OOP Simplicity 2317: DIY Piped Cotton Summer Pyjamas

Simplicity 2317: DIY Summer Pyjamas

Hi There Friends!

I was in need of some lightweight, comfortable pyjamas suitable to wear during the hot humid nights in India (where were are currently on holiday), that were also modest enough to wear to lounge around in.

I had Simplicity 2317 in my stash and, having found some reasonably priced cotton/ cotton lawn, I set about making them up. The review below is only for the top half of Simplicity 2317; the bottoms are made using Simplicity 2823, which I have previously sewn and blogged about here. The only modification I made to the bottoms this time round was that I lengthened them by 1 inch and narrowed the legs by 4 inches in total (removing 1 inch from the inner and outer seams, both front and back).

Let’s call the first version (the blue floral version) a wearable muslin…

Simplicity 2317: DIY Summer Pyjamas

This version is made using a lightweight, soft cotton lawn. For both versions I made my own bias binding. For this version I had the (not) brilliant idea of using flat piping. Why did no one tell me that it is the hardest thing in the world to get flat piping inserted evenly?! Despite careful measuring, pinning, basting etc, the piping is not even. I am not even going to show you close up shots. Trust me. These PJs are perfectly wearable, but not my most professional work.

Another thing which made getting this piping inserted nicely very difficult was the sharp corners at the collar points and the facings. I rounded these corners off on version two…

Here’s the back view of this first version. I shortened the length by a further 1.5 inches on version 2.

Simplicity 2317: DIY Summer Pyjamas

On to version two, made in a cotton. I prefer the look of this version, but the feel of the cotton lawn of version one. So something to bear in mind if I make these up again.

Simplicity 2317: DIY Summer Pyjamas

This time round I made a corded piping. And as mentioned above, rounded off the corners at the collars and facings. Ah, so much nicer. I know this next picture looks like a jumbled mess, but hope you can see the piping is way, way better. I also added a bow to the front of each PJ bottom to differentiate the front from the back.

Simplicity 2317: DIY Summer Pyjamas – piping and front bow close up

I notice the top button does look like it is straining a little on this version…but IRL I wouldn’t wear these with a bra and so I don’t think I would have that problem 🙂 They don’t feel tight anyway.

Simplicity 2317: DIY Summer Pyjamas

Pattern Review

Pattern Description:

Misses’ & Men’s pajamas, nightshirt, knit top, and misses’ knit shorts and tank top sewing pattern. I made the Pyjama top using view D. The bottoms are sewn using Simplicity 2823.

Pattern Sizing:

8 – 18/ XS – XL

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes, although my version has short sleeves.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yes. Very.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

With the modifications I made I like them. I can see these possibly becoming a TNT pyjama pattern for me. I dislike the fact that the sharp collars makes getting the piping on nicely very hard. I rounded the corners off on my second version.

Fabric Used:

Cotton lawn for version 1; cotton for version 2. I made my own flat piping for version 1 and my own corded piping for  version 2.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

These are a classic collared pyjama pattern. They have approximately 8 inches of ease, so pick your size accordingly! I sized down. I initially shortened the length by 2.5 inches, but on my second version shortened the length by a further 1.5 inches. I cut 12 inches off the length of the sleeves and halved the width of the sleeve bands. I rounded off the corners on the collar and facings to make the piping insertion easier. I added a bow to the front of the bottoms to differentiate front from back.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Yes, I may sew these again. I would like to make them up in silk. Meh. I don’t know if I would. There seems to be so many pyjama patterns out there. I like them now….with my modifications. However, they are good value for money if you want to sew the other items included.

Conclusion:

I am pleased I took the time to make these. Now I am fairly happy with the fit I can see more of these in my future….

Simplicity 2317: DIY Summer Pyjamas

Until soon!

Advertisement