Christmas Nightgown for Chloe
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.
Adorable nightgown! I bet she will love it and be so excited for her new jammies made by mom!
Aw thanks, Lori!
Angela it is absolutely adorable! Hoping mine turns out just as nice. However I have run into a problem I apparently accidentally threw away the guide for the gathers. I am making this gown for a friend with a matching one for the American Girl doll for her to give as a birthday present Sunday and she (who knows nothing about sewing) had her hands all over my patterns and it obviously got lost in the shuffle. Would you be so kind as to share with me the dimensions and marking placements so that I can make a duplicate. Its Friday night @ 11pm so buying another pattern is not an option. Thanks so much.
Hi Joelle! It looks like I’m a little late to respond for your deadline… The gather guide for size 7 was 11.5″. Placement marks starting from left: small circles at 5/8″, 3 3/4″, 7 5/8″, and 10 7/8″; large circles at 2 1/2″ and 8 1/8″.