Viking PJs - Done!

Here is a project that was completely delightful to sew.  I had an enormous amount of fun putting these pajamas together:  from designing the applique to finding the perfect purple thread in my stash for top stitching.

Here is the dragon boat applique

• See my previous post for details on tracing and enlarging the boat
• I hand dyed old T-shirts for the applique fabric using some RIT dye that I had left over from another project.  I used 1 TBSP of Navy Blue and 1 tsp of Cocoa Brown in 2 gallons of water for the purple color.  I used 1 TBSP of Sunshine Yellow and 1/2 tsp of Cocoa Brown in 2 gallons of water for the orangey-brown color on the shields (it's darker than the pictures show)
• I used a Pellon version of Steam-a-Seam to cut out and adhere the fabric to the T-shirt front
• Since knit doesn't fray, I simply straight stitched around the edges of the design
• I used a narrow zig-zag on the shields
• I hand embroidered the eyes and used fabric paint for the nose and tail
• Whew!

Sewing the shirt:
It's Ottobre Design 6/2010-33 without the placket.



It's an easy, excellent fitting T-shirt pattern.  The curvy raglan sleeves are slightly tricky, but since knits are stretchy easing those curves is not too hard.

I made my version extra long for my long-torso'd, fast-growing 6 year old son.  He's very tall and big for his age so I sewed the size 134 (the US equivalent of a 10).

The pants are also from the Ottobre 6/2010 issue - pattern 35, size 134.  The are a perfect design for my son who has a very round posterior.  The gusseted crotch gives lots of room and an excellent fit.

(please excuse the painter's tape - we are remodeling)

Why would you not want a pair of Viking pajamas?

Make something beautiful!
Jen

Viking Pajamas

My son and I LOVE the How to Train Your Dragon series by Cressida Cowell.  They are marvelously fun and full of adventure.  They are also full of Vikings and Dragons.

When I saw this fabric by Lillestoff, I thought it would make a pair of pajamas perfect for a little boy to dream of magical dragons and adventures on the Viking seas.  It's also so cute I may have to make something for myself with it too.  It's available in Ottobre Design's Etsy Shop (click the picture), although I believe this particular colorway is sold out.

 

I bought some blue and purple ribbing from Ottobre as well for the neckline and cuffs on the shirt, and also cuffs on the pants.

The shirt is going to be a solid dark navy cotton jersey with some Viking applique.
How do you do Viking applique?  Well...

•  First I find a cute image of a Viking Dragon Ship on my Viking fabric

• Then I trace it with some Swedish Tracing Paper (this is an essential supply for copying, tracing, and drafting patterns).

• Then I enlarge it 200% on a copier

Now I have the proper size Viking Dragon Ship to make my applique.  I'll be dyeing and cutting up some of my husband's old T-shirts for the applique.  I'll post my progress on that soon.

Make something beautiful!  (or something with Vikings!)
Jen