Upcycled sleepwear

After weeks and weeks without sewing, my fingers were twitching for some stitching. An old duvet cover needed to go after becoming shabby, but it had also become lovely and soft with years of wear - time for my first bit of upcycling fabric!

New Look 6984 got rolled out again to make some sleepwear, just as with the sweetie nightie. It's a very dull cotton this time, so more interesting ribbon was needed.

 I chose a nice grosgrain ribbon, which I hoped might make the nightie look less dull, more rustic...

  A bit of detailing at the waist, and at the back to add marginal bits of interest!

While this is certainly not my favourite project, I did learn a few things... Grosgrain ribbon needs the addition of heat to seal the ends, cutting diagonally isn't enough. In addition, I've realised this pattern isn't for me. Both nighties gape at the back, despite me using the smallest size in the packet - absolutely fine for a nightie, but  I won't be making this as a dress. Think it'll be one to pass on to a fellow stitcher soon :)



The sweetie nightie

I always thought that making your own sleepwear was a silly idea - why make something that people don't see, that you can pick up so easily from a high street store for cheaper than the fabric would cost? Well, then I saw some fabric and trims in Abakhan's in Mostyn, and well... I changed my mind! About £3p/m, it still works out to be as pricey as just buying off the shelf, but I fell in love! And there was lots of lace trims! It was a match made in heaven...

After weeks of searching I decided on New Look 6984. It's actually a dress pattern, but all the nightie patterns I came across were too frumpy or naff!

I think it turned out just as I had hoped - sweet and pretty. It's different from anything you'd buy in the shops, yet it's practical too... Only one alteration to the instructions was needed - adding velcro rather than a button - for comfort. Always important to remember that the scratchy side faces up to avoid irritated skin. This time I remembered!

I think the lace looks great, I'm really happy with the finished result...

Though, sewing with such a tiny band was a little bit of a headache (I cut corners and don't hand sew wherever possible). Can you make out how small it was on this picture?

What do you think? Would you ever (or have you already) make a nightie?