Pattern Battle: Burda 6741 vs. Simplicity 1021 Pajama Shorts for the man

  Burda 6741 view D

measurements at the time: actual waist: 47 pants waist: 44 hip 46.5

Size sewn: straight 48

Date started and finished: December 24 2023

Fabric: 2 yards required; no fabric width given but cotton is listed as an acceptable fabric. I used this amazing Dwight Schrute, The Office, Cotton Woven that I purchased 04/30/2023 from Marshall Dry Goods.  it is labeled “45" CAMELOT FABRICS OFFICE SCHRUTE BUSINESS” 100% Cotton, SKU: 96090109-01, 2 Yards, $4.99/yard. Troy is an enormous Office Fan so he loved the fabric print.

A 5/8-inch Seam Allowance is hidden in the very beginning of the instructions and no elastic measurement is given

There is no cut diagram, so do I cut one or two of the waistband?? It says cut one on fold on a tiny part of the pattern piece - no fold arrows, no fold lines. After a bit of head scratching, I figured it out -you fold it in half like a hot dog, the long way. Then cut it on the fold - this tiny little long piece, and then open it with fold in the middle of the piece - not on an end like normal patterns. If you were to do it this way, Burda, why not just have the pattern piece flat with no fold! It is really odd.

The waistband ends up being 25 inches long for the largest size, but the largest waist is 45.75 inches? There is no “cut 2” or anything. I used my better judgement and cut 2.

I used 31 inches of no roll elastic 3/4 inch wide. Initially I used 44 inches of elastic that a previous pattern suggested, and worked, but the man changed his mind during try-on and preferred them really tight - because he has no rear to hold up his pants.

The hems are a narrow 1/4 inch on the legs, gross. So, add 1/4-inch next time to do at least ½, though I would prefer an inch hem.

Buttonholes: step #19 says “put in buttonholes” that's it, no further instruction where or how, apparently to insert cording. But that is not shown on the diagram or covered in any of the instructions.

step 12 to 13 - No instructions to under stitch the pocket seams to the pocket side, remember to do this next time. Also, clean up with serging on the straight edge of pockets before attaching or you will regret it later.

I thought instructions in the Burda magazine were terrible, you would think it would be a little bit better in the paper envelope, but the instructions were just terrible. It's easy enough to sew shorts, but if I was a beginner, I would need more instruction.

 

The man's thoughts: he prefers knits. He says cotton is scratchy and he's not really fond of it. His favorite shorts are the Greenstyle Hamptons that I made a while back in 2018; he wears them nonstop. Those would be his perfect pattern. He also doesn’t like that these don't have a fly and he wishes there was a fly. However, they fit well, and the length is good, and the crotch is nice and snug, not droopy.

Simplicity 1021 View C

measurements at the time: actual waist: 47 pants waist: 44 hip 46.5

Size sewn: straight 48

Date started and finished: 01/20/24

The pattern gives no waist measurement only a hip measurement. I sized up to extra-large because the pattern gave me the measurement of 47 - 49 inch hip for XL and 43 - 45 inch hip for L

HOWEVER the actual pattern piece says extra-large 46 - 48 inches for hip and it lists a finished measurement of 53 inches on the hip

Also, no fabric requirement was listed for just the shorts.

 

Pieces 7,8,9,10 and 11 are for the shorts All of the pattern pieces were on one sheet except piece #11, WHY? Piece #11 is the elastic length guide, why is it not on the sheet with every other pattern piece I don't know, however, for extra-large it is 1” x 41” for pattern piece #11, the elastic guide. Made absolutely no sense to unfold a huge flimsy pattern sheet for just that measurement.

I started with two yards, and I had 11 inches leftover, so I would say 2 yards are needed for the shorts. Thanks, Simplicity, for not saying how many yards I needed for just the shorts.

Fabric: 45" Camelot Fabrics Looney Tunes That's All Folks, purchased from Marshall Dry Goods on 06/27/23, 2 yards for $4.99/yard.

