Girl of Many Nightgowns

One of the many pleasures I've had in having a daughter, is sewing her clothes. When I bought my first sewing machine about 20 years ago, I bought it to sew window treatments. I made valances and Roman shades and curtains for my new house. I was just trying to save money at the time. I had no experience in sewing, except for home-ec class, and no one in my family could show me how to sew. Fortunately, sewing window treatments only requires sewing straight lines. As long I could imagine it in my head and measure correctly, I could make just about any window treatment I wanted.

When my boys were little, I ventured into sewing clothes, but other than pajamas, sewing for boys is really not much fun. Boys' clothes generally come in khaki and navy blue, and frankly, I'd rather just support the clothing industry for khaki and navy blue britches.

But, when my daughter was born, I knew I was headed for some fun stuff. Fabrics for girls are just so colorful and cute. And patterns are so pretty. So, for several years I've been sewing her pajamas and now nightgowns and some dresses and shorts outfits. It's very pleasurable. I can doll her up all I want -- at least as much as my little doll will tolerate. Peach still loves pretty, ruffly clothes, and by making them myself, I can make them to suit her taste (and my desire for a little modesty).

I recently finished making some nightgowns, and I share these pictures with you because if you don't sew and you have a daughter or daughters, it's really worthwhile to learn how. I always buy fabric on sale and, with a little help from the clearance rack at the end of the season, I managed to make each nightgown for around $5. Where can you get a nice, new nightgown for $5? One I even made from an old top bed sheet. We have several sets in which the bottom sheet just got too thin, but the top sheet is laundered to nice and soft, with plenty of wear left -- perfect for a summer gown -- for free! I even have half that sheet left for some baby doll pajamas and another top sheet waiting for another nightgown. That's my favorite form of recycling! Can you guess which one is made from the sheet?

This one and the next one are flannel gowns.
I bought the fabric on sale at the end of the season
and made them long enough for next year.
The one above has ribbon ties on the sleeves, instead of elastic.
Peach likes a 3/4 sleeve instead of full length because she tends to get hot in bed.
The pattern for these two gowns calls for a short sleeve,
but I lengthen them for winter nightgowns.

This one is from the same pattern package as the one above,
but is more summery.
I've been using the same pattern in various sizes for year.
It's a lot easier to sew something once you've gone through the pattern one time,
and I think just changing the fabric and trim makes each nightgown original
enough even though I've used the same pattern.
The one above has a big wrinkle down the middle where it was folded in her drawer.
I guess I should hang her nightgowns!

And this one is the "sheetgown."
Since the fabric is plain, I jazzed up the sleeves a little -- giving her "princess" sleeves,
and embroidered some flowers and a butterfly on the front.
She's modeling it with a pair of pajamas underneath.
Normally we don't wear both :o).

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