I've never been much of a pajama set person before (my usual winter bedtime uniform this year has been a sweatshirt and Hudsons) - but I've officially become a convert! I totally want 5 more pairs of Carolyn Pajamas - so chic! So fancy! Plus... if I'm being honest - they still mix and match quite nicely with sweatshirts and Hudsons :D
These pajamas also make me feel like a rich old man smoking a cigar... in a good way! This is mostly due to fabric choice though... on to the details!
Pattern: Closet Case Carolyn Pajamas
Size: 12 (top) / 14 (bottom)
Modifications: Shortened waistband - see below
Fabric: Rayon challis from Angel Textiles, piping and buttons from Joann's
In keeping with her record of releasing patterns that seem to fill an indie pattern/my wardrobe gap (hello Ginger jeans!), Heather Lou released the Carolyn Pajamas pattern about a month ago, and I snatched it right up. I had no specific fabric in mind, but knew I wanted to use rayon - because rayon is the best fabric ever. On a trip to the garment district, I picked up 4 yards of this royal blue/orange/white/black paisley print - and I was lucky enough to snag some silk for my next pair.
For sizing, I match about a 12 in Closet Case Patterns, but I went with my hip measurement on the pants, which put me closer to a 14 (better to have a looser fit while sleeping). The top is a straight 12, but I may shorten the shoulder seams a bit on the next pair, as they seem slightly boxy. I love the feminine shape of the top (the pattern cuts in a lot at the waist which is great), and the pants are about as flattering as pajama pants can be.
I sewed everything up basically as instructed - and I have to say, I really think Heather Lou did a bang up job with this pattern. The instructions are really easy to follow, and her notched collar tutorial is a humongous help. Plus - it's two garments in one (or really 4 or even 6 depending how you look at it)!
This pattern uses facings to create the notched collar - something that I usually hate, but is absolutely necessary in this pattern. Heather Lou does eliminate the back facing, though - which is awesome. I also dislike using fusible interfacing, so I used some voile and a glue stick, ala Tasia from Sewaholic here. And to be real with you - I used an Elmer's disappearing purple washable glue stick, rather than a "fabric" glue stick. This worked out pretty well, but after washing - I did need to iron out the facings (they got quite wrinkly - this probably would've happened with fusible too). But, how incredibly posh to have to iron your pajamas! ;)
I elected to use store bought piping, rather than homemade, and I'll probably just keep doing that out of laziness on future pairs. Multiple people have mentioned using a piping foot to apply the piping, but I found that my edge stitching foot worked pretty well.
The only change I really made to this pattern was shorten the waistband because I only had 1" elastic on hand. Heather Lou has some other suggestions for waistbands here, but I don't mind the more narrow waistband. I will say I might've made the elastic a bit loose though...
My next plans are to make a silk short sleeve/shorts version for spring and summer, as well as potentially a knit pair (I have a ton of knit yardage from trips to the garment district). And I think it would be cool to try to make an actual shirt from this pattern (did anyone see the new Named pattern that looks pretty similar?).
