Thursday, February 17, 2011

Infant Pajamas

More baby projects, sorry if this is the last thing you're interested in.  I only have about 4 weeks left in my pregnancy, and went through the baby things and decided this little girl will be wearing some boy gear for a while.  My husband questioned my decision, but I thought it doesn't matter if she's wearing puppy body suits to puke on, and I'll put a bow in her hair.  I just didn't see the point in investing in all new girl newborn clothes when we pretty much just stay at home the first few months.  Crappy mom?
But I did make her some new pajamas.  With my son, I just used the snap body suits, and this time around I wanted the sacks to make diaper changing easier in the middle of the night. 
Snaps are just annoying in the semi-dark when you're half awake.

My first two attempts I didn't really like.
I had a pattern from 1984 I bought at the thrift store for the baseball tee neckline.   It was alright, but the neck seemed really huge.
I tried making my own pattern with the onesie neckline.  I don't know how many times I try, I never get a snug neck, it's always super wide and huge. 
Both are made with old shirts, the purple was an acetate sweater that is really soft.

So I searched around and saw some at the store with cuffs on the wrists to become a mitten.  I liked that idea.
Then I decided rather than trying the onesie neck (since I stink at it), to create a criss-cross top to allow the head through, but stay snug around the neck.  That idea opened the opportunity to use a mix of stretchy knit for the neck, and flannel for the sack and sleeves.

I bought this "snug flannel" owl print from JoAnns for $2.50 a yard.  1.5 yards made 4 sacks. 
All the solid knits were uncycled old t-shirts, so each pajama sack cost me around $1.00.

I think my favorite feature is the little mitten cuff.

The back of the sleeve has the cuff sewn into each side seam (sleeves have to be 2 pieces for the cuffs, rather than 1 like ususal).  So to use the cuff, you just fold it forward around the hole for the hand, and it becomes a mitten. 

These can be worn up to six months old.
If you leave the cuffs unfolded, the sleeves are longer for a bigger baby.
You'll just have the cuffs on the back.


 


60 comments:

  1. these are awesome- i love the kimono neck and the little glovies. I've yet to make clothing items for my kids besides halloween costumes and i was thinking something like this for the new one would be a good start. I'd love to see the tutorial if you feel up to it :O)

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  2. Oh these are SO CUTE. I've been having second child/newborn guilt and feeling very unprepared to bring a new person into my home in 3 months, but these are just sooo cute, you might have just inspired me!!

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  3. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE a tutorial!! My second is due in about 6 weeks and I bought some robot flannel from Joann's when they had it all on sale, too. This would be so adorable!

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  4. These are wonderful, Jess. I had a boy then girl, and I was so grateful because you can "girlify" boy stuff...you can't the other way around. I'm so excited for your family to welcome Ellaria.

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  5. I don't have babies anymore, but when I did, the sack bottoms were awesome. Both of my boys wore them. Great for diaper changes.

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  6. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do a tutorial!! I have so many friends who are pregnant and I would love to know how to make these to give to them!! and then when we have baby number 2 I can make my own!!
    thanks Karli

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  7. Yes, tutorial please! These are adorable!

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  8. Wow, they look great. You did a wonderful job. I couldn't agree more with snaps in the middle of the night. All 4 of mine wore sacks.

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  9. Way way cute!! How clever are you?!

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  10. Yes to tutorial please, lots of baby showers coming up!
    thanks

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  11. I too am 4 weeks away! I am so ready to be done! I love your sleep saks! So cute!

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  12. I LOVE these and would love to be able to make some for my friend who has a baby shower coming up in a couple months! Definitely inspired that you used old shirts. Great idea! Please share the tutorial :)

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  13. Jessica, I would definately make these if I had the pattern, gonna have another grandbaby in June!

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  14. those are fantastic! love the owl fabric and newborn fold over sleevies. LOVE!

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  15. I would love to make this once my baby comes!

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  16. i would love a tutorial!! please?! :) we are having a boy this summer and sadly have mostly girl clothes and i would love to make some boy sleepers. adorable! thanks!!

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  17. awesome!!! I love the cross over neck!

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  18. I'd love a tutorial! These are so cute.

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  19. Those are really neat. You did a good job.

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  20. A tutorial would be awesome! These are so cute and practical.

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  21. The first thing I said to myself when I saw your picture as the beginning is that I hope their is a tutorial.. please please do one!!!!

    ashleewright07(at)gmail(dot)com

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  22. I am so excited for you to write a tutorial on this...Please... Please.....

