Use the new ‘Days by the Sea’ collection to create this simple Cami and Shorts Pyjama set, perfect for keeping you cool in the summer months to come.
What you will need:
1 to 1.5m of Fabric for the Shorts
1 to 1.5m of Fabric for the Cami Top
1m of ¾” Elastic
Matching Thread
Scissors, pins and a needle
Pattern and pattern paper
Making the Shorts
Download and print the A4 pattern sheets here, trace the shape and markings onto the pattern paper and cut out.
Wash and Iron the fabric, then fold in half and lay out ready for your pattern
3. Pin the pattern pieces, carefully matching the grain line to the selvedge edge. Cut out using sharp fabric scissors or a rotary cutter.
4. Now it’s time to start sewing! Start with the centre front seam, RST and match up the notches. Using a 1.5cm seam allowance. Overlock apart and press. Repeat with the centre back seam.
5. Match the front and back side seams RST, again using a 1.5cm seam allowance, sew, overlock together and press the seam towards the back.
6. Match the crotch seam, RST, use a 1.5cm seam allowance, sew, overlock apart and press.
7. Make up the waistband by stitching the two side seams RST, using a 1cm seam allowance. Overlock together and press towards the back. Fold in half horizontally and press.
8. RST pin the waistband to the top of the shorts. Mark a gap at the back about as big as your hand for the elastic to be threaded through. Start stitching from one end of this point, stopping when you get to the other.
9. To measure how much elastic you will need, stretch it around your waist. I always add a little extra just in case. Attach a safety pin to the end of your elastic and begin threading through. Once it’s threaded, pin the two ends of the elastic together and secure my sewing a cross.
10. Stretch out the part of the elastic at the back where the opening is. Pin and sew closed. Overlock the seam and press well.
11. Finally you can hem your shorts, overlock, and turn up by 1.5cm and press. Finish by top stitching.
12. Give the shorts one final press and you’re done!
Making the cami top
1. Download and print the A4 pattern sheets here, trace the shape and markings onto the pattern paper and cut out.
2. Wash and Iron the fabric, then fold in half and lay out ready for your pattern.
3. Pin the pattern pieces, carefully matching the grain line to the selvedge edge. Cut out using sharp fabric scissors or a rotary cutter.
4. Now it’s time to start sewing! Start with carefully folding the strap pieces in half, using a 1cm seam allowance, stitch all the way along. Cut off the excess so that you’re let with about 5mm.
5. Turn the straps through, this can be tricky but it’s worth taking your time doing it carefully. I found using a crochet hook works well.
6. Once they are turned through, press so that the seam is at the centre back. Set aside for later.
7. Sew up the front darts.
8. To attach the straps to the top, firstly pin to the points on the front of the top. Pin the front facing to this so that the straps are sandwiched between. When sewing be sure to stop and pivot when you get to straps, they should have a straight stitch across them. Use a 1.5cm seam allowance for this.
9. Trim the excess off around the straps. Press the seam, the facing should roll to the inside.
10. Top stitch the seam on the side of the facing and press so that the front of the top is flat.
11. Repeat for the back of the top.
12. Sew up the side seams, making sure the facing seams match. Use a 1.5cm seam allowance for this. Overlock the seam together and press towards the centre back.
13. For the hem, overlock and turn up a 1.5cm hem. Top stich and press.
14. Give the top one final press and you’re done!
Tutorial by Katherine Smith for the Craft Cotton Co
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