toasty girl – the nightie
2010
I love flannel nighties. Ever since I was a wee girl, stretched out, hot and sweaty in my Nanny’s house by the beach, reading about Laura and Mary in their red flannel nighties in the Little House in the Big Woods. Good thing it was the early 1970s and my Nanny believed in the righteousness of little girls wearing flannel nighties. But I never had a red one. That day is still to come. And now – 35 years later – I have given up on finding flannel nighties in the shops here, and understand that if we are to continue enjoying flannel nighties, I will have to make them. Here’s my first effort.
The pattern is a Simplicity 2819 and ticks most of the boxes for a cosy, traditional flannel nightie. Ruffled hem – check.
Full sleeves with a gathered cuff – almost check. The sleeves are deliciously full, but the cuff is elasticized. Would Ma have used elastic, heck no! She would have gathered the sleeve’s edge and then addded a crisp cuff. The elastic works well and looks good, but for the sake of authenticity, I will gather and cuff on the next nightie.
Lovely thick flannel – check. I bought this from ebay last year – from a seller who specialises in Westminister end of bolts but whose name I cannot remember, for $4 a metre. Can you believe that! $4 a metre. Woo-hoo! Quality patchwork flannel in Australia sells for $24 a metre which makes for one dang expensive nightie given you need almost five metres for grown girls. But it’s not red – the notion of a red flannel nightie is not as enticing to Abby. She prefers the cute. Thus we have adventurous penguins and snow boarding polar bears.
Most importantly – is it toasty warm? Check! So toasty that on this cold, wet Saturday, she has seen no reason to swap it for day clothes. Until I reminded her that if she wore it all day, she wouldn’t be able to wear it to bed tonight. That did the trick.
The only other modification I will make to the next nightie is to the bodice bit. The pattern has a slit/opening at the front for easy pull on. But I find this tricky to get to sit nicely and as Abby declared the first night she wore it, it provides the sneaky cold air with easy access. So I shall fiddle with the cutting of the bodice and allow for an overlap with two buttons.
Next up – Japanese influenced Eskimo flannel for Abby and for me? Well, I’ve yet to find the perfect fabric. But rest assured, the hunt is on.
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I just love love flannelette nightie’s, great job!, I’m getting off the computer and I’ll have a look in my stash for that very thing, luckily Alice only needs a meter, bonus of having 2 year olds!
Pretty, pretty – looking forward to more!
Hugs – Lurline?
What fun you’re having! I’ve been sewing clothing lately, too — for my grandchildren — and loving every minute of it!
C.O.Z.Y! Your corner is becoming Cozy Corner. While cleaning out the grown-out-of pajama stash, I had to put aside the tartan flannel American Girl nightgown. When she got it, it was way too big. I think she wore it for at least three winters. Now the flannel is in the form of pajama pants and pajama shorts (which we laugh about every time they come out). I’ll keep my eyes peeled for some nice flannel.
Looks lovely and I love the pattern!
with the boots and hat it’s the perfect outfit!
I love it! I’ve got a couple things to finish up on my sewing table, and then I’m moving on to nightgowns for my 5 year old.
Until I read this post I had forgotten how much I loved my flanalette nightgowns, over the years as they haven’t been available I guess I’ve just swapped to flanny pjs! (nowhere near as good)I think I may have to search out a pattern, and make myself one, maybe even red as I’ve always wanted one just like Laura and Mary!!!
It is so pretty and cute! Looks so snuggly and warm too…happy nightie and a happy girl :)
There was one thing I did each year and that was make our girls long flannellette nighties. One year they were pink and white candy stripes and the girls loved them .
Lucky Abby! What a wonderful nightie! I love the print – that was perfect for a cozy project.
Good luck in your quest for red flannel!
Those are very cute flannel jammies. You know it’s like 38 degrees C here and the thought of flannel is making me sweat. I love it when our seasons go completely different. I can hardly wait to see the eskimo pj’s. Very fun.
oh so cozy!!!
my daughter refuses to wear jammies. (she changes into her clothes for the next day before bed.)
but..you give me hope as we are just about to embark on the little house books. maybe, just maybe, i’ll get her in a cozy flannel nightgown this winter!!!
xo
~erin