Hi, this is my first post on my new WordPress blog!! I used to be on Blogger, remember me?

I actually have a finished sewing project to share, finally! It’s all a bit exciting around here, I tell ya. I woke up this morning ready to photograph my pajama bottoms…and then the camera battery needed to be charged.

• Pattern: Kwik Sew 3602, size XS
• Fabric: 1 1/2 yards of plaid flannel cotton from Sew L.A.
• Extras: Elastic waistband and red ribbon waist ties
• Paired with: Renfrew Top from Sewaholic Patterns
• What I’m reading: Karen asked us to share our current read. Mine is Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig. Makes for good reading on the subway :)

These were made as part of Karen’s “Pyjama Party Sew-Along”! This is officially the first sew-along I’ve finished on time, but there’s a catch. Both of these pj’s are UFOs. Oh well, what matters is they’re done! The first pair I’m sharing is made of fabric I bought at the end of 2009. It was the end of the bolt so there was only 1 1/2 yards left, but the pattern calls for more than that. I made it work! I really wanted a pair of plaid pajamas so there you have it.

In 2009, I took a beginner class at Sew L.A. called “Pajamarama” with this pattern – the first garment I ever completed! I remember everyone in class was thrilled that we all had something we could actually wear. Ah, the memories. I still have that pair of pj’s, a bunch of sleeping owls on a navy background. The pattern calls for an elastic waist, and the only problem with that for me is I never know which side is the front when I put them on. I’ve since made pairs with waist ties, but I found that it’s pretty annoying to have to untie them and for them to instantly lose their shape once you do that.

So what’s the solution? Put in elastic and a waist tie! I put in 2 buttonholes in the front first and then folded the top of the pajamas to create the casing. From there, I inserted elastic through an opening at the back using a safety pin. I remember using a bodkin in class, but I find that bodkins are a pain! The elastic slips out too easily. I stitched the ends of the elastic together (just like Karen did), closed up the casing in back and then inserted the red ribbon through the buttonholes. Easy!

I started sewing this pair in 2010 and had all but these last few steps (plus hemming the legs) completed. We’ve had a very mild winter this year, but even now in late April it’s nice to have a pair of flannel pj’s to stay warm and cozy at the end of a long work day!

Karen’s sew-along also helped me FINALLY alter the pajamas I made for my sister as a Christmas present….Christmas 2009. I know, I know, I’m terrible. They were way too big, so in 2010 I took them in with pins. And then they sat there. And sat some more. Then they made their way in my move back to the Big Apple, and (eventually) enough was enough. I not only took them in, but I exchanged the waist tie for an elastic/waist tie combo. So much better! Isn’t the animal print cute? It’s from Kokka and I bought it at Sew L.A.

That’s about it! I desperately want to get back into sewing, but I find it hard to do. Mostly because I’m tired after a day of work and because I like to hang out with friends and such. I’m also a perfectionist. I just need to start going for it. I have a few dresses I’d like to make for the upcoming New York summer and some work events. I’ve got to get motivated – I haven’t bought anything at stores for awhile now and I’m getting so tired of what I’m wearing. I hope to blog more, as I miss being part of this great online sewing community. :)

Thank you, Dr. Karen, for starting me on the path to sewing recovery!