Grainline Lakeside Pjs

This post is pretty picture heavy, sorry guys but on the rare occasions that I take pictures of myself that I don't hate I can't bear to throw them away! 

There are few things in life I like more than pjs. Give me a pair of pjs, a good book and a cuddly duvet and I'm the happiest pumpkin in the world! And I think this might be my favourite Pj pattern. This is the Grainline Lakeside Pj set and was given to me as an early wedding present last year by my lovely friend Jeanette.

This is my third version, so I think we can quite safely assume that I like it! My previous versions can be found here and here  .

Now strictly speaking I don't need any more pyjamas and by not need any more I mean I have two drawers full. BUT! This fabric came in a bundle Minerva crafts sent me to review for their blog and its not really my style for day wear [something Rikki said about looking like one of screech's shirts from saved by the bell cemented this!] And here at knitwits owls we operate a strict "no fabric left behind" policy so it was destined for pjs! Because well nobody really sees what you wear in bed do they? Well Rikki sees it but he once saw me in a backless hospital gown so ya know............................

Now I made a size 12 because that's the size that was already cut but I checked and I still measure at an 8. Which I think would be far too small and tight so bare that in mind if your making your own version!

As before I stayed pretty true to the pattern including the split back which I still love! And I used all that dammed bias binding again! This time I recycled a pillowcase to make bias binding and I think it worked nicely! The colour changes are because the pillowcase had flowers on! 

Construction wise they went together a lot easier than the first two times [practise makes perfect eh?] But I still stumbled on binding the side seam of the shorts. The instructions make as much sense to me as sugar free cake. Every time I feel like I'm just working an a wing and a prayer. But it was all alright in the end!

The pattern placement was a pain in the backside though. The fabric is a cotton printed with flowers and hearts by Rose and Hubble. BUT the flowers and the hearts are printed in both directions. In the end I just cut it out and decided to sack off any concept of pattern matching or placement. It didn't turn out too badly considering my wing and a prayer attitude. 

So yeah I huge success and I'm always glad to have a new pair of pjs to lounge about it!  

In other news! 

- I still have a cold... It sucks and I'm being a complete baby about it!

- I've been reading loads! Honestly I can't get enough of books at the minute! Luckily our local charity shop does four for £1 so its not an expensive habit! Although the man behind the till has told me I'm in danger of "becoming rather well read!"  [I might do a post on what I've read recently if anyone's interested?]

- I'm still chugging on with my jumper project! Luckily its being done in a chunky wool so its making fast progress! Which is lucky! With the weather getting so chilly all I want to do is wear it!

Much Love

Frankie 

x

Gingham Lakeside Grainline Pyjamas

I know I'm boring this is the second pair of Lakeside Grainline Pyjamas that I've made recently but I just loved the first pair so much and found then so satisfying to make I couldn't resist!

This time I used a very light cotton lawn that was given to me by a friend with this pattern. I love the warm colours of the gingham pattern its so unusual.

I used the same binding that I used for my first pair because I made too much. I don;t think it looks out of place and it saved me a lot of time [and swearing] in ironing out a whole new batch.

I made no changes and followed the instructions exactly. I still had trouble with the binding on the side seam of the shorts. I'm not quite sure what I was doing wrong but when I stopped sewing at 9.30pm to watch the GBSB final I was nearly in tears and when I decided to try and finish at 10.30pm It went on smoothly. 

No idea how that happened.

Pattern matching wise I did try, the side seams on the top aren't too bad but the shorts are a bit hit and miss. Apart from on the bum [you can see it a couple of pictures up, yes feel free to stop reading and go and have a quick gander at my bum, its okay we're all friends here]

I am pleased that I put the black stripe along the centre front though, I really debated over which colour should be at the front so I left it too my toddler. He said black and I know better than to argue with a four year old. [I highly recommend this deciding style to anyone with kids, it really takes the pressure off yourself]

The straps and everything went in wonderfully!

I turned down the speed on my machine for top stitching. That way I have to take my time and can't rush through. 

I think the problem with the pattern matching on the sides is that I flipped the pattern piece so now the colours are in the wrong order.

So in general I'm very pleased. The fabric is beautiful to wear to sleep in, its so light and cool.

The shorts are riding up a little but but I think its because I shortened the elastic a bit too much this time and they are trying to find a slightly smaller part of me to sit on, Its not uncomfortable it just means you get a saucy bit of bum cheek poking out in the morning.

It is a bit weird to see the whole ensemble in one print after making my first pair in two different fabrics. I wasn't sure I like it at first but its grown on me!

