New Look 6638

Myra has been in need of new jammies for some time, as she's rapidly growing out of the Logan hand-me-downs.  I let her pick out some flannel at Hancock a few weeks ago.

She loves Ariel...  

The pattern is New Look 6638, which I have used before to make the short sleeved view.   We didn't completely love the way they worked out.  The gathered legs tended to ride up, and the short sleeves left her arms cold.  This time, I skipped the elastic at the ankles and made the longer sleeve.  Hopefully these will keep her nice and cozy.

She picked out these cute fishie buttons to go with the Little Mermaid fabric.  I think they are too adorable!  Since they are sew through buttons, I decided to match the thread to the button rather than use the garment thread.  I think this gives a more professional appearance (inasmuch as fishie buttons on Ariel PJs are professional).  What do you do when you have a contrasting button?  Do you match thread to the button or the garment?
Parting shot:

She's going to make the next pair!

New Look 6638

I spent all day sewing with my friend Starla yesterday.  It was so fun!!!  And I was able to finish Myra's new PJs in record (even for me) time.

Aaah!  Even I can't handle how cute she is!

Here are the PJs, which are also pretty darn cute, if I may say so.  I only had 1 1/2 yards of fabric and the pattern called for two, so I just barely scraped by with what I had, and had to change it up just a bit, although that wasn't just to conserve fabric.  I get more annoyed by Big 4 pattern instructions by the day...

The collar is trimmed with lace.  The pattern instructed you to assemble the collar, then stitch the lace underneath.  How stupid is that???  I inserted the lace between the under and upper collar.  A much nicer finish.  I also omitted the interfacing on the collar.  My flannel had plenty of body and the lace provided sufficient structure.  I do like the bias bound collar attachment, though.  I'll give Simplicity credit for that one.

The sleeves and pant legs call for casings made of bias strips, which is fussy and fiddly and annoying to do.  I zigzagged on clear elastic.  Much better!

In the fabric conservation area, I did have to alter the lower ruffle.  I almost had to omit it completely, which would have been too bad.  It's darn cute.  I did have to piece it and there wasn't enough width to do a double fold hem without making the ruffle a bit skimpy, so I overcast the lower edge rather than hem.  Not my favorite, but it  doesn't look too bad with this busy print.

Myra seems to like them!

for lounging...

playing...

and dancing!

Could she be any cuter???