I'm sewing up a whole batch of new lounge wear sets for sale in my NuMonday shop.
I thought I'd share some of the tricks and techniques I use to sew up this particular pattern including some of my time and money saving tips that I use when sewing projects to sell.
I you prefer to buy ready made these lounge wear sets are on sale in my NuMonday shop, click on the link here to take a look. I sell unique handmade cards and children's clothing that's designed to last.
If you're interested in how they're made and how you can make your very own sewing projects (it's really easy I promise!) scroll on down to find out how.
You'll need the following supplies:
Plus some lovely cotton Lycra jersey fabric. I get mine from Minerva Crafts.
I earn a small commission when products are purchased through the links I post here (at no additional cost to you).
I love this sewing pattern from Kwik Sew, it really lives up to it.s name.
Kwik Sew have made it really quick and easy to make comfy kids pyjamas. I've made so many that the pattern is starting to disintegrate.
Thread
Because I'm sewing up a batch of projects each in different fabrics, I've loaded my sewing machine with grey Moon Thread. It's the most versatile colour to use as it blends beautifully with the vast majority of patterned fabrics. This saves so much time when sewing as you don't have to change your thread and re-thread your needle between sewing projects.
Using just one thread colour also saves you money because you can buy your thread in bulk and get it at a huge discount. At Simply Crafting we sell 1000 yard spools of Moon Thread in boxes of 10 spools. I use these on my sewing machine as well as for hand sewing.
Another time and money saving tip I use is to load your overlocker with four different thread colours. If I'm sewing pastels I use Cream, Light Pink, Light Blue and Light Sage.
For dark and bright fabrics I use Brown, Wine, Navy and Bottle Green.
The colours merge together into a muddy mess that blends in with most fabrics so you don't need to change your overlocker threads between projects.
Whoop Whoop!!!
I honestly hardly ever have to change my overlocker threads and as that's my least favourite sewing task that makes me soooo happy!!
Batch Sewing
Not having to change the threads in your sewing machine makes it possible to batch sew. Think about it, you probably spend half your sewing time reading the pattern, gathering your supplies and moving between one "station" and another. This time is just the same weather you're making one project or 10. So batch sewing can easily save you 45% of your sewing time. This is essential if you're sewing projects to sell.
I've cut out four sets of lounge wear in four different fabrics all ready to sew up.
Seams
It's easy to get the back and front of pants mixed up. A little trick I use is to pin my garment label to the centre back before I start sewing.
I double stitch all my seams, first with a conventional sewing machine, then with an overlocker.
Most of sewing projects are for children so I think it's really important that they stand up to rough and tumble play.
Finishing the seams with an overlocker also means that they're all nicely enclosed which gives a really professional finish.
In order to maximise the comfort of the clothing I sew I generally try to position the garment label half way down the back seam instead of at the centre back. This means that the label sits on the wearer's underwear instead of irritating the delicate skin at the base of their spine.
Cuffs
I use a straight stitch on my cuffs and bands. I really helps them to lie much flatter thereby reducing the bulk in the cuff.
I also press them open before folding the band in half, this reduces the bulk even further.
The cuffs can still be bulky. Instead of distorting and compressing the fabric with pins I use sewing clips.
Not such an issue with adult's clothing but children's tiny cuffs are really difficult to sew as they don't fit over the arm of the sewing machine. Sew them from the inside instead and the seam is much easier to access.
Side Seams
I love the way the sleeve and side seam are sewn in one continuous seam. It makes it really easy to set the sleeves in perfectly, and it leaves a really neat finish on the underarm.
Waistband
This is my favourite technique for sewing elasticated waistbands. I join the two ends of the elastic with a zig zag stitch, reversing and re-stitching several times to make sure it's good and secure.
I used to eyeball my elastic casing but an uneven edge can make it very difficult to sew catch it consistently when sewing in place from the front. Now I ALWAYS take the time to measure it accurately.
I like to use a twin needle for hems and waistbands as it gives a really professional looking finish.
I insert the elastic and then sew the elastic casing. It is more fiddly to stitch than using a bodkin but it results in a much neater finish and no sewing up the hole - yay!
I you prefer to buy ready made these lounge wear sets are on sale in my NuMonday shop, click on the link here to take a look. I sell unique handmade cards and children's clothing that's designed to last.
If you're interested in how they're made and how you can make your very own sewing projects (it's really easy I promise!) scroll on down to find out how.
You'll need the following supplies:
Plus some lovely cotton Lycra jersey fabric. I get mine from Minerva Crafts.
I earn a small commission when products are purchased through the links I post here (at no additional cost to you).
Linking up to:
Please feel free to use my handmade clothes to inspire your own creations, pin it to your Pinterest for later.
Here are some of my other designs:
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