My new PJ Pants...

It was back to the boring basics this week.  Last week I tried to avoid this project and aimed for some instant gratification by  purchasing a RTW pair of PJ pants.  I know, I know, quite sacrilegious. Once home, my sinful RTW purchase revealed itself to be a poor choice:

Aside from the irksome mismatch of stripes - just look at the distorted hang of this rear end.  It was also distorted at the front.

Well, I took these back to the shop, issued a large and long sigh, raided the stash:

And decided to make something.  With zero enthusiasm I have to admit.  This came under the category of needs must sewing, and I really didn't want to have to make them!  AND, I don't like sewing with knits yet.

 I'm sure we all have sewing  moments like this :)

The fabric is not a great fabric - it was something I purchased very cheaply at Spotlight a few years ago - $2.00 a metre.  I think it is a poly cotton - it's quite soft and drapey.  Good for practicing sewing with knits.

I used a pattern with minimal seams - McCalls 6173.

 This is a one piece per leg leggings pattern:

They are supposed to be made out of two way stretch knit, and are supposed to be stretched taut.  I use the large size in one way stretch knit to make pants, not leggings.  I also add one inch at the waist so that they are sitting at my waist - low waisted pants fall down on me.  The added extra also allows sit down room, with only one way stretch this is needed.

I have made this pattern before when I wanted quick and simple polar fleece pants for cold nights: 

find these here...

(Gosh, I was looking tired and stressed there - that was while I was sorting out our two year crisis, with still a lot on my mind).

I also made this pattern up in a stretch cotton sateen - very successfully:

find these here...

But back to today's make:

The goal was some quick and simple PJ pants to solve the cold legs in the morning problem:

Yes, this gets a bit cold and breezy while doing all those morning chores.  This is much better:

And has the added benefit of going with my very shabby chic nightie.  Even they look happier about this new addition to the wardrobe.

I like the loose, relaxed fit as I really don't want to struggle to put these on when I am waking up.  One foot in quickly, then the other, and that's that.  Easy.

And the back doesn't really matter, it's going to be hidden, but as this is a sewing blog, I know you will want to see what they look like from the back as well.  Nice and long, cover the back of the foot a little bit.

I think I cut the wrong length with these, but I decided that was a good idea - the extra length allowed a nice deep hem, and a few slouchy wrinkles flopping around the ankles to keep the breezes out.

Nice deep hems which look quite sporty in real life.

I also put a ribbon loop at the back of the pants so that I could quickly feel which was the front and which was the back without much light to see which way is which:

A nice tactile back finder!

These are far from perfect, but more than adequate for the job.  And really, really comfortable.

And, it only took a few hours from beginning to end to make TWO PAIRS!!

So I'm rather happy with this result.  The mark in the photo above is just water - I was giving the PJ pants a quick press before posting, and the iron 'blobbed' water in this spot :).

The only thing I don't like is the leftovers:

Yes, I know they must have it in factories too - we know all about the RTW that gets thrown out each year, but there is also the wastage.  I usually try and eke something else out of waste, but the shapes of this waste would not allow this - I know, cos I pulled out a few patterns to see whether I could do something with it.  

It was also the wrong shape to put into the basket of bit for making undies one day.  

That's my sewing this week - I can start making plans again now I have these out of the way:)

Wishing you all the best for the week to come...

Sarah Liz