Shading in the instructions drove me crazy because it's wrong!! It's opposite - right side up was shaded and wrong side up was white, when it should be the other way around - so I was getting confused and I kept looking at the beginning and the beginning of the instructions show, like every pattern, RSU white and WSU is shaded.

There is no instruction to have you stabilize the fly where the snaps or buttonholes go. At step 5-6, in the future, stabilize at the fly where the buttonholes or snaps go.

The Pattern does have a nice 1-inch hem on the legs.

Overall, these instructions were better than the Burda instructions - besides the shading mess up. These also have a real fly, which is nice, however I knew right away that they weren't going to be a favorite for my husband for the exact reasons he lists below.

 

The man's thoughts: he doesn't like scratchy cotton; he likes knits better as above. These pajama shorts also have a very droopy crotch, yet very short legs and are very poofy in the legs, too. He was reminded of his grandpa's old boxer shorts for this pattern. He does not like it. He does not want me to make it ever again. He prefers his shorts to reach his knees. He grew up in the 90s and early 2000s, so he likes things long. He does not like the length of these short shorts.

Side by Side Comparison:

There you have it, the winner is Burda 6741 even though the instructions are terrible, there's no real fly, and they aren’t knit. (it's easy enough to change it to a real fly, but the instructions are still terrible) Since my husband prefers knit fabric, I won't be making either of these again. Unfortunately, I had other flannel and cotton fabrics for him in my stash…… I guess I get to find other uses for them.

Happy Sewing!

Kristin

Jalie – 4348 Jack Pj pants compared to Jalie 3909 Henri joggers

Hello! It has been awhile! Sorry about that.  Things have been busy here at the Sunny house.  Same old health stuff and more.  Miss K is a senior now so more stuff to do there.  Mr. T moved back in and needed to get his life together.  He seems to be on a good path now and is set to move out in 2 weeks again.  Mr Sunny has been super busy at work and I have been sucked into a portal of embroidery madness lately.  I'll share more on that later.  Today I want to share some pj pants I made Mr Sunny awhile back.

Here is the new Jalie 4348 Jack Pattern  Mr Sunny's measurements at the time:

• Height: 6'2"
• Waist: 47in
• Hips (fullest): 46.5in
• Inseam (to the floor): 32in

Date Sewn: March 20, 2023

SIZE USED: EE/FF for waist and hip Since my husband was right in the middle of both sizes, I used the middle of EE/FF for his pants – they fit perfectly

Fabric:  Stretch -Width: _60% Length: __45%  I used a heathered tri-blend cotton jersey knit, super soft. it was 59" wide after prewashing. I was able to use only 1.5 yards for my pants;  The pattern says to use 2.5 yards. but I didn't have a directional print so I was able to scoot my back piece up enough and flip it upside down so that it fit right next to the front piece, using less yardage.

Thoughts:  Absolutely LOVE them!!! I love the fit. My husband put them on and they fit him perfectly. He wore them all night so I know he liked them. His only gripe was the no pockets and fake fly but now Jalie has added pockets so yay! and I can do a real fly easily without modifying the pattern too much. I love that these can go with the Women’s 4016 Jeanne pattern. I was looking for a good casual lounge pants for him to match mine. I made the Jeanne’s in 2021 and 2023 and I absolutely love them. I'll be making my 21 year old son some of these Jack’s soon too. These are exactly the style he loves.  These would be perfect for Christmas Pjs! Jack for boys/men and Jeanne for girls/women I was kinda bummed there was no top for the pants, like with Jeanne, but I own pattern 2918 that would work perfectly with this pattern so no issue there. It is hard to find pants that fit my husband right because he has no back end. All pants fall down constantly and he is always pulling them up and complaining. With the Jack pattern, the elastic is the perfect length and they stay up on him and that is awesome! The inseam is perfect too.  This pattern also has a shorts option. Yes, I was a tester for these, but you all know that I speak my mind.  Life is too short to BS around.  This is a Great pattern, I love it and I would tell you if I didn't.  I have 2 more cut out to sew on my table right now!  Husband loves them too and that is saying a lot! How do these compare to the Jalie 3909 Henri that was released in 2019/2020?  Well I also was blessed to test the Henri!  Full notes can be read here.

