hotel styling

First I thought I'd make my father a scarf. Specifically, the Patchwork Scarf from Denyse Schmidt Quilts, because I didn't have much time and I had the materials on hand. Not knowing he'd be released right before I arrived, I pictured him lying in his hospital bed with a wool scarf wrapped around his neck, and the image didn't quite work. I settled on more useful pajama pants, which sounded quick and easy, even though I'd never made anything resembling pants before. The pattern, New Look 6764, claimed 1 hour construction. I tripled that, knowing I'd make some mistakes. Well, Wednesday morning, an hour and a half before my flight was to leave, there I was, still sewing pajamas. I got them done and made it, but there was no time for fartsy pictures. I snapped these in the Red Roof Inn, before driving over to my grandmother's to see my father.

When I gave them to him, he said, These ain't pajamas. These are summer pants. He's always had a way taking our mediocrity and raising it to art.

Regarding the pattern, it's a good introduction to basic pants construction. I need to practice making buttonholes on Blanche. The ones I made on the linen PJs, in particular, really suck. They're sturdy enough to keep the drawstring from wearing on the fabric, but they look a fright. Another thing is that the crotch on these things drags pretty low, so there's a slight diaper effect, which I guess is okay for pajamas, or for that MC Hammer look. My father is a small man, especially since he's been sick, but I made mediums because I didn't want them to be too small. The small would've fit him better (he didn't try them on but I could tell by looking at him), but he doesn't mind.