question about mixing fabrics

"Judie in Penfield NY" wrote in message news:i3mjaq$vaq$ snipped-for-privacy@news.eternal-september.org...

Patterns are drafted for ease with a particular type of fabric in mind. That pattern calls for using stretch fabric, so if you use a woven for the fronts and back you will have to make a size adjustment *larger* for wearing ease.

For a larger raglan sleeve pajama pattern:

Beverly

That's very interesting (and strange), the pattern envelope says "use fabrics and trims that meet the Flammability Standards" etc. And it does say that the sleeper (D) and the robe (E) can also be made from knits, and the sleeve, neck and leg bands are of ribbed knit. But nowhere does it say stretch fabric only. I thought the pj illustration looked like woven and I've made this pattern for about 6 or 7 years using flannel or other woven fabric and have had no fitting problems. The only real sleepwear fabric I've ever seen at Joann's is very firm with very little stretch although it did seem to be a knit.

The other pattern definitely calls for stretch knit only so would I add to the width? How can I figure the additional pattern ease needed? Since she is on the other side of the country It's a little more challenging to fit her clothes.

Judie

I cannot get simplicity.com site to load right now, what a POS they have ruined that site. But when I looked at it an hour ago, I thought the fabric recommendations said "stretch knit", but I only glanced at it. Since you have the actual pattern I'm sure you are right. If you've been using wovens without any issues, it would probably work just fine to use woven for the body and knit for the sleeves.

PJs are usually drafted with lots of ease, so perhaps it's not an issue. For the McCalls 5282, if you want to use a mix of woven and knit, it would probably work to use one size larger for the woven "body parts" (including bottoms), just to add some additional ease. Be sure the sleeve for the smaller size fits the armscye of the larger size, or make adjustments before cutting the fabrics. You'd probably want to use the hem length for the smaller size.

Pam,

I really like this pattern, I started using it years ago and made the robe for my (at the time) 4 1/2 and 1 1/2 yo DGDs. Those were fleece lined with flannel. This was back in the time we all lived in South Lake Tahoe and it gets cold there. I think the following year was when I started making pjs and I've been doing so ever since. Those two little girls are now 12 and 9 and there are two more who are now 4 1/2 and 18 mo. And all that time I thought the pj pattern was for wovens.

The crotch length for these pjs is too long for my girls so I have shortened my patterns accordingly but I'm not sure why this is true. Let me know how this pattern works for you. I've found it goes together so quickly that it's become my favorite.

Judie