However, I’ll compare them quick right now.  The Henri’s are more substantial – like a true jogger pant.  The Jack’s here are more like a lounger, pajama pant.  You can have a look at the difference. Jack in gray and Henri in blue. The Jack’s are skinnier legs, elastic waist, side seam pockets (now).  The Henri’s have a back pocket, drawstring elastic waist, and are wider legged.

 

I hope to catch up on some blog posts here.  It has been awhile.

I hope you are all sewing and enjoying life.

Happy Sewing! Kristin

Jalie x3 and a Snuggie

Pattern:  Jalie Jeanne Pjs 4016

Made previously:  in super soft black waffle knit dec 2020, and a refashion of Wall-E pants jan 2021

Measurements at the time: high bust 39 inches, bust 42 inches, waist 38 inches, hip 49 inches

 Size Sewn:  For the top I made Size Y graded to an X at the waist and BB at hip; for the bottoms I made Size BB

Started and finished Sewing:  10/31/22

Adjustments: 

• ·        1/2” forward shoulder on top.
• ·        Pants: 1/2” knock knee,
• ·        Lowered the front rise by THREE inches,
• ·        my elastic waist in the pants was 1” x 37”. 
• ·        Added 1” to the pants hems for my 5’7” height.

 Fabric:  Muted Tan/Eggshell/Heathered Gray/Cadet Blue Polyester/Lycra Horizontal Stripe Brushed Sweater knit - NY Designer - 62W, I ordered 3 yards on Mar 1, 2022 from FabricMart for $4.99 per yard and must have used only 2 yards because of the width. So, $9.98 total.

Thoughts:
I love them. Like I love love, love, love, love them! I wish I could wear them all the time. They are super comfortable, extremely soft, and fit just right.  The bestest most softest pjs ever. This fabric is like angel wings. it’s what dreams are made of. so soft and fuzzy on the inside.

 

Pattern: Jalie Mimosa 3890

Made previously:  in 2018 a floral for me, and in 2020 a blue stripes for Miss K

Measurements at the time: high bust 39 inches, bust 42 inches, waist 39 inches, hip 49 inches

Size Sewn:  Bust AA grading to DD for waist and hip

Started and finished Sewing: 12/3/23

 Adjustments: 

·     I made 1/4-inch forward shoulder
adjustment

Fabric:  leftover yard from pjs above: Muted Tan/Eggshell/Heathered Gray/Cadet Blue Polyester/Lycra Horizontal Stripe Brushed Sweater Knit - NY Designer - 62W. I ordered 3 yards on Mar 1, 2022 from FabricMart for $4.99 per yard and used 1 yard.

Thoughts:
I really like this top. It’s roomier than I usually wear my tee’s but that is ok.  Now that I have a giant thyroid belly from my health issues, I like the roominess.  I love that the top only uses 1 yard of fabric, I think the cuffs are fun, The length is perfect, not too long and not short, My favorite part is the curved hem!! I love a curved hem!! Plus, the fabric is beyond soft. Next time I need to remember to sew the sides up before hemming. It is just easier that way. I only had scraps, so I had to cut the sleeves not on the fold and then sew them up the center. no stripe matching. I don’t care. it’s so soft and tunic length in back for leggings.

  

Pattern:  Jalie 2444 shorts for Miss K

Made previously:  2016 teal/gray set for me, and also 2016 cranberry/navy set for me, and 2016 aqua tank for

Her Measurements at the time: waist 26 inches, hip 37 inches

Size Sewn: Waist size Q graded to Hip size S

Started and finished Sewing: 12/02/22

Adjustments:  none

Fabric:  black swim, no idea where or when it was purchased, by this point it was just a scrap

Thoughts:
Miss K had this cute dress she got for homecoming while thrifting.   It was a nice Ann Taylor dress with tags still on it, but she was scared it was a little too short for what she is used to.  The girl doesn’t wear dresses, maybe once every 2 years.  So, she asked for some spanx-like shorts to wear under her dress so she would feel comfier. Yep, I can do that.  So I cut and sewed this pattern up the night before the dance.  They looked tiny as all heck!!! They look like a toddler would wear them! But K says they fit good, and they work well and were exactly what she wanted. So, win for mom!  Below is her homecoming dress. She looks so grown up now!

