Carolyn Pajamas x 2

Hi guys! This fall, I sewed up two pairs of Carolyn Pajamas, one in flannel and one in rayon challis. The pattern is available here, from Closet Case Patterns. 

For the first pair, I used Kaufman Mammoth Flannel in the colorway Plaid Red/Black. It is such nice, thick, cozy fabric! It's easy to cut, easy to sew, and feels really nice to wear. It comes in a ton of different plaid combinations.

click the image above for an affiliate link to this fabric

Because I'm tall (5'10"), I added a couple inches to the shirt front and back, sleeves, and pant legs. But I ended up trimming off some of the pant legs and sleeves, and I could have left off some of the shirt length, too. Next time I will probably only add one inch to each piece.

I had already made pjs for both of my kids and for my husband from Mammoth Flannel, and I'm so happy to join them in wearing such soft, warm pajamas! I might be putting them on a little early in the evenings and staying in them extra late into the mornings, but who's counting?

The second pair is a whole different animal, made of silky, drapey rayon challis. 

This is Cotton + Steel fabric, designed by Rifle Paper Co., Les Fleurs Rayon Challis Birch Floral Enamel. Click the sample above for a direct link to buy (it's an affiliate link). It is really nice fabric. Everything from Cotton + Steel is great quality, and this is no exception. I've used this design in all three colorways! 

It's not too shifty, like some silky fabrics can be. I did have to use a silky trick for sewing the buttonholes, though. My machine was having trouble getting a grip on the fabric with the automatic buttonhole function, so I tore small pieces of tissue paper and placed it under the fabric for the feed dogs to grab. After sewing, I just tore off the tissue paper. That worked perfectly. 

I made both pairs of pajamas at the same time, so I lengthened and then trimmed this set the same amount as the flannel set. For both, I used View A, which is the simpler version, without any piping. Next time, maybe I will try adding the piping, but for sure I will add the cuffs on the sleeves and pant legs. I think that will look great. There is also a summer version with shorts and a short-sleeved shirt that I'd like to make. 

I'm loving having new pjs in fabric that I adore! I often sleep in yoga pants and t-shirts, or else some flannel pjs that I've been wearing for 10 years. These two pairs definitely feel like a step up!