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  23. The crossover top is adorable. When you are up to it I'd love a tutorial

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  24. LOVE IT!!! What a sweet baby gift this would be!
    Please share tutorial!

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  25. I agree with the above comments - I'd also love a tutorial, when you're feeling up to it. I would love to make some of these for myself and for shower gifts.

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  26. Those would make an AWESOME tut! Especially since our #5 is coming this summer!

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  27. I would LOVE a tutorial. I'm expecting #3 in August and have just discovered the joys of sewing. :D

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  28. Wow, these are JUST awesome!! Thnx so much for going to all the "trial" work. Have our 1st g'son coming in 3 weeks---these would be SO perfect. So my answer is a resounding, really LOUD YES PLEASE! Love, love all your creative work!

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  29. I confused people yesterday when I took my 4 month old out wearing a blue romper with yellow shorts (hand-me-downs from big brother!). It seemed crazy to me to buy more clothes that would only get worn a few times. The pink collection in larger sizes is growing though!

    Love the pattern, although it's too late for me to use. Maybe for gifts - there are babies popping out everywhere!

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  30. Love these and would love a tutorial!

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  31. I love those and would love a how to..I actually have the same owl material, I bought them out of it, there wasn't much left (3yds), so I took it all. I love it!!

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  32. Tute please! I'm interested in making something like this!

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  33. Jessica! I am not sure you remember me from high school but I found your blog. You are so talented. I love your projects!

    Megan (Shelley)

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  34. I just found your blog yesterday, and I would be so excited to make the sleep sacks with the little mitten cuffs! These are adorable! please share if you have the time :)

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  35. Love it its so cute! that would be a fun one to have...

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  36. These are super cute!!!! Id LOVE steps!! These are my FAV things for babies, but they are sooo expensive! ohhh...how cute! Great job :)

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  37. Love your little creations!! I made many many of these for my little ones (32 years ago!) out of flannel with a simple soft ribbon or cross grain tie in the back.
    The kimono style is so cute!!! Will have to give it a try. I sew for charity (not even a hint of grandbabies yet)and these would be perfect for new little ones at the women's shelter and the new teen moms in school.
    My 2 oldest are girls, the 3rd is a boy....blond hair, blue eyes...you got it he made the prettiest little girl baby dressed in pink sleepers..LOL That only happened once, if we went out he was dress like a little boy! But all the pink stuff got used for my forth child, 3rd girl!
    Looking forward to meeting your new little one!
    Jane
    eyesofyellow@yahoo.com

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  38. I'm not a mom, but these are super cute!

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  39. oh mine!! You are sooo talented. Everything you make is just so cute including these.
    Your little girl will look so cute.

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  40. How adorable!! I too would love a tutorial. These would make great baby gifts.

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  41. I would love a tutorial! My 4 are past this age, but they would make great shower gifts!

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  42. These are super cute!! I would totally sew up a few if you put up a tutorial!

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  43. My friend posted a link to this on my blog. These are super cute! I would love a tutorial/pattern.

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  44. Would die for a tutorial/pattern.

    I am pretty sure you are a genius.

    Just Another Day in Paradise

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  45. wow, YES I'm interested! I've used this pattern before:http://www.rookiemoms.com/convert-a-t-shirt-into-a-newborn-gown/
    But I LOVE the mittens and the kimono-style top!

    Is it just me or is knit fabric at the fabric store SO EXPENSIVE! I very rarely find nice soft t-shirts at Goodwill and the like, they are always those scratchy, not very stretchy cotton ones.

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  46. Please do a tutorial for these! They are adorable, I would love to make some.

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  47. Adorable!!! Everyone else wants a tutorial-- I am just thinking, maybe I'll have a baby girl and BEG you to make me some. (ha ha)

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  48. Yes! Please do a tutorial on this. I would love to feature it as a Homemade Baby Gift on my Baby Gift Ideas Site!

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  49. YES Please! These are SO cute! I'm having my 2nd in 7 weeks...I would love to make some of my own!

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  50. I would LOVE a tutorial and pattern! My SIL is 36 weeks and these would be perfect for her little girl!

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  51. How clever ! Love this idea!
    Thank you for sharing it with all of us.Be a great gift for baby showers.
    hugs

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  52. hey i loved your tute very easy to follow i just found the sleeves were too long.:( i hada 9.1 oz bub and i made them in advance lol. just thought i would let you know :)

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  53. I will be a granda, really want to make this but, where can I find the patterns?

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    Replies
    1. click "Tutorial here" at the bottom of the post or here's the link: http://www.running-w-scissors.com/2011/02/tutorial-baby-sleep-sack.html
      Thanks!

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