Despite having made all sorts of grand plans to get lots of sewing done over the Christmas break, it didn’t really happen.
I think a mixture of tiredness after such a hectic couple of months really caught up with me and that combined with a nasty dose of coughs and colds in our house made the last two or three weeks a bit slow to say the least!
One item that I did manage to whip up though was a pair of Tilly and the Buttons Margot Pyjamas. These are a pyjama trouser pattern from Tilly’s first dressmaking book Love at First Stitch.
I have made several patterns from this book before, but never these pyjamas, and boy! am I going to make up for it from now on!
They are the simplest pattern to sew, only having two pattern pieces, so they are very quick to make and I am really really chuffed with how they have turned out. I absolutely love cosy pyjamas in the Winter months so these are certainly something that I will LIVE in and I couldn’t be happier!
The fabric that I used is a brushed cotton which I bought from Barry’s in Birmingham a couple of years ago. I adore the tropical print on the navy background and this design makes a lovely change from the traditional tartan/plaid pattern or novelty prints that you can find more readily in brushed cottons. (That being said, I am desperate now for a plaid pair).
The instructions are brilliant and accompanied by superb photographs, so even an absolute beginner could easily manage this project. Basically you are just sewing up the leg seams, folding over at the waist to create a casing for your drawstring, hemming and you’re done! I decided that I wanted to have an elasticated waist, so simply added some elastic into the drawstring channel instead of a drawstring cord. I still wanted to have a pretty bow at the front to replicate the drawstring look, so I grabbed the brightest ribbon from my stash and quickly stitched it in place at the centre front for decoration. I’m glad I did this as it really finishes off the trousers and gives them a pop of colour.
The only adjustment that I made to the pattern was to shorten the leg length. I’m 5’2″ so this is usually something that I have to do. I took 4.5 inches off the leg length. On reflection this might have been a tad too much as when it came to shortening them I only used the teeny tiniest hem (after overlocking the raw edge), so I think that I might add a little back next time so that I have more to play with when I am hemming them. I like the idea of adding piping to the bottom of the trouser legs another time too…
So despite a slow start to the new year in terms of sewing, this one’s a goodie and will be a much worn part of my wardrobe for the next 3 or 4 months until the weather warms up!
Take care and I’ll be back soon,
Kathy x
Loving your Margots! I’ve made a few pairs myself, and love them.
Thank you Lynne. I am really enjoyed wearing them, and will make more for sure! x
I’ve started my Tilly Margot PJ bottoms and have lost the pattern. I haven’t marked the lines, dots or notches. Is there anywhere I can download the pattern?
Thank you.
Hi Mary,
Oh how annoying that you have mislaid your pattern!
I think if I were you I would contact the Tilly team via their website or social media and see what they suggest.
I think with their latest book (make it simple) you can download the patterns somehow using the bar code on your book (or something like that), but not sure if this is available to do on their older books. Fingers crossed that it is..
Hope this helps, and good luck!
Kathy x