Carolyn Pajamas by Closet Core Patterns

I’ve had my eye on the Carolyn Pajamas by Closet Core Patterns for a while, but always opted to make clothes that I could wear outside, over sleepwear. During the winter lockdown, I decided it was finally time to try out this pattern and I’m so glad I did - these really are the most beautiful pyjamas. I bought the Printed White Cotton - Crackle Floral from Fabrics Galore. I originally wanted to use a Lady McElroy fabric, but given how many metres I would need to make the shirt and trousers, I decided I couldn’t justify the cost. When I stumbled upon this pretty floral fabric, I knew I had found a winner. It is a slightly heavier cotton than I had planned to use (I was looking at cotton lawn), but the heavy weight gives the pyjamas a beautiful luxurious feel.

I opted to make my own piping, which was surprisingly easy to do. I used sugar pink cotton poplin and 3mm polyester piping cord, both from Minerva. I could have used a slightly thinner cord, but I don’t notice its thickness when I’m wearing the pyjamas. To make the piping, I cut strips of the cotton on the bias, as I would to make bias binding and then placed the piping in the middle of the strips and stitched it in place using my zipper foot. I found constructing the piping to be easier than bias binding - it was less fiddly and easier to stitch in place.

The trousers were relatively quick and easy to make. If you don’t make the version with the piping and cuffs, it would be even faster. After making the trousers, I realised it’s faster to cut view A (the view without piping) and then cut the trouser leg/sleeve at the cuff line, attach the piping and then re-join. It doesn’t matter so much if you’re using a plain fabric, but it helps with matching patterned fabrics - and speeds up the process with the side seams. I used this method for the shirt and had no issues with the length.

The pattern suggests using a French seam, which I intended to do, but promptly forgot as I was sewing the trousers. I ended up with French seems on the shirt and standard zigzagged seams on the trousers but I’m the only one who will ever know so I’ll try not to let my perfectionism get the better of me! The trousers include a false fly, but I would happily go without this next time - I don’t feel it adds much aesthetically and it’s not visible when I’m wearing the shirt.

The collar on the Carolyn Pyjamas is surprisingly easy the construct - it’s possibly the nicest collar I’ve ever made. I think the rounded shape helps, as it saves having to try and get perfect points, but I really am happy with how this tuned out. The fit of the pyjamas is just right, I made the size 8 (similar to a UK 10) without needing to make any adjustments.

I’m loving these pyjamas and can’t wait to keep sleeping in luxury.