Pattern:  DIBY (do it better yourself) Billie Wearable Blanket for Miss K

Her Measurements at this time:  Bust 32, waist 26 inches, hip 37 inches

Size Sewn:  size 0 adult, this is a
size small.... I’m a size 18-20 and its huge on me

Started and finished Sewing:  12/16/2022

Adjustments:  per Miss K, no hood. She also wanted the neckline more boatneck so I just winged this part, cut sorta a boat neck, sewed the shoulders and then flipped the neckline to the inside and topstitched.  A little quick and dirty but she doesn’t know.  She also wanted it down to the floor so I made sure to add length to the bottom so it would meet her requirement.

Fabric:  purchased a really soft, thick blanket May 2021. It was “utopia bedding fleece blanket queen size purple luxury bed blanket fuzzy soft microfiber” $19.99 for the blanket.

Thoughts:
 She loves this thing.  It is enormous even for me!  I find it kind of hilarious.  But she wears it all the time and her cat sleeps in the pouch in front.  It was disgusting to sew because ….. minky type fabric is a beast. There was purple fuzz everywhere and my poor machines. They got a good cleaning afterwards. I have a decent amount of the purple “fabric” left because I used a queen sized blanket.  It is a cheap way to get some good, thick, fuzzy material when you want a robe or a snuggie or a wearable blanket.

she wanted a wearable blanket. ok this is a bathrobe without an opening. call it what it is. but the hip thing is to call it a wearable blanket. a snuggie. it weighs like 20lbs and I can’t believe my serger tore thru 3 layers in spots. I
didn’t measure any hem. I winged it all. I sewed at lightning speed and cursed and sweated the whole time. my best work? no. my fastest? maybe lol.

Happy Sewing!

Kristin

 

