I miss my Grandpa--living clear across the country from my entire family, I don't get many opportunities to head back east to visit him. So while watching the episode of the Great British Sewing Bee where they made men's pajamas (which, incidentally has been removed from YouTube and now I can't watch
any of the episodes---waaaah!), I decided to sew up a pair for my Papa. The prospect was a little daunting, though, given that his wife (my Grandmother Lucille, who passed when I was 8) was an exceptional and prolific seamstress. I knew I was going to have a serious bar set for my work!
I used
Vogue pattern V8964 and my sweet Aunt Claire provided the sizing information. I made View D, with the only change to replace the hem pockets with a single chest pocket, giving the PJs a more traditional look. I love that the bottoms have a functional fly front (open, with a single, hidden button to close), elastic waist AND drawstring. I didn't take photos of the inside, but the seams are just finished with simple serging.
For the fabric, I spent some serious time on Mood, looking for a suitable color and pattern for my Grandfather and ended up with this
grey and blue striped shirting from Theory. It's just right for pajamas, nice and lightweight, but not see-through. He said the pajamas were really soft, so that made me happy!
My Grandfather graciously agreed to having his photo taken and posted ("If you think I look alright", he said), so here he is:
Doesn't he look seriously dapper? There were definitely some happy tears seeing my Papa, from almost 3000 miles away, in some jammies I made :)
That is so sweet :)
ReplyDeleteHe does look dapper indeed - lovely thought from you :)
ReplyDeleteSo sweet!! My paternal grandmother lived to be 100. When she was in her early 90's, and me early 20's, she got me a matching pajama pants set and herself a nightgown. They were purple with little flowers and pink silk ribbon around the collar. Very, old lady-ish and I loved them so much! I still have the pajama bottoms and have them tucked away in a drawer. She didn't make them, but they remind me of her and how we had matching pajamas for a time. Your grandfather is really dapper in his new pajamas. Those are fantastic.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny what sparks those memories! While I was making these, I spent a lot of time thinking of my grandfather :)
DeleteYou did a lovely job and your Grandfather looks very dapper indeed!
ReplyDeleteHow very sweet of you to make the pj's for your Papa.. And how wonderful of him to be photographed in them..He looks great, and you did a great job. I am a grandma and their is nothing like grandkids.. Know you made his day.. so nice
ReplyDeleteThank you, Judy! I have to say, though, I hope he really does like them and that he's not just saying so to be nice :)
DeleteAdorable! He looks so handsome and it was so sweet of you to make him some jammies!
ReplyDeleteaw this is so neat! i love that he posed for a photo, even. that had to give you a thrill. so special you made these for him - my grandparents are all gone but i wish i could sew them things! i'm sure he appreciates the heck out of it.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure he was cajoled by my aunt for the photo! He's my only remaining grandparent, and that kind of spurred me into action. I may be making a tie for Christmas :)
DeleteOh, how wonderful! He seriously does look alright and so do the PJs. They look a perfect fit. Jen
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely. Yay for grandpas on sewing blogs!!
ReplyDeleteI know, right? There should be more grandpas (and grandmas!) in handmade clothes!
DeleteSo awesome!!! He looks great!
ReplyDeleteIsn't he so cute??
DeleteSuch a sweet Papa you have...thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSo. Darn. Cute.
ReplyDeleteThis may just be the most awesome unselfish sewing I have ever seen! Adorable!
ReplyDeleteMaking something for a loved one is very pensive--while making a gift, I usually spend the sewing time thinking of the person, so it was nice to have all that time to think about my grandpa. I might have to make it an annual project :)
DeleteHey Nic, I just signed on to your blog and was looking for Dad's picture.
ReplyDeleteHe does look very dapper! He loves his new PJ's!! You did such beautiful work. I truly can't imagine how they could be any more nicely done. I know Gramma is smiling big time, knowing her gift for sewing was passed on. :-)
ps I'm sure Dad would LOOOVE a tie made by you for Christmas.! xoxoxo...Claire
Oh yay! I've got some fabric already picked out for his tie :) Love you!
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