Butterick 4222 nightgown

A few weeks ago, Myra asked me to make her a nightgown. It was pretty random, as she's always worn PJs, but hey, I've got zebra print flannel... Let's Jungle on.

The pattern is Butterick 4222, which I have made in the boy version quite a few times for Logan. The long gown is quite a frilly affair, with a round yoke, which in the pattern is decorated with lace pretty much anywhere lace can be applied.

This fabric (cotton flannel from Joann) is already making quite a statement, so I elected to use black piping at the neckline and yoke, and omit the lace trim at the sleeves at hem. As you can see, the gown itself is quite voluminous, and is gathered into the yoke all around, giving the sleeves a nice puff and creating a nice swirly skirt. The size 4 is a little big (Myra was 4 in August.), but not so large that it is unwearable, just enough for growth room. The only dislike she has is that it is a bit difficult to get over her head when her hair is in ponytails, but she has a very large head and it's fine if her hair is down.

She loves it. I think she may be a nightgown convert...

Simplicity 2738 + Butterick 4222 = comfy PJs

My MIL came to visit a few weeks ago, and brought the kids some I spy bags she had made. Logan's was the coolest Thomas the Train flannel, and I asked here where she got it. She couldn't remember, but before she headed back to Florida, found some at Hobby Lobby for us. Logan was thrilled! My kids love fabric presents. They're well trained. He was even more excited when I unveiled the finished product!

I used the neckline from Simplicity 2738 with the width, length, sleeve and armscye of Butterick 4222. The bottoms are Simplicity 2290. I'm much happier with the fit and he says they are comfortable, so I think we have a winner, at least until he grows again.

He really likes the buttons.

Butterick 4222 & Simplicity 2290

This will be a quickie, since you've seen both of these patterns before.

Here's my GQ boy, modelling his new PJs. The top is his TNT, Butterick 4222, which is sadly now OOP. I've made them many times and very much like the pattern. The pants are Simplicity 2290. I've made them before here.

The fabric is flannel from JoAnn, which I bought so many years ago that I didn't quite have enough yardage. I shortened the pants a little (for fit as well), and instead of using the cut on facings, I cut separate front facings from white cotton. Of course, you can see the flash of white at the top of the collar, but we're just calling that a design detail.

Logan wanted to show you his favorite part - the buttons! Aren't those little trains cute? The one on top is blue - He's Thomas. The middle, red one is James and the bottom, grey one that Logan is pointing to is Spencer. You can also see inside the collar in this picture. I decided to break from tradition and try the bias bound collar on this top. Naturally, despite having just written about this method, I managed to flub it up. I ended up with the bias tape on the outside, rather than tucked into the facings. It works fine, it just isn't as pretty. Anyway, the method was definitely less fussy and I think I'll be using it for PJs from here on out. The handstitched method is pretty and I'll reserve it for blouses and such where I don't want any external stitching.

According to Logan, the best part of these PJs is that they have train tracks! See, right here!

Butterick 4222 - Stars!

Every time we pass the fabric department at our Walmart, Logan gently reminds me that he wants star jammies to match to pants that I made here.  I guess he finally nagged enough...

You can see how faded the pants are.  He wears them all the time.

The pattern is Butterick 4222, which I love.  It's such a great basic PJ pattern.

Logan selected both fabric and buttons, and I think they are a great match.  He really has quite the eye.

He was so pleased with his PJs that after I gave them to him, he danced around the living room, showing everyone his star buttons, and then curled up with them in our bed.  That's one happy kid!

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On a personal note, today is the day of the fellowship match, so at noon we should be finding out where we'll be going next year.  Yesterday I was quite placid about it.  We have good options, so I shouldn't have any reason to worry, but I'm sort of on pins and needles now!  I'll update this post when we get the word...

ETA: We got the official word and we will be going to Salt Lake City, to the program at University of Utah!  It is a really great program and we are really excited, although it will be really hard to leave Texas and all of the family and friends that we have here.  But I won't lie, it's about 900 degrees outside right now, so I'm really excited about some milder summers!!  We won't be leaving for another year, as the fellowship begins in 2011.

Butterick 4222 again

Before I start actual sewing on my jeans, I promised Logan I would make him some pants with a piece of flannel that he picked out of the remnant bin at Walmart.  I love that my kids know that random pieces of fabric can become clothes if they ask Mommy.  Sweet!  Anyway, there was only 3/4 of a yard, but that just perfectly got me Logan's TNT PJ pant, Butterick 4222.

I have no idea anymore how many times I have made these pants.  They are so easy.  One pattern piece.
Logan was itching to wear them as I was sewing them.  Once they were done, on the boy they went, so I don't have a flat picture.  Still, they are perfect for dancing...

climbing...

and just hanging around.

That's my boy.  Now I have jeans to sew!!!

Butterick 4222 - the golf version

Cozy jammies for the coming winter! Logan's PJ's are all finished. He chose the fabric, which made me laugh, since we are not golfers around here. He totally refused trains, cars and even monkeys in favor of the "ball" fabric.This is my third set of PJs from this pattern, and the sixth or seventh pair of pants. I like many things about it. Particularly, I love the simplicity of design and easy construction. The pattern instructions call for double stitched seams, which is my favorite method for "finishing" the seams of kids clothes in a firmly woven fabric. They are sturdy and if you trim close to the second line of stitching, you don't get any fraying. I really love the pants pattern, for the same reason I love the grown-up version (Butterick 6837) which is that the pant front and back are all one piece, so you only have two seams to sew. Makes for a super quick pair of pants!
I realized after I took the pictures that I put the pocket on the wrong side! Whoops! I guess it really doesn't matter, but it means that the front laps the wrong way, since I put the buttonholes on the pocket side.

Butterick 4222

I sometimes find it hard to find cute things to sew for Logan. It is so easy to think of fun, frilly things to create for Myra. I admit that I often sit up 'o nights contemplating the next dress or outfit. Poor Logan is a bit left out. As a result, he has a closet full of button up shirts and pajamas. I just finished a new set - this time out of cute Elmo flannel. This pattern is very similar to the shirt pattern (which is also a Butterick, so no surprise), so I'm not going to say a lot about that. Suffice it to say, I like it a lot and have used it many times. Here it is out of Curious George flannel.
Logan models his favorite jammies.

I have used the pant pattern so many times that the tissue is wearing out. This was a pre-soil separator paper pattern. Here are a few samples I've done of just the pant.
What I love about this pant pattern is that I can make a pair in less than an hour. They are SOOO simple, and would be great for a beginner, since you get good results fast. There is only one pattern piece, so no side seam to sew, and the waist is just cased elastic. Logan loves these pants too, and constantly requests them. They must be comfy!

As you can see, I try to get creative for my poor boy with trim and color blocking (OK, that was just because I didn't have enough blue fleece, but he loves them!), but it is definitely easier to go crazy sewing for girls!