Sunday, July 12, 2009

From Bedclothes to Bed Clothes

Of all things, PAJAMAS have been one of my biggest temptations during my Wardrobe Refashion pledges. I think that's because my own nightgowns and pajamas are starting to look a little tired, and all the new PJs look so fresh and crisp in the stores. I've managed to resist temptation by sewing some new nightwear, but I wanted something new for the summer.

None of the current nightie patterns were quite what I wanted, so I was thrilled to find this vintage 1968 pattern at the thrift shop for fifty cents! It had been cut, but that was the era before multi-sized patterns, so it was okay.

I decided to make the knee-length version. Looks a little like Amy Butler's Anna tunic, doesn't it?




There were several fabrics in my stash that I considered for this project, but I finally settled on a blue and green floral sheet I'd thrifted a few months ago. It's all soft and broken in, so perfect for sleepwear. Other refashioners have used sheets for skirts, dresses, etc. I'm still worried that everyone will point and scream "SHEET!", so this was a good compromise for me!

In keeping with the thrifted theme, I rooted out some blue hem tape my mom had given me. Like how the price was written right on it? The outer layer was also kind of filthy, but there was enough clean tape under there to cut down into bias tape to finish the armholes.











What? You've never seen someone standing in the middle of the yard in their nightgown? Holding a pillow and having their picture taken?

Happens all the time around here.









As I was sewing this, I was struck by the "vintage-ness" of the directions. Things they would spell out nowadays must have been common knowledge back then. The directions also included a TON of hand sewing. Parts of it I did as instructed, other parts I whacked out on the machine.

I also tried the blind hem stitch on my machine for the first time. Let me tell you, that is pretty slick! I'm not sure I'm adept enough to use it on real clothes, yet, but it has potential!







In the back, they left this huge, huge opening. It didn't take me long to figure out I wasn't going to need it, so I sewed it up completely and just stitched the buttons on for show. I mean, really. No one's head is that big!

16 comments:

Trudy said...

That is an awesome nightie pattern. You are very clever to use the sheet. It is darling.

www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com

Nicola said...

i love it! very sweet! sheets are what make up almost my entire fabric stash. love them!
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

That nightie rocks! It looks like it's perfectly comfy and soft. :)

Rhonda said...

Lovely nightgown-the use of the sheet was the perfect idea. The pattern is really cute.
I have some thrifted sheets in my stash and pajamas and gowns would be the perfect way to use them.Great idea!!

Mama Kitty said...

Oh my goodness! I have this same pattern from a thrift store! Your nightgown turned out great. Now to hunt up a sheet. . .

Shelleyj said...

Love this!! I never can find cute thrift sheets.

Donna said...

I have had a sheet for about thirty years that I one day intend to use to make a robe. I have used old sheets to make rugs.

The neck had such a big opening so you could get it over a headful of huge rollers.

Lisa said...

Very nice! I just saw this pattern on Etsy (or maybe Ebay?) and was considering it. I was concerned that it would be uncomfortable to sleep in because of how the neckline/straps? are over your shoulders. Does it stay in place?

meredithp said...

Gee, I'm old. I think my mom made this for me as a gift in HS. Just what I wanted...not. Yours turned out really cute. If you make the long sleeved version, be careful of the elastic length. Not sure if it was the pattern, or mom just exacting revenge for something, but I could have lost the use of my hands due to lack of circulation :-)

dude said...

I love it!!!!

julie k said...

Totally cute! I'm working on some pj bottoms out of a thrifted sheet. Now you've got me thinking nightie instead!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Totally cute, and it doesn't look like an old sheet at all ;)

I am envious - why don't my local charity shops ever have gorgeous vintage bedlinen like that :(

Darling Petunia said...

Lisa: You asked about it slipping off my shoulders while I'm sleeping. That hasn't been a problem. I've found myself straightening it out once or twice while walking around, but it's fine in bed. I think you should give it a try!

Darling Petunia said...

Now that I've slept in it for a few nights, I want to report back and say that it IS very comfy and soft! And my husband thinks it's cute. :)

A Joyful Chaos said...

It is lovely! I really need to get my sewing machine out again.

Karin said...

It looks so comfy and soft. And now I totally imagine that head full of curlers above it :)