So if you're in the mood for a little sewing this Easter holiday, I thought I'd do a quick review of some of my favourite children's PJ patterns. Hope it gets you inspired!
1. Oliver and S Bedtime Story PJs
This gorgeous pattern is one of the best. The elastic waist pants are super-easy to sew up, and I adore the kimono style top. I made numerous versions of this for Bradley when he was little, and certainly got my money's worth from the pattern! If you want something that looks great, and isn't too difficult, this would definitely be my pick.
The major change I made was to put in snaps instead of ties. Warning though - if your little one is ticklish, you may want to bring the fastenings down a little from the under-arms!!
I believe this pattern is now out of print (someone correct me if I'm wrong) ... although I have just seen that it is listed locally at Kelani Fabrics, so you may still be able to pick it up if you're lucky.
2. Night Owls Pajamas from Ottobre 2009
Another favourite style of PJ for Bradley is a raglan shirt and leggings - soft and cosy; and if you add cuffs to the arms and legs, you can stop them from riding up during the night.
This one is from Ottobre Magazine, which is great value as you get multiple patterns in each magazine, and they're all really versatile (but really, you could use any t-shirt and leggings pattern that you're comfortable with).
If you haven't used European sewing patterns before, you will need to be prepared for a few things. They're not necessarily difficult to make, however the patterns themselves have a few differences to what you might be used to - the sizing is based on height; the tracing takes a little concentration, as there's lots of lines on the page; and you also have to add your own seam allowance. However once you've done a couple, it doesn't take too long to get used to it.
There's also a lot of advice over on the Crafty Mamas forum if you ever get stuck, so please don't let these little quirks hold you back. You can buy back-copies of the Winter 2009 Ottobre from the Crafty Mamas online shop.
3. Farbenmix GuteNacht Pyjamas
I just bought the pattern last week, so this was the first time I'd made it, and it came together without any problems. The Farbenmix patterns are a staple in my stash - simple and stylish; and good value with a large range of sizes and variations.
Like Ottobre, you'll need to add your own seam allowance. Plus the patterns are in German (some of them are released in English, however I'm not sure if they'll have a translation for the PJs). But fear not - there are tutorials you can find online, and lots of people over at Crafty Mamas with experience if you need help.
If you try any of these, I'd love to hear how you go. Or if you have another great PJ pattern that you love, feel free to link up to it.
Have you seen something on the blog or Facebook page that you like?
Do you have a child that doesn't fit the standard sizing and needs something a little more customised?
Or are you just wanting something a little special that nobody else has?
Here's the deal:
- Prize is a custom order of a single item of children's clothing. We'll work together to come up with the perfect mix of style and fabric (using patterns and materials I already have in my stash); and I'll make a little something just for your child (sizing from newborn up to a size 7).
- To be in the running, you'll need to leave a comment telling me about a tradition from your childhood that you've continued with your own children (or are planning to). My favourite entry will be judged the winner.
- I'll need a valid email address to contact you, so please be sure to include that if your comment doesn't link to a blog.
- Competition closes at midnight, Wednesday 11th April 2012.
- Prize winner will be announced on Friday 13th April 2012, and will be announced here on the blog.
- Competition available to Australian residents only.
Any queries or problems with posting, you can contact me on info@moederkip.com.au
Let the fun begin!
Easter bunny used to always bring us a book and pj's as well as eggs. With my sons, easter bunny brings a book, and Gran provides the pj's. davisdanelle@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteOooh I love the Night Owls one!
ReplyDeleteEverytime we went on a family holiday my mum would give each of her daughters (3 of us) a bar of sandalwood soap. A special treat - much more exotic than our regular soap. Oh how we treasured that soap! To this day whenever I smell sandalwood it brings back magical memories of family holidays.
