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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: 1*sewer
Date: 12-11-2005, 02:15 AM (1 of 28)
I just let my 2 year old pick out some flannel for pajama pants and he is so thrilled. When I got home and looked at it the selvage piece said not for children's sleepwear.  My heart is broken! I am a beginner sewer and I am looking for any suggestions as to an alternative project for him using this material. Although I can't use this for children's sleepwear and I am assuming maybe it doesn't meet the state flamability requirements or something, what else can I do? Any suggestions will be great!By the way, just for info what do I look for in picking flannels for sleepwear or any kind of clothing? Will it explicitly say that it can be used for particular projects? Thanks for your help  
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User: 1*sewer
Member since: 09-09-2005 Total posts: 27 |
From: Sherri
Date: 12-11-2005, 11:06 AM (2 of 28)
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All flannel says this because it is not treated with a flame retardant. I still make PJs out of it especially if it has a high cotton amount in it. Sher My website
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User: Sherri
Member since: 02-07-2001 Total posts: 357 |
From: sewingrandma
Date: 12-11-2005, 12:58 PM (3 of 28)
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I still use the flannel for pjs for my grands. The parents are aware. There is no smoking in the house, no open flames and I make sure the pjs fit closely, no big billowing sleeves or legs to catch on anything just in case. I have yet to find any flame retardant flannel that looks cute or feels comfy and warm. Most is so thin you could read the news paper thru it.
Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: debsews
Date: 12-11-2005, 01:50 PM (4 of 28)
| I always use flannel for pj's and I've told the parents too. As for the flame retardant stuff I can never find it around here. I use flannel with a high cotton count as well and I think it's ok. You can always take a piece outside and do a burn test to see what it does. That might make you feel better about it. |
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 254 |
From: hopecantu
Date: 12-12-2005, 12:24 AM (5 of 28)
I just went through the same thing yesterday. I went to buy some flannel for my grandsons pj's and noticed the same thing on them. When I went to talk with the ladies in the cutting section they said they do that just to cover themselves but everyone uses the flannels for pj's. She did show me 3 bolts(thats all we could find) of the material that is not flammable and it was not pretty. What she said to me was...... The other thing to think about is that a child is sleeping on bed linen that is all flamable and God forbid it ever did happen, everything in the house and parents clothes is flammable. It puts a big quilt trip on us doesnt it.... ?? 
Blessings
Hope |
User: hopecantu
Member since: 11-28-2005 Total posts: 29 |
From: SummersEchos
Date: 12-12-2005, 12:35 AM (6 of 28)
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I would use it to make him some PJ's. I worked at a fabric store and people buy flannel all the time to make the cute pj bottoms that everyone seems to wear. Our homes are not made out of flame retardent material, either is our beds. I think the cue here is the child and the parents. If you really think about it, and the enviroment the child is in, then I would go from there.
Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: patti2
Date: 12-12-2005, 08:34 AM (7 of 28)
| I totally agree. I make flannel pjs for all of my children and now my grandkids. The environment and no flowing sleeves or bottoms is the important thing. |
User: patti2
Member since: 05-28-2005 Total posts: 78 |
From: Mom of Six
Date: 12-12-2005, 09:16 AM (8 of 28)
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I also use flannel for Pjs. I won't buy the flame retardent stuff because it is treated with chemicals & my kids have sensitive skin. Also the flame retardent fabric doesn't prevent burns. Some of it actually melts instead of flaming up which can cause worse skin burns than the flames. if you use common sense & keep kids away from open flames any fabric should be OK. If it is a house fire I don't think the PJs. they are wearing will make a big difference.
Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
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From: Amie
Date: 12-12-2005, 10:21 AM (9 of 28)
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I totally agree with all the ladies. Go ahea and make the pj's. I make them for my son. We don't smoke or have a fireplace. If the house catches on fire, those special pj's aren't going to save them.