Pajamas! Ottobre 02/2017 Fancy Pjs and a Nightgown

Ottobre 02/17 #14 wide leg pant Measurements at the time: High bust: 37, Bust 39, Waist 32, Hip 47 Date started and finished: 09/03/19, and then they sat for 3 years waiting for the top to be sewn. Size sewn: 50 Alterations: added ¼” to front thigh at crotch tapering to 0 at inner thigh Scooped ¼” off front crotch curve Lowered front rise by 3.5” Took in 1.5” on waist tapering to 0 at hip front and back Fabric: 2 yards of a mystery fabric. It is polyester, shiny on one side with striations in the fabric and matte on the other. It is soft and silky feeling. I’m not sure what it is, except that it’s slipper and polyester.  I got it when Hancock was going out of business.  I had 10 freaking yards of this stuff, and it was only like $0.10/yard. lol. (Hancock label calls it "Dull satin" and internet searches call it hammered satin). I’ve had it in my stash for well over 10 years now. I used this fabric when I made my Jalie Melanie Kimono robe back in 2018 and I still have 3 yards left of it after this pj outfit.   Ottobre 02/2017 #13 Swing top: Measurements at the time are the same as above for pants. Date started: 09/03/19  Date finished: 10/28/22 Size sewn: 42 shoulder, 44 bust/waist, 50 hip Alterations: added 2” to facing hem length so it wouldn’t cut me in the middle of the bust – well now my bust has grown with my weight, and it cuts me right in the middle. Sewing: sewing the straps were a major pain in the ass with this silky, slippery fabric. Stuffing them into the back “holes” between the fabric and facing were a total challenge. Many swear words ensued. I sewed a rolled hem instead of a flip and flip hem because I thought it would be easier on this silky, slippery fabric. I thought it would make the hem flare out cute too. On the facing hem I did do a flip, flip and sew tiny ¼” hem. Because the neck was already sewn up with the facing, under stitching the facing to the armpits absolutely sucked and was darn near impossible. Fabric: 2 yards of the same fabric as for pants Thoughts: Well, this is the right type of fabric for this pj set but I hated sewing with it. It was such a pain. I do love the pants. They are fun and slippery to wear. The top seems huge and sack-like. It is not very flattering at all. I’m not sure how I feel about it yet. I’ll give it a wear for awhile before I decide. I think that now that I gained weight I’m not used to my body or comfortable with it. My bust has grown quite a bit and it makes the tops seem huge and sack-like on me, while it eliminates my waist. I must fit the bust and this makes the waist bigger. Back in 2019 when I started this my bust was 39 inches. It had been that way for a long time, and I was used to it. Now here in 2022 I have a 42” bust and those 3” make a big difference, lol. My waist went from a stable 32” to a thyroid belly of 39” – that’s been the hardest to accept.   Ottobre 02/2017 #11 – Tee Shirt Dress Made once before in June 2018, my blue crosses nightgown. If I fit in it, I would still wear it. I love it. My measurements at the time: 38 high bust, 42 bust, 38.5 waist, 49 hips Started and finished sewing: 10/31/22 Size Sewn: Bust 46, Waist 50, Hip 52 Alterations: I didn’t sew this with bindings, I used neckbands (at ½”) and sleeve bands (at ¾”) 1/2” forward shoulder adjustment After sewing I tried it on and it was way too big in the neck and bust so I took out 2” at the neck tapering down 11” to 0 at about the waist area. In the future I would make the bust 44 and the waist 48 instead of 46/50. (left picture above is before altering when it was way too big. right picture is the pieces I took out from neck to about waist. I basically made a dart in the center back).  Instructions: This is a simple T-shirt dress. I sewed it up without looking at the instructions. It was super-fast. Fabric: 2 yards - White/Fuchsia/Turquoise/Multi 100% Cotton Plus Sign Design Interlock Knit; purchased Feb 2018 in Fabric Mart’s wonderful precut sale. 2 yards for $3.20 total. (Please bring back the precut sale!!). Thoughts: I made this for a nightgown, I love it for that purpose. Let’s be real here, I don’t leave the house unless I have a doctor’s appointment, so many times I just wear the nightgown all day. It is soft and comfortable, easy to throw on and go. The interlock is thicker and less stretchy than most knits, but it works well in this dress. I have no complaints!   Health and Life update: Wow, we have had a hard couple months here in the SunnySewing house. I feel like I say that all the time, but really, these last 3 months have been hard.  So my soulmate, love of my life, Cheeto had to have Knee,acl surgery in November. I embroidered his soft cone, but funny enough, he was never interested in licking his leg so he wore it maybe 2 hours and one night. Now this surgery is a 3 month recovery and that all falls on me……  To make this worse, the VERY SAME DAY Kiela came down with Covid….. 3 days later I got it…. and 2 days later my husband got it.  It was ROUGH.  a dog with recent surgery and 3 people so sick they couldn't get out of bed. we were all miserable.  We all had our vaccinations and boosters but man that stuff hit us HARD and FAST and omg it lasted forever. I think I’m finally ( a month later) back to my normal cruddy self. Now sadly the worst part. My husbands Grandma that I love dearly passed away just as we were getting over Covid. She lost her battle with cancer.  It was so sad and so hard. During Christmas I kept reaching for the phone to call her, text her, ask her questions or share what decorations of hers we put up (as we called her every year about these things).  I loved her as my own Grandma, she was the best.   Oh, and Tayden (now 20yrs old), moved out with his friend to be closer to college.  I thought I would be more happy about that but I’m so worried and its weird with him gone from the house. So yeah, not so fun stuff around here. that covid knocked me so hard I haven’t been able to do much these last 2 months in my sewing room. But I have a backlog again of projects to share.  And Feb 28 I have my yearly MRI to see what George the Tumor is up too.    I hope all is well with all of you and that you had wonderful holidays! Happy Sewing! Kristin