Pajama Party Sew Along

This summer I have been lamenting the lack of proper pajama's for our unusually hot weather.  Now you know I love the heat, but it does require proper attire.  Seeing as how we only have 2 opportunities to sew together in August at Nicolet, and understanding how busy everyone is this time of year especially here in the North Woods I thought a Pajama Party Sew Along would suit perfectly. 

If you are a beginner, pajama pants or capri's are a great place to begin your garment sewing experience.  If you have very little time to sew this summer, pajama pants or a nightgown would be the perfect small project. 

I will post once a week in August possibly more for this sew along and you can check in and sew along at your convenience.  Now I have designed a pair of pantaloons for my summer p.j.s, which I will post in a day or two,  but you are welcome to sew any garment that you would wear for sleeping or lounging. 

We will begin August 5th (Friday) and you will need to let me know your joining by commenting below.  I f you will be making pajama pants you will need the following supplies

1. Pant pattern such as New Look 6160, McCalls 3432
2. Required fabrics and notions per pattern instructions.

This will be your opportunity to ask questions of me through the site which I will do my best to answer in the form of pictures or videos as the case may be.  So dust off your sewing machine, dig through your stash and lets do some sewing together.

To get you thinking about your pajama's here is some inspiration.

Nighty Nights

These look like they would certainly do the trick for hot summer nights.  A pattern made by Favorite Things and found at their on-line store The Sewing Garden

Chinese pajamas

For something elegant you might want to try these Chinese pajamas from Folkwear patterns

Princess slip



 For the lover of vintage nostalgia, this Princess slip from Folkwear  would make a beautiful nightgown

Free Pattern from Sew News

Keeping it simple this pattern is available on Sew News as a free download.  So all you need is a printer and some tape. 

I hope you are all fired up to join me for a Pajama Party. 

Fairy Costume - Complete

A drum roll seems an inappropriate sound for the arrival of a Fairy queen, perhaps flute and zither?

Regardless of the music the completion of this Fairy costume was a proud moment for me..can you tell?

Lynne Williams with Fairy costume 2011

 The joy of a silk and rayon velvet can clearly be seen in these pictures.  It captures the light and soothes the senses don't you think?

Hemming Velvet at Williams Studio 2

Peg and I are placing the swing tacks that hold the hems together.  The final touch completed the afternoon before Sue arrives for her final fitting.

Sue/client contributed the fabrics, the wings and the fabulous beaded purse which was a design element I presented in my original sketch to her.  This purse arrived at our 2nd meeting along with some other possibilities.  She has been collecting materials for this project for many years, and I am thrilled to have been the recipient of this commission.

Fairy Costume - Williams Studio 2 - 2011

The bodice is outlined with a embroidered applique which was died this bronze color and then some metal sequins added to catch the light.

The sleeves are edged along the top with a narrow metallic gimp and the sleeve hem was cut to mimic the wings and then edged with a metallic thread.

The belt which holds the purse is detachable and made from an upholstery trim, backed with Petersham ribbon and then trimmed at center front with a brass jewelry finding to replicate a buckle.



Slippers fit for a Fairy - Williams Studio 2

 I do love these slippers!  which did cause Sue to "Gasp".  They were an additional surprise for her.

There is a mini tutorial if you would like more information about them.

Fairy wreath - Williams Studio 2 

The head piece which enhanced Sue's ginger hair, the highlights in the wings, and the contrast trim on the bodice.  Crazy fun isn't it?

Presenting Sue Sadowske in her Fairy Queen Costume - by Williams Studio 2



Here is our Fairy Queen standing in my humble fitting room.  She seems well pleased. 

I have mixed emotions about this project coming to an end.  It always feels good to finish a project but this one was particularly fun for me, so I am a little sad to no longer be creating such fantasy.  Working on it reminded me of sewing in dark theatre basements, traveling with Harry Blackstone Jr. and making pyramids for Ronnie James Dio.  Creating costumes means doing something different every day, exploring new techniques, working with new materials, playing with light and form and collaborating with other creatives.

I will be posting more tutorials on this project now that I have met the deadline so please check back if you want to learn about sewing on velvet,   how to make swing tacks and that sleeve hem finish. 

Fairy shoe - Restyle

Today these sad little flats were transformed. 

Thanks to Peg for coming into the studio an extra day I was able to make over these shoes into something more suitable while she hemed velvet. 

I got the better end of that deal for sure:)

Once again all of the necessary supplies were on hand.  Irridescent organza, silk florals, glue, more glue, hot glue and rhinestones.  That should do it.

 And we have Fairy shoes.  Covering these shoes reminded me of theatrical costuming...what fun I had.  The smell of hot glue always brings fond memories.  Memories of  other shoes, fancy hats, fabulous accesories....for some its the smell of grease paint, nope I say hot glue.

I began by covering the upper with a thin layer of Yes glue, really great sticky stuff.  The organza was then layed on top placing the bias over the top of the toe.  This allows the fabric to be worked around the curves and still have it lay nice and flat.  After trimming the excess fabric off I pushed the cut edge into the crack above the sole, with my thumb nail.  Hard to believe this works I know, but your soles are not glued on as tight as you might think.  Once the glue had dried I applied the ombre ribbon around the top with Alene's Tacky Glue.  The leaves and flowers were then arranged and set with hot glue, and finally the rhinestones were set in place with 527 cement.

I changed the lighting on this shot, to enhance the shifting light effect that the irredescent fabric creates.

How much fun are these.  Why don't I do this more often?  Think of  Brides and their maids, or what about with my favorite pair of jeans...honestly I am running to Goodwill to pick up some cheap flats to amp up.  You want to join me?

Tomorrow my client Sue will be picking up her Fairy Ensemble. I hope to talk her into photos, but she is quite busy getting ready for her Garden Party, so may not feel inclined to be photographed.  But rest assured photos are being taken although they may only be on my dress form, which does not do the justice to the dress that Sue does.