Lakeside PJs, or as I like to call them . . . awesomeness in slumber.

A few weeks ago I finished my first pair of Lakeside PJs.  This was also my first Grainline Studio pattern.  Indeed.  I should tell you now, in all fairness and honesty, that I am totally converted!  I've been lusting after the Archer for awhile now . . . and well, I have {ahem} four fabrics screaming to be Archers.  Up on que: a wearable muslin.  But, on with PJs in the meantime.  Then on Instagram someone asked what I thought of these, and I'm late posting.  Sorry Bubala_jo.

Since I already told you I made them a few weeks ago, you know I am behind on blogging . . . but you should also know I kinda, accidentally forgot to prewash the fabric.  Soooooooooooo, that worked to my advantage and the PJs shrunk enough to be perfect.  I sewed the 14 and the 18, and next round I'll just make the top a 12 and the bottoms a 16.  When mine shrunk they went to a perfect fit.  I had sized up, as I was worried the patterns would be for skinny minis.  Yay.  I fit.  And . . . always prewash your fabric.  I got lucky this time.  Really lucky.

This pattern is so freakishly easy that a monkey with pose-able thumbs can master it.  Why? It is easy, but with fun details so it doesn't feel rudimentary. And note, that I did these right after coming back from the two week road trip.  I made a Briar I had cut out and then these.  I normally keep PJs for when I need a reboot, but these are good for reboots and instant pleasure and  . . . just for fun.  It probably takes about four to six hours, with making the bias tape, for these.  I did it over the course of a week (an hour or so a night).

The heartsy quilted cotton was on clearance when my Mom and I spent whole paycheck at Mary Jos a few weeks ago.  Isn't it too cute for words? FYI: I only had a yard and 3/4s.  Um, my waist band is sew in four pieces, as I didn't have enough (but you can't even tell!).  And I used like seven yards of bias tape.  Jen doesn't lie when she tells you how much you need!

Isn't that bias binding cute? It's leftover from a quilt I made.  And, I have a bias tape maker machine so life is awesome.  My Mom and Dad bought it for me. :D  And yes, I found a sliver of space to nest it in when not in use.  You still have to cut and sew the strips, and pull it out of the iron part, but there are no more steam burns and it goes sooooooooo much faster.

In all disclosure here, on two curves of the shorts and top my bias tape wasn't caught completely.  Rather than take out loads of stitches . . . I hand tacked it in place.  I used some variegated pink leftover in a bobbin (score a way to use the extra bobbin thread).  If this was a blouse, dress, or pair of slacks I would have been more anal about thread.  But, for PJs my pink matches the print, allows you to see the my quick fix, and  . . . it's PJs.  Yes, my lovelies, even the gal who makes her own wardrobe can be lazy.  

And, now, I give you the best part! The flower petal back of the cami.  How cute is that? How easy it that? How comfortable is that?\

Shorts.  I am dreaming of making some running shorts with this pattern.  In a stable knit, like a saturated grape purple with white trim or neon pink with white trim, would make some kicking shorts for all kinds of things.  Running, lounging on the couch, making you jealous that I have cooler shorts than you . . . 

Because this is me, and you want some fancy views . . . also, the previous photos: I tried various filters, but I was taking photos at night.  Note to self: photos take better in daylight.  But, oh wait, I already knew that.

And, no, I am not modelling my PJs any more than this.  Why? Because I reserve the right to refuse service. :) In case you are wondering, I would have these on right now if they weren't in the hamper.  I have a skull set planned and maybe one out of a shirt weight cotton.  ;)

(My bedroom walls are purple, by the way.  NOT pink.) So, now that I'm planning more pairs of these I am certain you tell the verdict is in.  Superb.  And, these are super easy.  If you get confused with the biased on the shorts, just give it a minute, or look on the blog.  I hear Grainline has great tutorials.  I didn't use them, but they are there!  Oooh, I bet you could lengthen these into pants for winter.  That would be adorable with the bias up the sides! Of  course you would have to get the length precise as the hem would be moot with the bias binding.

Oh, that quilt top:

My folks gave me a cake square for Christmas like four years ago.  Pink isn't my thing (I know, I know), but I played with it, cut it up, sewed it, and then finally pulled it from a box and got the whole top together this winter.  Quilts are not my favorite thing.  I convinced my Mom to quilt it for me, and I'm giving it to old friends who just had a baby girl.  Even better, I accidentally forgot to measure it and it covers the top of a full sized bed.  Yay, warmth for everyone!  It got done this week too!

For the record, I do like it.  For the record, again, quilting ain't cheap, quick, or easy.  I have a handful that I have made, and I do--on occasion--make one.  It just isn't a monthly thing for me.  ;)  Why? Well, you can't wear it!  Oh, and if you are wondering what a cake square is it's just coordinating fabric already cut in large squares.  You then still have to wash, cut, an arrange them.  I do a lazy design here, with triangles and strips of coordinating fabric I bought.  

Peaks, of what is coming.  Between course prep, first week insanity, book edits, article writing and edits, playing with my dog, making dinner, and amusing my husband I've made a few more pieces.  I'm in the Fall phase, or more precisely the this gal needs basics for work because, ya know, it ain't a great day unless she can cover herself and her handmade garment in dry erase marker, coffee, printer ink, and sweat.