AMIEMama to Gavin, 3 ½ years oldKenmore 385.12116690
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User: Amie
Member since: 12-01-2005 Total posts: 21 
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From: Pudge99
Date: 12-12-2005, 10:57 AM (10 of 28)
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The big difference between sleepwear flannel and normal flannel is fiber content. The sleepwear flannel is polyester (plastic). Plastic generally does not produce flames when it burns it just melts (hence the term "flame" retardant). Personally I would rather my child know that they are on fire and be able to do the stop, drop, and roll technique then to just have their clothes melt into their skin. I have watched someone wearing a polyester sweater catch "fire". I was standing behind her in line for the torch in Jewelry and Metals class. All the sudden the color of her sleeve started getting darker (there were never any flames). It started at the cuff and worked its way up her arm before we got the sweater off her. She had a few things going for her. It was the late '80s so the sweater was big and baggy and it didn't imediately melt into her skin. The teacher was actually paying attention and knew what was happening. I was standing behind her and actually paid attention to the teacher when he yelled at me to "Get it off her now!". Most kids didn't listen when this teacher yelled. This girl had no clue why I was trying to get her sweater off her. She had no clue that she was on "fire". OH and the smell, it was horrid! Burning plactic ewww!!! Here is another thing. If you buy the chemically treated fabric it often says that if you dry it in the dryer or use fabric softener or bleach then it voids the flame retardant. UUGH to much hastle! Just give me 100% cotton flannel that I can bleach, soften and dry as I want and I know that my children will know that their clothes have caught fire. Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: 1*sewer
Date: 12-12-2005, 04:22 PM (11 of 28)
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Thank you all so very much! I've been pondering whether to go ahead and do it or just try to find something else. After reading all of your opinions, I have come to the decision of going ahead and making the PJ's for my baby. Afterall, I have to agree that nothing is completely fire resistant. All of the info and the tips about not too much excess material has been so helpful seeing that I am a newbie to sewing. My little man is going to be so excited since he's been asking for his basketball pajama pants! Tomarrow I am going to prewash his fabric and cut out the pattern pieces. Again thank you all very, very much!! 
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User: 1*sewer
Member since: 09-09-2005 Total posts: 27 |
From: paroper
Date: 12-12-2005, 06:14 PM (12 of 28)
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I've heard firemen say that the bedroom is one of the most volitile rooms in the house. They say a fire starting near the bed can race through in nothing flat. Couple that with the polyester bedding (including pillows and blankets) and the toxins will probably get them before the flames. I would and I have used the cotton flannel without any guilt. I too would rather the child know to stop drop and roll than to melt!
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 12-13-2005, 11:28 AM (13 of 28)
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I am glad to here you are going to make his basketball pajamas. One thing though is don't make them too snug. I once bought some ready to wear that were so snug I couldn't get them over my son's head, even two sizes larger the head whole was too small. My boys both like releaxed fit pajamas. The are not baggy or floppy but there is room to move and breath in them. Look out! Pajama pants making can be quite addictive. I find myself always checking the remnant bins for bits of flannel for PJ's. 
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: hopecantu
Date: 12-13-2005, 01:22 PM (14 of 28)
Gina do you use any pattern or is there one that you like more than another. For pj pants that is.... 
Blessings
Hope |
User: hopecantu
Member since: 11-28-2005 Total posts: 29 |
From: mommydionne
Date: 12-13-2005, 01:25 PM (15 of 28)
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Also you might want to preshrink your flannel twice (washer and dryer) it is amazing how much it shrinks the second time. BTW my hubbies military flight suit is WOOL not this polyester stuff. If you burn test wool actually self extinguishes.
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: Mom of Six
Date: 12-13-2005, 02:26 PM (16 of 28)
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My favorite for PJ pants is old so the pattern # isn't good anymore. But I like the ones with only 1 pattern piece. They sew up so fast, just the crotch & leg seam then hem & elastic. They go really quick on the serger but I still use my reg. machine for the elastic casing. I just don't have good luck with the serger on that part. I guess I need more practice. Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115
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From: Pudge99
Date: 12-13-2005, 04:43 PM (17 of 28)
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My favorite patterns and my suggestion for anyone who wants patterns for kids are the Kwik Sew Books. I have almost every book they have made. The really nice thing about them is that as you go from book to book the directions stay pretty much the same. So as your child grows all you have to do is cut out the next size and sew it up. You can also with a little thought and brain power take design changes from one book and apply them to something from another. For intsance all the books have patterns for Hoodies but the Baby one doesn't explain zippers, the Children one does so I just took the instuctions and applied it to the baby jacket the zipper turned out beautifully.
