The Best Secret Pyjama Patterns

The Best Secret Pyjama Patterns

Today I'm going to talk to you about a favourite of mine: secret pyjamas! It's been a while since I've blogged as I've been splitting my work time between sewing, shop planning and making the website work better, which means it has been slow progress for my sewing. Hopefully all the effort of updating every fabric I have with new images, inspiration and 10cm measures for sale will have been worth it. While I've been unusually unproductive at the sewing machine, I have at least been comfortable thanks to some super-comfy home sews!

So, what is a "secret pyjama" item?

Basically, its anything that is so comfortable to wear that it could easily be PJs rather than day time clothing. There's a few out there, in particular most of the items in Tilly and the Buttons Stretch! book. I'm a particular fan of the Frankie t-shirt layered over a Cleo dunagree dress or under a Stella Hoodie. So much so that I have 3 Frankies and 2 Stellas already...

Frankie

Frankie is a raglan tee that has a short and long sleeved version in the book. I've basically lived in short sleeved Frankies and Ogden Camis all summer and I'm already on with making the long sleeved version for autumn layering. Frankie is great made up in the AGF knits like Striped Apart Sky which means I've got to be careful not to use all my stock!

Tilly and the Buttons Frankie Tee and Cleo Dungaree Dress

Stella

Stella is a hoodie with a shaped waist and drawstring hood. I've made a couple of versions for myself in sweater knit and french terry and I'm planning a thinner fabric version with thumb holes for running in.

Tilly and the Buttons Stella Hoodie

I even made the hubby an adapted version of the Stella, which I'm going to write a separate post about since its already inspired a few other people to make a men's version. He wasn't well recently (terrible case of the near fatal man flu) and he lived in his Stella hoodie whilst he was feeling sorry for himself.

Tilly and the Buttons Stella Hoodie

Hudson

My next secret PJs item is the Hudson Pant by True Bias. I've made 2 versions of this already, one you can see in this blog post and here is the other:

True Bias Hudson Pant

Although the pattern calls for 40% stretch, I've made one with a lot less and graded up a size and another with a lot more and graded down. It works both ways and is super comfy! Women's sweatpants usually look like cropped ones on my long legs, so its an added bonus that by sewing my own I finally have ones that I can leave the house in (if I can be bothered to since I'm so ridiculously comfortable). They are the perfect "lounging around once the kids are in bed" pants.

Coco

Tilly and the Buttons Coco is the next on my list as it is another pattern that is comfortable in most knit fabrics. I've a ponte version, a single jersey one and a french terry at the minute. The thicker ones are great with tights and boots in autumn or spring. The lighter versions are great with sandals and bare legs on cooler summer days. My kids are still embarrassed by my rainbow version, especially when I do the school run in it, so obviously I'm trying to find something even less grown up!

Tilly and the Buttons Coco

Avery

My last recommendation are the Avery Leggings by Helen's Closet. I've 3 pairs of these as well and I may yet make some plain coloured ones to wear with boots this autumn. Along with some plain jersey ones, I've made the high-waisted version in black dance wear nylon spandex which is great for controlling the mummy tum when I'm running. I also made the regular waist band version in a crazy coloured technical fabric which I blind my PT with every week. They're so comfortable and never fall down even when I'm being made to do endless burpees (ok, 5 to 10 but I REALLY hate burpees).

Helen's Closet Avery LeggingsHelen's Closet Avery Leggings

So, what are your go-to secret PJs?