Pattern review: Alex and Anna winter PJs by peek-a-boo Pattern Shop

Sometimes you just need to make basics. Things that aren’t that exciting but later you realise are as essential as another pretty little dress or shorts. It isn’t likely that anyone else will ever see these but the pure joy on my little man’s face when I finished them was totally worth it.

Now this post comes with a big apology. I have my own rule with my blog to never use iPhone photos (I even blogged about the use of phone photos in my five tips for apply for a market last year). BUT my little boy has been wearing these PJs for a couple of weeks and as I put them on him last night I realised he already has some sort of food stains down the front, add to that my camera just ran out of batteries and that I didn’t want to delay this any longer – you are just going to have to deal with the iPhone photos I took for Instagram!! Sorry! (But really they aren’t that bad are they?)

This is such a weird pose. It cracks me up everytime I look at it!

Alex and Anna winter PJs by peek-a-boo Pattern Shop

I actually have done a review (of sorts!) already for this pattern as I used it for the top I made during the Spring has Sprung blog tour last year. I still thought it was worthwhile sharing with you as I made the whole outfit as per the pattern.

My handsome, opinionated, future designer 7 year old son choose the material he wanted and specifically directed exactly how he wanted these constructed. Who am I to argue with him? If it means he is more likely to wear them, I’m in. And seriously, how much longer am I going to be able to make ‘handmade’ clothes for him before that becomes daggy or it is all about the latest ‘cool’ clothes or must have labels?

I have learnt from my previous creations with this pattern designer and did measure my son before cutting and creating. Who else just ‘assumes’ and makes the size to find out later something is too big or too small? Is it just me that mainly makes things when the kids aren’t home or in bed asleep? I made a size 7 this time and it was a perfect fit for him.

I was concerned about the fit of these pants, that they might be a little snugger than he is used to but he really loves them and they seem like a really comfy fit to sleep in.

I hadn’t ever made a waistband the way this pattern suggests and it was really fun to do it. I really love picking up little pointers with every pattern I make. It feels like I’m still growing as a sewist every, single day. I don’t assume to know everything but it is great to keep learning.

I made these just before mother’s day and I love that he wrote on one of those little ‘about mum’ type forms that ‘mummy sews shirts and shorts for me that I design’. Nawwwwhhhh.

Yep I'm a terrible mother making him pose for photos!

Will I make this again? - absolutely. I should some for Miss 5 shouldn’t I?Will I make this to sell for Lil Pip? – not at this stage

Pattern: Alex and Anna winter PJs

Fabric: Stripes I bought from a friend destashing before moving to Sydney and the red is from Spotlight. I find knit wherever I can!!

Difficulty (1-10 scale with 1 being easy and 10 hard): 3 as the instructions are so great and I think it is a good one to try if you are just starting out with knits.

Time: I would allow 1 hour. A very quick sew!

(Lil Pip has received no payment or sponsorship for this review – I do it because I want to share my experiences)