Matchy-matchy PJs

The pajama set I started sewing is now complete: I sewed a Topstitch Essential Shirt and a scrunchie to go with my Carolyn PJ pants.

While button-down PJ sets are really cute and classic, I don’t like a lot of extra stuff around whilst I’m trying to sleep. I do appreciate sleeves, however, so I went for a hunt of woven tops that could work for PJs.

There seem to be much fewer indie patterns for woven tops, as compared to knits. But the Topstitch Essential Shirt seemed to fit the bill! This pattern was designed by absolute beginners, which is great for a few reasons:

• It’s optimized for use with easier fabrics, i.e. wovens.
• There are just two pattern pieces, and construction is a simple as seems possible for a top.
• The instructions explained the “why” behind things I’d heard before, and gave little encouragements. For example, they remind you that your first garment is like the first pancake in a batch—it might not turn out how you like!

I ended up being able to do this project in one day, start to finish: from taking my measurements to parading it around the house for praise and admiration. The Topstitch Essential Shirt was fun and frustration-free!

I didn’t take any particular notes with this pattern. Next time I sew it, I might try grading between sizes. They recommend you choose your size based on the bust measurement, so I have a bit of extra room in some areas of the shirt. The one drawback of using wovens and sewing a boxier garment is that it can be a little less flattering for my body type. If I do make a top for outside the house, I would consider:

• Grading between sizes
• Trying out a floatier knit
• And/or strategic hem tucking

With the leftover fabric, I ended up making this free scrunchie pattern from The Spruce Crafts. Real 90s fashion here, kids.

The scrunchie took me just under an hour to make, and half of that was just turning the darn tube right-side-out. Pretty quick time investment for something fun! The only note I have is that I used 1/2" elastic instead of 1/4", because it’s what I had on hand. Funnily enough, The Spruce’s photos look like they’re using 1/2" elastic…

I bought this fabric YEARS ago at Mood with absolutely zero plan for it, and it turned out to be the perfect yardage?! Love it when these things work out.

Next sewing challenge: a woven tank top!