sewing mojo

My sewing and crafting mojo left me. No notice. No “if you please”. It just went. For someone who plays fantasy sewing projects in her head when separated from her sewing room, this can be devastating. Imagine writer’s block, but with fabric. Fabric calls to you. Inspiring you to make it into all sorts of gorgeous somethings. With my mojo gone, it was silent. To make matters worse, it was December. December! Running up to gift giving time. Oh. Too. Cruel.

There was one project that I could not let slip. I had planned it in November. Let me set the scene. On Christmas Eve, the children each receive a new pair of pyjamas, a book and a special hot choc. It’s a gentle and calm way to settle them down, before heading to bed, on a night heightened with excitement. Admittedly, they’ve all reached the stage where they no longer find it difficult to slip off to sleep, but it’s a tradition and no one is ready to let go of it.

One day, I will manage to make all three of them pjs, ready to gift on Christmas Eve, but this was not the year. I was thrilled to find the Little Bear pjs, from Next. I added the three children size sets to my basket. Punched the sky and knew I was winning at this parenting thing, if only momentarily.

Then, I spotted the grown-up versions. A Daddy and Mummy Bear version. Should I? I wasn’t sure I could commit to a full on family look, but I was sorely tempted. Although without a dog version on offer, it was always going to be a compromise. Half complete. I mean, she would have stood out.
(Not sure how I managed to miss taking a photo of them all wearing the pjs. Maybe it’s a blessing!)

Back in November, when my crafting mojo was working full out and everything was possible, I came up with a plan. I wasn’t sure how my husband would feel about a pair of pjs with “Daddy” blazoned all over them. I overthought it, as usual. Heaven forbid, but what if he had to go and stay in hospital unexpectedly and they were the only clean pair available? What if one of the Teen’s friends came round really early and he was the one to open the door? OK. I think the last is unlikely. I mean, a teen making it out to our house early, is never going to happen. Like I said, I was overthinking it.

So my plan was to find similar plaid fabric and make trousers. I found a blue and white long sleeved tshirt that matched the children’s’ tops, albeit without the bear and the wording. I could use freezer paper and fabric paint to add a bear, if he wanted it. The whole project would cost less than half the price of buying the pair I was unsure about.

This brings us up to December, when my mojo had packed its bag and left. I hadn’t started the project. Time ticked on and there was no sign of it returning. I had to dig deep. I grabbed time that my husband wasn’t home. Fortunately, he had a whole day in London which helped. The children covered for me. They took over some of my jobs around the house, so he wouldn’t click that I’d been sewing a secret project. They acted as lookouts too. And then it happened. That bit of magic. Sometime between stitching up the side seams and their excitement of being part of it, my love of sewing returned.

I was able to wrap up his pjs, with hand printed wrapping paper, and put them under the tree. He was very pleased with them. Mission accomplished.

So, it’s only me and the hound not swanning around in matching pjs. Someone had to show solidarity with her. I think the plan is to add the bear to my husband’s top. I’m looking forward to doing it. Would you like to see how I do it?

Pyjama pattern is my favourite McCall’s 4244. I’ve made it before (here, here and here). I added a label at the back this time, as requested, so he can tell which way round they go.

I do have a little bit of the fabric left. Hello, sewing mojo. I wonder what I could make…..?