Growing Up Sew Liberated: Giant PJs.

I've been following Meg McElwee's blog, Sew Liberated for the past few years now, so I was really excited to see her new book, Growing Up Sew Liberated, come out last month. When I saw that it is packed full of cute knit clothing patterns for children, I got even more excited (because sewing with knit fabrics is totally my new thing!), and bought the book.

I love it. I love every pattern in the book. There are really no throw-away or filler patterns here - each and every pattern is something I would consider making for the right child. And as I had hoped, the book is packed with lovely, simple, gender-neutral clothing patterns for children of all ages.

My first project from the book was a set of knit pajamas, using the "cross-over top" and "sleeping johns" (which are really just leggings) patterns. I wanted to make a long-sleeved version of this outfit, here.

In retail clothing and Oliver + s patterns, Joe is definitely a size 2T. But when I cut out a new pattern for him, I sometimes get paranoid that 2T will be too small (heaven forbid my efforts be wasted!). And when it comes to pajamas, I worry more, because we usually double-diaper Joe with a bulky wool cover overnight.

So I cut the leggings out in 3T.

And, of course, they are too big. Totally wearable, but too long and a little baggy in the butt (even with giant-cloth-dipe-butt).

Live and learn, right? So when I cut out the "cross-over top," I was careful to cut it out in 2T.

But here's the weird thing: Despite that, the top is also too big. Er ... way too big.

Yes, this child has a lot of toys and he knows how to spread them all over.

So big that I wonder what I did wrong. The seam allowance was supposed to be only a quarter inch, right? Did I trace it and cut it out too generously? Did I stretch it out somehow? Because it is e-FRICKIN-normous!

These will still fit him two years from now.

Luckily, baggy pajamas are totally wearable, and it's not like he won't grow into these. Better too large than too small, right? I'm just a little baffled.

Really, Joe? You want to stand ON the track?

I'm still super excited to try every other pattern in this book, but I think I will check the next pattern against a tried-and-true pattern before deciding on a size and cutting, just in case!

That said, I will definitely sleep better knowing that Joe is provided with day-glo orange and green-striped clothing options far into his future.