I had to do something that was bittersweet this morning.
I love pajamas. I can’t stand to stay in my pajamas in the morning. It makes me feel like I’m having a sick day. Besides, I’m a nurse. There are two things that nurses can’t stand. One, breakfast in bed, and two, staying in pajamas all day. The reason for this is obvious. We have sick people eating breakfast in bed. Ick. I don’t want to do that at all. I remember one Mother’s Day when my sweet daughters brought me breakfast in bed and I politely ate it sitting up surrounded by quilts and pillows feeling every bit like one of my patients at work. I kindly and gently (maybe) told my husband later in private that I would appreciate never experiencing that again.
I hear people saying that they love to stay in their pajamas all day. I can’t do that either. I can’t wait to put them on at night, but the Culligan Man that comes early in the morning will never find me hanging out in my pajamas.
When I come home from work, I will set about to making dinner, sometimes, and then usually move on to working on whatever project I have due. But, around 7:30 I start itching to put on my pajamas. They’re soft and comforting. I love my slippers too. The other thing that I love about pajamas is that they reinforce my love for wild prints. While I can’t go to the grocery store wearing pants with dogs all over them, I can wear pajamas at home with dogs on them, deer on them, owls on them cherries on them. Pajamas allow you to express your wild side.
Think about how much wear and tear your pajamas get. People are especially hard on them. You toss and turn in bed in them. They get washed hundreds of times in the course of their lifetime. And, who doesn’t love to get them as a gift? There’s nothing like a new pair of pjs.
Our pajama clinic is full. We will repeat this class again. Sewing pajamas is especially sweet. That’s because the simple act of making pajamas involves making pants, making a collar, sewing sleeves, making buttonholes and casings. If you learn to make a pair of pjs, you have learned many skills that cross over to other projects.
So this morning I said good bye. I said good bye to some old friends. My pjs from years ago. I cut them up so that they can be used for dust rags. That old soft flannel works so well for this.
Isn’t that a great print? They were ripping beyond repair. Of course, I cut off the buttons because I am going to make myself another pair. Not that I need another pair. My dresser drawers are stuffed with pajamas because it’s my favorite thing to sew and to buy for myself. Not fussy fancy nightgowns, but button down, long sleeved, flannel with regular pajama pants.
These buttons don’t show any wear and tear. They’ll be perfect for my next pair! So, my suggestion is for all sewists to learn to make pajamas. If you already know how, then get going! Make a pair for your kids. Make a pair for your husband. Make a pair for a new bride and groom, matching of course. Make a pair for a new bride that’s made from really pretty fabric. I’ll bet you’ll be the only one at the bridal shower with the new pair of pjs. Hey, what about that new mom that is bringing home a new baby? The baby gets all kinds of gifts but the mom would like to feel pretty. Make a pair for your mother for mother’s day or your father for father’s day. Just do it!