We call Easter, Yeaster because every year my sisters, Mum and I have a yeasty bake-off starting of course with Hot Cross Buns and lemon scented Dove rolls (http://stitcharooney.blogspot.com.au/2010/04/dough-dee-oh-dough.html). This year we also baked and ate cinna-buns, Danish marzipan scrolls and sour cherry and cream cheese scrolls.
ReplyDeleteMy fondest memory of Easter was eating my chocolate in bed next to my Dad <3
ReplyDeleteBut this year I also started a new tradition. Planting Magic Jelly Beans in the garden. This morning my son found lolly pops growing where we planted them yesterday! He was also super excited about the chocolate flavoured paw prints the Easter Bunny left just near the door :) Magical!
I am feeling entirely ripped off- I never got pj's when I was little, I have never heard of that tradition- I don't think my friends give pjs to their kids (I don't- but great idea- I wonder if it's a regional tradition??) Anyway, I haven't got any 'growing up traditions'...but one I have started over 11 years ago is to bake hot cross buns for my neighbours- it started with two (single) older neighbours, who both lived by themselves, this year I still have two single neighbours in 'my round' (one bloke is 93 and I found out accidently that he looks forward to them- note to self- do this more often)....10 dozen hot cross buns and an awful lot of dried fruit later...!
ReplyDeleteAwesome traditions - keep them coming! (oh, and all traditions are welcome - they don't have to be Easter).
ReplyDeleteTanya, if it makes you feel any better, I don't remember Easter winter PJs either. Probably because my childhood was divided between Queensland (too hot) and Canada (Springtime) :-)
We never did the PJ thing either, I've never heard it before, but I like it and might start it next year! Growing up we always went camping at Easter and loved it. That is where my DH and DD are now, I'm at home with our babies, next year we will all go. Here the Easter Bunny only brings a few eggs and a (loosely) easter/egg related gift like a book, egg cup or Easter craft kit.
ReplyDeleteMy Mum used to make us PJ's for easter every year. Being in QLD they were often of the summer variety and we were often camping. I have let Mum have this tradition as we have never had an Easter with them:( and chocolate melts in the post.
ReplyDeleteOur little Easter tradition here are our knitted/felted Easter bags. I knitted them in 2009 and the kids still love them.
When my Dad was alive, he never lived really close to us, and sending chocolate in the mail never ends happily. When we moved to Canberra from Qld, we could never get the candy eggs down here (a favourite of my husband and kids), so Dad always sent candy eggs to us. Now Dad is gone, my sister has taken over this tradition.
ReplyDeleteThis is not specifically a holiday tradition, but as it is to do with eggs, it seems relevant!
ReplyDeleteI grew up in a tiny household, just me and my mum. She was disabled for most of my childhood, after a car accident, so sometimes things were stretched: money, energy, time, food. But whenever she made me a boiled egg for breakfast, she would take a biro and draw a beautiful happy silly cartoony face on the egg, complete with hair on top. She never failed to draw that face, and I wouldn't have wanted to eat an egg without it. It was a nice reminder that mum was still Mum, still taking care of me and taking the time to do something frivolous, just to make me smile.
I now draw a face on my daughter's boiled egg every time (and my own!). It doesn't mean much more to her than a little giggle, but it gives me that same sense of security and happiness to do it for her as it did to receive a boiled egghead when I was little.
Now I come to think about it, it's a bit gross to give personality to something you're about to chop the top off, but I'm still going to keep doing it! :D
Thank you for running such a generous giveaway, too!
(eclectic@internode.on.net)
Great giveaway Nat. I'm sure we have traditions in my family but the other thing that is jumping to mind at the moment is something my husband does. Anyone who has lived in Melbourne of any length of time will remember the awful longford gas explosion back in the late nineties, a side effect of which was Melbourne was without enough gas for several weeks. We had gas hot water at the time so it was cold showers. Since that time hubby has finished his shower EVERY SINGLE DAY with a cold rinse to commemorate the 'great gas crisis'. Judging by the whoops and squeals some days are colder than others.
ReplyDelete