Ive also discovered that the top goes with these pj bottoms I made yonks ago! Which means hopefully they'll get some winter wear as well! Yes even in winter I can't abide wearing long sleeves in bed!

To be completely honest I've been wearing both of the pairs I made in constant rotation. Wash and a wear style!

In other news! the lovely Charlotte won the sewing bee! It was such a close call this year. I felt a bit gutted for Joyce who I'd been rooting for, after weeks of being told her stuff was a bit boring she went all out only to be told it looked like a costume. I did love Charlotte and Jades dresses though and I shed a lil tear hearing Charlotte talk about her relationship with her ex-husbands new wife, "she's such a big part of the children's lives" Isn't that a lovely way of looking at it? 

Much Love

Frankie 

xxx  

Lakeside Grainline Pyjamas, Christmas Style!

When I first started blogging I had to make a tough decision. As a person who hates having their picture taken would I put pictures of me up on my blog? Would I crop off my head? Would I just display them on a mannequin?

In the end I decided to photograph the things I make on me, mainly because I find it very frustrating when people post pictures of their makes on mannequins because everything looks good on a mannequin! [Major kudos to Jo at three stories high who posted pictures in a bra she made for the same reasons!]

So I took the plunge and took pictures of myself in my latest make a very short pair of Lakeside Pyjamas by Grainline Studios! [definitely worn nude pants and a strapless bra for these as well as tights because I'm not that brave!]

Right so details, the top is a loose fitting tank with a split back and bust darts and the shorts are elasticated at the waist and have sort of a 70's running short vibe!

I made a size 12, although I measured as a size 8. Yes I went up two sizes, after reading some blogs by people who had already made them I discovered that the shorts run a lil small, and as I have a lil bit of "ahem" junk in my trunk, I thought it was best to size up , and then I figured as I was making a toile maybe I should size up twice just to be safe.

And I'm really glad I did, the fit on top is good its loose enough to be comfy without the straps falling down and exposing bosom [anyone else have that? wake up in the morning to find both boobs have escaped you pj top? just me? okay then.......] 

And I'm really glad I sized up on the shorts, They are fairly loose on the waist and I took the elastic in by about 2 and a half inches but I'm really happy with them. I think the size 8 and 10 would have been a bit too snug and the last thing I want to be dealing with at 3am is a wedgie.

The pattern is deigned for light woven's, like lawn style cottons. But I used this Christmas fabric by the craft cotton company and it worked nicely. Although I didn't have enough of one fabric to make the full set so the top has a reindeer front and a snow flake back and the shorts have red reindeer print with a white reindeer waistband!

I don't mind the mismatched effect as its a toile but I do have some really lovely gingham cotton lawn to make my next set in! [courtesy of my friend who sent me both this pattern and the fabric as an early wedding present!]  

I actually put off making this pattern because it requires 7 YARDS! of bias binding. And I hate bias binding! But surprisingly I found this quite therapeutic and the instructions are really clear so that made it easier.

On some of the pictures below you can see how the bias binding hides all of the raw edges and gives a really pro finish. Although I got a bit confused when it came to binding the edge of the shorts but I think I know what I need to do next time for a really great finish.

This is the back split which might be my favourite part! It gives a really comfortable fit which I love and its nice to have a lil bit of sexy in the back especially seen as the rest is so loose. 

I also wondered if you could hack the pattern so the wrap over back was at the front and then you might have yourself a nice lil top for breast feeding.

Im starting to dream of a pair of these and a light silky material now! Very 1950s hollywood!

I had a hard time posing for these, hence all the props! oooh harry potter! perfect bedtime reading!

Here's the bias binding straps, the pattern give you a measurement to ct but I think its worth trying them before you stitch them into your top. These were the right length for me but if you bust is slightly bigger you might find the armholes tight.

The instructions are really clear on all points so its definitely worth following them! I love how the binding finishes this! Even if you do need 7 yards of the stuff! It is worth making your own though because pre made bias binding can be quite stiff and you don't want to be uncomfortable at bedtime!

I read on a few blogs that people plan on making these shorts in a knit with minimal stretch for running. I won't be doing that...... I only run on three occasions

1- for fabric

2- for wine

3- away from zombies

Here's the elastic waist, I'm tempted to make a drawstring one on my next pair but then Id have to tie them and stuff and deal with the inevitable my draw strings come undo shorts drop to the floor and expose my bum and foof dilemma! So I might just stick to elastic!

Much Love

Frankie

xxx

P.s Definitely not saving these for Christmas!!!