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