Lakeside PJ’s
Lakeside Pajama’s in their natural creased state
Pattern: Lakeside Pajamas by Grainline Studio
Pattern Size: 4
My Measurements: Bust 85cm; Waist 71cm; Hips 83cm
Pattern Adjustments: None
Fabric: Lightweight cotton from the Fabric Store
Machines: Innov-is A16 (Brother) and 3034D Lock Overlocker (Brother)
Iron: Silver Star ES-94AII gravity feed
The Lakeside Pajamas by Grainline Studio are an advanced beginner pattern, a quick sew and have an interesting and flattering shape. The top has a beautiful split back, which drapes really nice and doesn’t pull apart while sleeping. The shorts have a subtle sports like shape that my rowers legs can fit into them without any adjustments (hallelujah). I cut a size 4 based on my measurements, and as always checking with the finished measurements for pattern ease.
The fabric chosen is a lightweight cotton with a subtle print from the Fabric Store. I have had this fabric for at least 9 years, with PJ’s always in mind. The fabric is not entirely opaque (not the end of the world), and is light enough for hot Canterbury summers (late 20 degree nights), but does crease, oh does it crease.
I decided to sew this garment on one of the sewing school machines to familiarise myself with it’s inner workings. The Innov-is A16 are lovely machines to use, easy to trouble shoot, have a top feed bobbin and the standard tension settings worked well with the light weight cotton. I used a 70NM microtex needle due to the nature of the material; the weave was compact and with a not opaque structure, minimising any residual holes created from a universal needle was desired. All seams that did not require additional finishing were finished with my overlocker (3034D Lock).
Top front view, top back view and shorts front view
The garment is finished with bias binding seams and straps. I opted to make my own bias binding to match the subtle pattern and also weight of the fabric. There is close to 7m of bias binding within this set, and I must admit I felt as tho I spent more time at the iron making binding than I did sewing the garment together. I used my gravity feed iron for a change, a change which will now become the norm. The gravity feed produces a better press, has more stable heat output and is just an amazing tool all around (I cannot imagine using a standard home iron again).
The set took less than and hour to sew together, but at least an hour binding the seams plus bias binding making time. I am small busted and as such when I sew this garment again I will likely reduce the strap length by 1-2cm as they do fall down while sleeping.
I could not recommend this pattern more, the instructions are well written, each step is well thought out and placed and although an advanced beginner pattern (most likely due to the bias binding application) I believe any beginner sewer could attempt this with some patience. It is an extremely satisfying sew and the small details such as split back and shaped legs produce beautiful elements with no advanced sewing skills required. I will definitely be making more Lakeside Pajama’s in the future.
