Elastic waistband pajama bottoms are super easy to make, and are also the only thing son has asked me to make for him. McCall's 4244 men's pajama set has good reviews at PR, so I am not expecting any problems here ... once I determined the fabric was okay. As I pulled it out to iron it, I noticed the plaid wasn't lining up. After yesterday's experience with the twisted offgrain woven flannel, I put my nose down to the fabric to see if this one had done the same. Nope ... the print is offgrain, not the weave. Whew! So keep in mind the print is off on this fabric:
I had thought I may have an even plaid on my hands, but the ruler says not. The crossgrain stripes are 3-3/8 inches apart, while the ongrain stripes are 4 inches. It is unbalanced, as evident in the pic. So, an unbalanced uneven plaid to play with ... printed offgrain.
So, I've already gotten the front piece cut out ... all I have still to cut is the back and pockets for each side seam. The elastic length is already measured in the most scientific way possible: wrapping elastic around his waist and snugging it to what he calls comfortable, then taking it in another inch to account for the flannel's thickness and weight. I learned early on with suede pants that fabric weight and thickness affect how well the elastic will hold the pants up ... both my suede "pirate" pants have large safety pins helping the waistbands stay up!
I'm guessing my biggest challenge will be getting my son to model the finished project for a picture ...
7 comments:
ha ha...I'm a member of the safety pin club too! I have several skirts where the fabric stretched out and now they are a few inches too big LOL
Do the PJs have a fly? I've had such a hard time finding ones with a fly...number one complaint from both the hubs and my nephew!
Nope, no fly on these. Just the very simple elastic waistband with side seam pockets.
dfr, pardon my reaching over you to include a quick note for Just Barb. A fly for p-j's doesn't have to be fancy. You could look at some in the store to see how they did it, but what you could do is just add a few inches to each center front, for the length you need. Stitch and secure the cf seam to where you added the fabric. Clean-finish the edges and turn under one side at the cf, then turn under again. For the other side turn under half of the amount you added. Finish the top also if you don't want to include it in the elastic. Add snaps if desired.
glor, by all means feel free to add whatever experience and knowledge you may have! No pardon needed - this is a public convo and I hope everyone feels free to chime in with questions, comments, suggestions, and knowledge/experience (the last two things, I am still working on LOL)
OK, thanks. One blogger said she liked to think of her comments area as a little cafe where friends met, shared coffee, and exchanged ideas.
glor - that's a pleasant anaolgy. Share ideas, experience, tips and tricks ... but share my COFFEE??!!?? Err ... ummm ... uhh ... BYOC here folks! (Bring Yer OWN Coffee)
ha ha! That is a fab trick!! Thanks so much!!
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