's galore in my creative space this week.

This parcel of PJ's landed at its Sydney destination yesterday so I am safe to blog it now.

Firstly some love heart 'Superwoman" jammies for my sister.
With all that she does in a week she deserves a Superwoman shirt - so I made her one!


It's done using a reverse applique. So I pinned the flannelette to the inside of the shirt, traced the logo onto the front using washable marker then stitched around the logo.

Next you carefully cut out the hirt from the sections you want to appear in colour and you're done.
Check out this tutorial from "That Darn Kat" which I used if you want to see more.

You can use this technique for any shape you like, they're easy and fun to do.

Next up some yellow birds for one of my nieces - I sent her a shirt and some fabric to make up her own shirt design as she had some great ideas for herself.

She's a clever and crafty kid so I hope soon to post what she has made (hint hint, Imogen!)

This green and purple combo is for my other niece - with an extended cuff as she's quite tall! These are her favourite colours, what were the odds of finding this fabric!

And last. but by no means least, some snowboarders for my nephew. I did reverse appliques on his shirt as well, cutting around the figures.

I love the checked cuffs on these, and was really pleased to find a coordinating contrast for him.
I used black twill tape instead of ribbon in the top of these pants so it's not too girly!!


All pants were made using the Sweet Dreams pattern from Make it Perfect.
I just appliqued onto store bought tops to make it faster and easier.

For reference - the small size was a perfect fit for my 12 year old nephew, and I used the medium for my 14 and 16 year old nieces - adding an extra 2 inches onto the pants for the tall young lady!

The kids prefer the elastic to be attached to the waistband so it has no chance of rolling, so I did this for theirs. I sewed the elastic on before folding over and securing the waistband and then inserting the ribbon.

It has made the waistbands more stiff, hopefully it will loosen up but I have to say I prefer the finished result doing them the way Toni states in the pattern, by putting the elastic in a casing.

Now it's on to more summer sewing for me, though there are still one or two winter projects calling my name...

Find the more decisive crafters at Kirst's place, where she is deviating from her quilt for a bit of speed crafting.

18 comments:

Belinda Saville said...

Wow, they all look fantastic! I love the Super Woman pj's...and I'm sure your lucky sister does too :-)

Hannah said...

wow you are AMAZING!!!!! these are the coolest jammies i have ever seen!

make it perfect said...

Awesome - You have been busy!!!

They all look great - love the boys version too, so cool.

Are they flannel or cotton?

Cass said...

Great jim jams Karen, I am sure they will be loved

Becky said...

I love that green and purple combo! They will all be very well clad come bedtime :)

Brenda @ 13 Acres said...

I think all mumma's need some superwoman pj's - they are the bomb!!! love your fabric choices!!!

Tanya said...

Ms. Super Aunt, I assume? THey are great.

Kate said...

Gorgeous pj's karen!
They are such a great idea for prezzies.
I've been procrastinating making pj's for ages. Maybe I need to buy that pattern too.
Two patterns in two posts. You need to start getting commissions I think.

Green Mama said...

I have this pattern too, and now you've given me the motivation to get cracking! Too lovely... What a lovely aunt you are.

Ruby Girl said...

They are great looking pj's. You have inspired me to make a list of things to sew, starting with some summer weight pj's.

cherri said...

so, so, so pretty! They look great.

Little Munchkins said...

Great job Karen, I can't decide which one I like best!

Kelly Casanova said...

Wow, that's a lot of sewing, well done!

sophie said...

Wow, you're a machine!! Your family is so lucky to be in receipt of all this handmade loveliness!!

sweet emmelie said...

Man you are impressive with all your sewing goodies! can't wait to get back into craft!

Miss Prudence said...

Fabulous Jammies!
I love love love them!

Pippi creates said...

These are just lovely! And the reverse applique matching tops are a great idea. I have a couple of of those same flannel materials in my stash, and for making pjs from them too (mbut maybe a litttle bit down the track). Lovely job!

Sally said...

So divine! What an attractive bunch your sister's mob will be as they head to bed :) ... and I am very much looking forward to seeing what Imogen creates - so put the hard word on!