Monarch pajama pants

About two years ago I made rayon pajama pants for Aria. They’re still her favorite and look practically new. Well, I need a new pair of lightweight pajama pants! And, in fact, I’ve been looking for an excuse to use that monarch print by Rifle Paper Company.

Soon after we moved into our new home, this pretty fabric bundle arrived from the nice folks at Fenceline. I prewashed it and machined dried to induce shrinkage. Then it had to wait while my sewing room was assembled.

At last I’ve had the chance to dig in! I’m using a brand new copy of Closet Case Carolyn pajamas, available at The Confident Stitch. You see, I’ve made adult pajama pants a few times, but never had much luck with a pattern. They never fit right, even when I’m sewing for my slim teenage daughter. I know that The Confident Stitch is serious about garments and picky about their selection of clothing patterns, so I figured their choice of pajamas would be a win.

The pattern calls for piping, a faux zip fly and side slash pockets. I decided to keep it simple and use what I have on hand. I nixed the faux fly and pockets, and substituted the piping for this tango “seam binding” inherited from my mom. She probably bought it second hand in the 80’s, so it’s certainly been waiting long enough to for its moment to shine.

Hooray, pajama pants that totally fit! They make me feel pretty and have enough ease, even when sitting.

This particular rayon is woven as a lightweight lawn, so it feels akin to voile without being slippery. I wasn’t sure if it would feel constraining as pajama pants, but it really doesn’t. I’ll chalk that up to the pattern - I didn’t make any sizing adjustments, other than to take an inch or so off at the bottom to account for my height.

Mmmm, don't you love those butterflies? I think that tango color is perfectly delightful for contrast. I don’t mind at all that the trim is flat rather than rounded. So glad to put it to use at last!