P.J. Pants Party

My first real exposure to sewing came in 4-H. I remember going to the teacher's home once a week for a few weeks to complete a pillow. It was just a 9-patch block, but I was so proud. We entered it in the fair and I received a blue ribbon. Hm, I wonder what ever happened to that pillow.

A few years later, I watched Dirty Dancing and fell in love with Jennifer Grey, a.k.a. "Baby." I wanted a dress that would spin and twirl just like hers in the final dance sequence. My mother took on the challenge and sewed me a beautiful purple skirt. I adored that skirt. And yet, I have no idea what became of it, either. I can only imagine that I wore it out because I know it was hard to convince me that it needed to come off to be washed!

In high school, I returned to my pillow roots and, with the help of my mother, took two cross-stitch pieces (one made by her, the other, my very first cross-stitch) and sewed them into ruffled pillows. They are memory laden and a staple fixture of my bedroom.

My interest in sewing really bloomed when I was pregnant with my second child. I had attempted to make my daughter a play quilt, but something just wasn't quite right. (For the record, though the quilt wouldn't have won any ribbons from anyone, it was much loved and served as the nap blanket for both of my children during their kindergarten years. So, I guess it couldn't have been all bad.) Nevertheless, I knew that I wanted  to make more blankets and was determined that I learn a thing or two about sewing before trying again.

So, I took a sewing class. I made a sampler quilt top. It is gorgeous. I can't show it, though, because I still have yet to complete the quilting and binding. I've made oodles of projects since, but have never managed to get back to that one. I wonder what the great thinkers would make of this. Anyhow, I did manage to finish a quilt for my second child before his arrival.

The quilt I chose for Connor was nothing especially difficult, but it was the first start-to-finish project I made, creating my own pattern (obviously simple) and diving right into free motion quilting. This, I have not lost track of; my son still uses it on a regular basis. And, my daughter has one to match, in girly colors, of course.

What I have never had interest in is sewing clothing. Which leads me to wonder how I ended up making p.j. pants for myself and children. Well, it all started with a group sewing project to make sample p.j. pants for a themed event at the quilt store. Having succeeded in a pair for myself, though recognizing that there was significant room for improvement, I decided to try again.

Gracie's Pants

 

And because my kids are goofy, here she is having some fun.

Connor, too!

Not to be outdone....

And though Mom could still get in on all the silliness, I would hate to distract from my cutie-pa-tooties, and let's face it, if I got all crazy, my big o' butt would steal the show. So, just a glimpse of my pants.

I thought for sure that this would be the end of clothing for me. However, it's been about a month since I made these and I am itching to find a pattern for some winter nighties for Gracie. Perhaps even a skirt that twirls, too.  :)  Who would've thunk?!