We're almost out of time, but we can still get this finished!

Am I the only one out here who really loves to make gifts, buy gifts, and give gifts . . . . but there just never seems to be enough time, energy, or money to do it all?  This year I decided that it would be fun to make a little something to send to all the grandbabies.  All 10 of them! So, in addition to trying to figure out all this new-fangled stuff that the girls want (DSI?  What the heck is that?  And just exactly HOW did we raise kids, who actually survived, before we had all these doo-dads to entertain our babies and keep them safe???) . . . . I am working on a little project that is fun, simple, and best of all it fits my budget.  Which is pretty small this year, considering the months of unemployment around here. 

So as I was staring at my stash of fabric, I suddenly remembered that I had a bag filled with plain white t-shirts that I bought last year when they were on sale.  And then I remembered that I also had quite a bit of flannel that I had also bought last winter and just didn't have the time to work on.  My little brain started thinking about the sweet  jammies I made for the girls a couple of years ago.  That's when I decided just what I was going to make for all the grandbabies.  Well, they're not ALL babies.  Two of them are 6 years old, two are 5 years old, two are 4 years old, one is 3 years old, one is one year old, and two of them are just a little over a month old.  That does make 10, doesn't it?  Four boys and six girls. 

I pulled out all of the t-shirts and found just about all of the sizes.  Just need to buy a couple more.  And then I started going through the flannel and have just about enough different designs for both boys and girls of various ages.  I think I'll be able to do this project without investing too much more money, but at least I'll be able to invest lots of love and time, and hopefully let them know that they are loved.  And while I'm out in the studio working on each little pair of jammies, I  can say a prayer for that baby that God will protect them as they grow up. 

So I just wanted to share this idea with you, in case you are looking for a last-minute, quick and easy Christmas gift for a little one in your life.  If you received the "Learn to Applique" ebook last week, just use that same technique to apply any design you cut out of some flannel fabric to the front of a plain white t-shirt. 

Then, using any pattern you might have in your collection (or buy a basic pants pattern) to make a super-quick pair of jammie bottoms to match.  I finished up a couple of pair of jammies yesterday afternoon out in the studio. 

Here's what you will need:

Grammie's Jammies

*  1 - 2 yds flannel fabric (depending on the size you are making)

*  1 plain white long-sleeve t-shirt in the size you need to make

*  Sewing machine

*  Scissors

*  Matching thread for sewing and stitching on the applique design

Follow the directions in the applique eBook (or leave a comment here and I will send it out to you!) by cutting out a simple design from your flannel fabric.  Iron on the fusible interfacing to the inside of the shirt, and iron on fusible web to the back of your design.  Press securely in place on the front of the t-shirt, and using an applique stitch (wide, tight zig-zag stitch), stitch all around each of your designs. 

Then, following your pattern for children's simple elastic-waist pants, make your jammie pants in the matching fabric.  Insert the elastic in the waistband, hem up the jammie pants, and there you go! 

Super-dooper simple!   Be sure to leave a comment here if you want me to send out the "Learn to Applique the Simple Way" eBook to you.  And have fun making more holiday gifts from your home, your hands, and your heart!

PS you might want to put each child's initial on the jammie top, at least if you have as many to make as I do, so I can remember which pair of jammies is for each one of the little ones   ;o)  

PPS you might also want to consider making the pantlegs of the jammies a couple of inches longer than needed right now.  That way the pantlegs can be rolled up a turn to make a cuff, and then as the child grows, they can unroll the cuffs and the jammies will still be long enough.   

 

Comments

[Alisa Hope Wagner]

Those jammies are adorable! I wish I was crafty like that! I can't even sew a button! Those kiddos have a wonderful grandma!!!

[Annette]

You always have the best ideas and I'm so glad you share them with us!

[Heather]

Can you tell me where to find the applique ebook? I am inspired to start personalizing clothes for my kids but know little about it. Thank you!

[kelli]

I have just made jammie pants for the whole family and would love to have your applique ebook. As a new sewer (sewist?) - I just taught myself to sew after Thanksgiving, I am always looking for helpful hints! Thank you!

Your grammies jammies are adorable!

[Rebecca]

I'd love a copy of the applique ebook! I was just thinking of doing this very same thing to go with some little flannel jammie pants I made for my 2 and 4 year old boys! How great that I saw this blog post on OnePrettyThing just at the right time!