Photographs:
front view
side view
joining elastic
elasticized waist using sports elastic
Sports elastic is a specialty elastic used in athletic wear. It has 4 parallel rows of a stretchy mesh between the elastic portion and it allows you to sew on these rows without ruining the elasticity of the elastic portion. Sometimes you will see 2, 3, or even all 4 rows topstitched if you examine athletic wear at the store. It may have a drawstring inserted between the topstitched rows. Sometimes the drawstring ties to the outside, sometimes to the inside. Sometimes there is no drawstring.
Drawstring emerging from buttonhole. In these PJs, I topstitched the top 2 rows and the 4th or bottom row. I left Row 3 open and inserted the drawstring. You can also topstitch all 4 rows and still insert a drawstring, but it can be a tight squeeze working the drawstring through the channel.
Pattern Description:
Men's Pajama Pants and Shorts
DESIGNED FOR LIGHT AND MEDIUM WEIGHT WOVEN FABRICS
Suggested Fabrics: Cotton, cotton types, broadcloth, chambray, flannelette
Pattern Sizing:
S, M, L, XL, XXL
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes. However, as discussed in some other reviews, be careful when you are topstitching the fly because if you follow the instructions exactly you will sew the fly opening closed. I compared these instructions with newer Kwik Sew men's patterns with a fly and the instructions had been changed to make this topstitching step clearer.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
The pattern went together very easily. No dislikes. Luckily I was warned about the possible topstitching problem so I was aware of it. Also, I've sewn a few of these flies now and I think I wouldn't have fallen into the trap.
Fabric Used:
100 percent cotton from fabricmartfabrics.com. It has a very nice brushed side.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I used the shorten/lengthen lines to remove about 1 inch overall length in the PJ bottom.
I also added pockets from another Kwik Sew pattern.
I didn't overlap the elastic as the instructions show, but I always use a technique where the ends of the elastic butt together and I join them by stitching through a short length of fabric wrapped around them. I've included a photo above.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I would sew it again and I would recommend it. The previous reviewers were mostly enthusiastic about it.
Conclusion:
This pattern was first reviewed in September 2002, over 10 years ago. That reviewer sewed a pair of shorts without a drawstring for her son. She writes that she sewed them in 30 minutes, including cutting out the fabric. It took me a little over 4 hours, and that is not counting pattern prep and cutting the fabric. I might shave some time from that but I don't think I'll ever approach 30 minutes!
Be careful topstitching the fly so you don't sew it shut. Other than that, it goes together fairly easily.
The copyright date is 1993 so the pattern is 20 years old this year.
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Looks like they are a good fit for your DH.
2/19/13 12:48 PM
Very nice!! Does DH like them? They look to be a very nice fabric
2/19/13 1:10 PM
The fabric is a wonderful Ann Taylor cotton. I bought 10 yards at $1.99 per yard, but should have gotten more. It has a kind of brushed side. DH likes them okay, but he prefers the wilder prints I have sewn. I also have some alien fabric in the wings. That should suit him for its wildness and the extraterrestial beings.
2/19/13 1:18 PM
love these beautiful work :)
2/19/13 3:04 PM
Very nice! They look like great classic PJs!
2/23/13 11:00 AM