I just made a flannel nightgown for Chloe for Christmas.  This full-length nightgown will be super-warm and cuddly for her.  It will be her gift to open on Christmas Eve 🙂

I used a soft flannel, a pink Hello Kitty print that I got from Jo-Ann a few years ago.  I believe I purchased this fabric right before we adopted Chloe, knowing I would want to make her a nightgown.  Yes, 2013 was the year it was finally made!  Only took me about 5 years…

I used McCall’s pattern M6459.  I like the design of the top of the nightgown, with the bias tape.  I made the size 7 version, which was the smallest of the package sizes.  That meant pattern tracing, since I like to leave open the possibility of making one of the larger sizes at some point.  Tracing a pattern is really no big deal with the ginormous wax tracing paper sheets I found at A Fashionable Stitch.

At the bias tape intersections I hand-stitched some little silk ribbon rosebuds.  I’ve always loved those little things – they’re so sweet and simple.  I couldn’t decide between red or white, so I ended up tacking a few together into a little bouquet and stitched them right on.

Here are the mods I made:
– Don’t cut out ruffle pattern piece, just cut 3 rectangles 5.25″ x WOF (width of fabric)
– Use twill tape since I didn’t have any stay tape.  Worked just fine.
– Finish the front/back sides and sleeve seam with french seams.  I used the How to Sew a French Seam Tutorial by Craftsy.
– Since my girl is a size 6, cut 2″ off the front/back length, as well as 1″ off the sleeve length.
– Place the elastic sleeve cuff 2″ from the end of the sleeve (not 3.5″ per the pattern).
– Use a generous 8″ of elastic for the sleeve cuffs, so they’re nice and comfy and loose.
– Serge the armhole and ruffle seams to finish.
– Apply sew-on snaps at the back neck opening (not button/thread loop per pattern).

Frustrations:
– None.  Like the pattern cover says, it’s “Easy”.  It really was.

Rewards:
– The Hello Kitty flannel is so soft and cozy!
– I got to use some red bias tape from my grandma’s sewing stash.  I love using her supplies.  So nostalgic.
– The french seams made the seams a bit heavy, but I think that’s great for this project.  A semi-weighted and warm nightgown is just the ticket for the cold Idaho winter.

Changes if I make this again:
– Without Chloe trying it on, it’s hard to say if I’d change anything.  It looks so cute, I wouldn’t change anything to the appearance – we’ll see how it fits.  If there are any fitting issues, I’ll update this post.