Making Jammy Pants

I got to work on a little project for my husband this past week.  Every year I make or buy new pajamas for my kiddos to open on Christmas Eve and this year my husband made a comment that he would like some, too.  So I pulled out my trusty machine and got to work!

Pajama pants are super simple to make!  I didn't even use a pattern, just laid some pants in his size down on the fabric and cut.  If you try this at home, just make sure you fold the pants in half along the waist with the inseams on one side and the side seams along the other.

Your fabric comes folded.  Just fold it again the long way so the fold runs the longest way (in school we called it "hot dog" style not "hamburger") and lay the side seam of your folded pants along the fold.  There will be 4 layers of fabric to cut plus the old pants on top.

Now be brave and cut about half an inch away from the edge of the pants, along the inseam.  Cut 1 inch away from the bottom cuff and 1 1/2 inches from the waist edge at the top.  This will allow for a casing for the elastic and a new cuff at the bottom.

Now for the fun part!  Take the fabric pieces you just cut and separate them.  With one in hand, fold it in so that the right side of the fabric touches.  Pin and sew along the inseam, or shorter edge, with a 1/2 inch seam allowance.  Now do the other side.

To put the two legs together, flip one out so that the right side is out and put it inside the other leg, right sides of fabric together, matching up the waist and inseams.  Pin and sew along that curvy part that is like a "U", starting at the waist on one side, down and up to the waist on the other side.  Sew with a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

Pull that leg out of the other and, voila!  You have pants!  To finish, serge all seams and around the bottoms of the legs and the waistline.  Or, if you don't have a serger, fold down the waist 1/4 inch to the inside and press.  Fold again, 1 1/4 inch and press (if you used a serger, continue with this step).  This is your casing for the elastic.  Starting at the back, center, sew on the inside along the fold, backstitching as you start and stop, stopping a couple inches from where you started.

Measure waist.  Cut elastic 1/2 inch longer than what you measured.  Put a safety pin on the end and thread it through the casing you just made at the top of the pants, making sure not to lose the other end inside the casing (not that I've ever done that before, wink wink!)

Make sure the elastic is straight, try it on, then overlap the ends of the elastic 1/2 inch and zig zag stitch them together, going over it a couple times.  Then straight stitch the opening in the casing closed.  You may need to stretch out the elastic a bit to get it just right.

To finish, fold the cuffs 1/4 inch to the inside and press.  Fold again, 3/4 inch this time, and hem around the cuff, close to the fold.  Repeat for the 2nd cuff and you're done!  You made some pants without the help of a pattern, good job!

And here's how mine turned out.  They're even doing a happy dance, too!

Local "Spirit of Christmas" Craft Fair

I got a booth at our local craft fair recently and brought several dozen items to sell....my dresses, skirts, tiny dolls in tins, hand warmers, toy pouches, hoop embroidery, and more!

It was a good learning experience and I'm already planning for next year.  Hopefully I can get some things made before November and avoid the big stress-out my family had to endure this year, eek!

It's just a work in progress, but I'm really enjoying the ride.  And buying lots more cute fabric with the money I made at the fair...hee hee!

First dress!!!

Yay!  I finally listed my first dress in the shop.  I don't know why it was so difficult for me.  But I've been putting it off nearly as much as taking the pictures, ha!  I must think my world is going to change drastically as soon as I open.  So far I'm still me...

Anyway, without further adieu, here's my fave with the cutest little flowers and polka dots, sparkle buttons and, did I mention gingham?  Ah, it's candy for the eyes, I say.

 The bottom ruffle and flutter sleeve...

And here's a little sneak peek of what I'm listing next:

Don't most girls love princesses and unicorns?!!  My girls LOVE this dress!

Beginnings

I don't know why I do this, and I'm sure I'm the only one (ha!)....  Have you ever had big, grand ideas and started putting them in motion, then realized, "What have I done?!!"

A couple months ago we moved out of state, away from our home in the suburbs, and bought a patch of farmland.  My husband was desperately trying to think of ways to use that land and I naturally thought of my goat's milk soap and his raising goats.  For now we don't have any goats we're milking, so I thought twice about making that work right now.  Until then, what could I do?

Well, I love sewing.  So much so that I have often been sewing and midnight has just snuck up on me, it's so addicting!  Why not use that skill?

And I remembered these cute little dresses I designed and made for my daughters that have gotten many compliments and questions.  Here the idea for my shop began.

Fast forward a month and I'm talking with a new friend at church and she mentioned the need for a preschool in our small town.  I knew I wanted to keep my own kids at home as long as possible, so I mulled over the idea of having other kids involved in our preschool.  A week before school started I still was debating it, so I asked my husband what he thought.  When he heard I would only do it 4 hours a week, it was a no-brainer for him and the lightbulb came on for me, too.  I decided to take the plunge!  By the time I started teaching preschool, I had 6 students without any effort on my part at all.  Then 2 more contacted me after we started, and I had to let people know I wouldn't be able to take any more than 8 in my small home.

This is my crazy life, full of children, starting a craft business, and teaching preschool from my home. It's been a rough couple months, but I'm glad I started down the path I did this summer.  I've had many second thoughts, but as time has gone by I'm really happy with all that life has given me.   Even when I dream bigger than I can manage sometimes!