The Tale of the Recycled Pajama Pants

Once upon a time, like way back in college, I had a pair of pajama pants. They were nothing special -- just cotton PJ bottoms from Old Navy -- but I loved them. I loved the colors, I loved how comfortable they were and I loved that I could wear them year-round (they kept me warm in the winter and cool in the summer). I remember wearing those pants and watching movies in my dorm room on my sorority hall. I remember wearing those pants and eating ice cream late one night with all my roommates at my college apartment. I remember packing those pants and taking them on my honeymoon (Neil was thrilled). Those pants and I have logged a lot of miles and a lot of memories. Plus, they'd been washed just enough times that the cotton was good and worn in and super soft. They were my go-to pjs and I have worn them A LOT for many years. Behold, the PERFECT pair of pajama pants:

But, sadly, just like everything else, those pants couldn't live forever. For one thing, they had become thread-bare beyond repair in the seat and crotch (I've literally worn them out) and, well, they aren't exactly as comfortable as they once were (they are, ahem, a bit snug). Because of their condition, I couldn't donate them to the thrift store or hand them down to someone else. On the way to the trash can, I decided the best option would probably be to just cut them up and use the fabric for cleaning rags. At least I'd have something colorful to dust with. But the thought was just unsettling for me. That is not how a great pair of PJs should go out. And then I was struck with a thought: what if I did cut them up but instead of rags, what if I cut them down into pajama pants for Margie Grace. I was sure that by cutting them up the inseam and opening out the legs, I'd have just enough fabric to make MG her own pair of special PJ pants! I thought the idea was genius so I got to work, laying the pants on the floor and cutting them into a new creation.

Now here's a bit of a side story to this whole pajama rebirth. In early December, Margie Grace's preschool is having a "Pajama Day" where everyone wears their favorite PJs to school. It has been on my mind exactly what to dress her in that day because I've felt like she doesn't have any PJs that are extra special enough to wear to school. I buy the lion's share of her pajamas at our semi-annual consignment sale where I can get about two weeks worth of PJs for the price of two or three pair at Target or Wal-Mart. They are fine pajamas for around the house but I wanted her to have something a little nicer and a little more special for school. A new pair just wasn't in the budget for us (the financial belt is tighter these days since I've gone to part-time) plus I couldn't justify buying a new pair when she's getting a brand new pair for Christmas (holla if that's your family's Christmas Eve tradition, too!) So, the idea to remake my old pants into something new for her couldn't have come at a more opportune time. Behold the pajamas reborn:

I was so clever, I cut the new pants out using the bottom edge of the old pants so that I didn't even have to hem them. I had some red ric rac in my box of leftover trim that I used to spiff up the bottom cuff and cute them up a bit (nothing makes me think of fun kids' clothes like ric rac!) I got a red T-shirt at Wal-Mart for $3.50 and appliqued an "M" on it using some of the leftover fabric from the pants. I just love the way the whole set turned out and I couldn't be happier that my old pants got a new makeover -- spared from the trash and reborn into something Margie Grace can use. Plus, she really got a kick out of the fact that those used to be my old pants! She doesn't know this but I added extra fabric to the waistband so in the next couple of years, I can let it out and she's got room to grow. Unfortunately, I don't think these pants will be with her through college. But, hey, they've had a good run!

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Fun Stripes

Margie Grace loves to wear dresses to school. But on Tuesdays she stays after school for gymnastics so she has to wear pants, especially something comfortable that she can move around easily in, because she doesn't get a chance to change between preschool and tumbling class. So earlier this fall I picked up a handful of Garanimals T-shirts at Wal-Mart with the goal of making cute little outfits by putting an applique or monogram on the shirts and making her a matching pair of pants for each. Monday night I finally finished the first set (any spare time that I had for sewing in October was spent making a Little Mermaid costume! So, I'm a little behind . . .). I'm really pleased with how it turned out. I found the perfect purse applique to tie the outfit together. When I was done, I thought it was still missing something so I riffled through my ribbon drawer and found just enough of my scraps to make a precious matching bow. I'm really pleased with how the outfit turned out and Margie Grace really loved her new purse outfit. Now I've got until next Tuesday to make another set!

Stylish swimwear and a brand new bishop

Each spring, I strike out in pursuit of the perfect swimsuit and cover-up combo for Margie Grace. Said pair must rate equally high in the durability and cuteness categories but without breaking the bank. I'm so excited about this year's find. I happened upon this precious brown polka dotted suit at Target but was disappointed that they didn't have a cover-up to match. I considered not getting it but am so glad I changed my mind. Most children's suits are light colored and I prefer one that won't show the dinginess that often comes from a summer filled with weekends at the lake. I snagged this green cover-up, although it was pretty plain, because I thought I could always spruce it up later with a monogram. I was pleasantly surprised, however, when I got home and found this scrap of brown fabric with my applique supplies -- a near perfect match to the polka dot print on the swimsuit and just right for jazzing up the cover-up. MG loves her new suit and cover up and can't wait to wear them!


I started this lovely bishop last summer and like a lot of things, had put it away unfinished when fall came and I got busy with birthdays and holidays. I decided to get it out again this spring and finish it so that Margie Grace could wear it to all the weddings we attended/are attending. I am so pleased with how it turned out! I think the color combination will allow her to wear this into the fall and because of the length, I am hoping she can get some wear out of it next year too! (For anyone who is interested, the smocking plate is "Ruth" by Little Stitches.)

MG loves her new dress -- here's a shot of her tearing up the dance floor at cousin Nick and Julie's wedding in Birmingham in April.