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: debsews
Date: 12-13-2005, 05:39 PM (18 of 28)
| Do you get the patterns in the book? Do you have to trace patterns from the book? I guess I don't understand how this works. I'm not that advanced to be able to do something without a pattern to follow? I need to do a little research on this! |
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 254 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 12-13-2005, 10:42 PM (19 of 28)
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Yes the patterns come in the book and you trace off the master patterns. I use tissue paper from the dollar store. If it is one that I use a lot I glue stick my tissue pattern to cardboard or poster board to reinforce it.
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: paroper
Date: 12-14-2005, 12:04 AM (20 of 28)
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I use the 77 yard tracing paper found here. It is the same basic paper as doctors' medical paper that is found on tables. It is light weight and easy to see through. Even when I was sewing professionally, a roll of paper would last many years. http://swn-archive.sew-whats-up.com/t-17601.html&goto=newpost pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: sewingrandma
Date: 12-14-2005, 08:07 AM (21 of 28)
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I agree with Gina on the Kwik Sew books for sewing. They do come with all the pattern pieces needed to make what they show, plus they give directions on how to change these basic pieces into something different. A basic T to a polo shirt, or a henley shirt, a girls dress, jackets from shirts. I have all the ones for children. Yes, you do have to trace the patterns as they are printed on heavy paper on both sides and all sizes are given. Babies from NB to 18 months, toddlers up to size 4 and children from 4-12. I love the way the clothing fits the grands and the directions are clear and easy. I use paper from a medical supply store-it's the paper to cover the exam table. It lasts forever.
Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: paroper
Date: 12-14-2005, 08:33 AM (22 of 28)
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I'm sorry, I just realized that my link didn't work. Try this: http://www.clotilde.com/cl/product_group.asp?listtype=search&searchterm=paper&go.x=21&go.y=6&dept_name=Search+Result%3A+paper&g_id=116747 pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: 1*sewer
Date: 12-18-2005, 12:22 AM (23 of 28)
All of this information is great!! I am also going to look into buying those kwik sew books for kids seeing that I have a 2 year old and another on the way! I really like the ideas too for tracing paper and reinforcing patterns. This is a great site for beginner sewers and I thank all of you for being so kind and sharing a lot of information that you learned from your experiences. It has been a BIG help for me and I am sure for others also!!! 
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User: 1*sewer
Member since: 09-09-2005 Total posts: 27 |
From: pucktricks
Date: 12-23-2005, 10:45 PM (24 of 28)
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I use the fusible interfacing from Joann's for tracing patterns. They'll have their lightweight on sale 10 yards for a $1, and I'll buy lots then. Don't get the Sew and Go kids, the directions are confusing and the quality of the pattern paper isn't as good (you don't have to trace it though, it's just normal pattern paper). Okay, gotta go, actually playing a computer game. Ticia |
User: pucktricks
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 570 
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From: bridesmom
Date: 12-27-2005, 01:51 PM (25 of 28)
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Ticia, how in the world do you play a computer game at the same time as you are surfing through the SWN website. If I get onto SWN, everything else comes to a standstill!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 12-27-2005, 01:52 PM (26 of 28)
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Where do you get the Kwik Sew books for Kids? I've never heard of them or seen them here. Am making a trip South today so I'll check in Joanns, if I'm allowed to go in there (hahaha)
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: pucktricks
Date: 12-29-2005, 11:50 AM (27 of 28)
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Well, it's simple.... See in the game there's these "huge blocks of time" (huge being more than 10 seconds) where I'm traveling and not doing anything I need to react to. So I just pop onto Sew What's New and read a post, then I go back to my game see where my gryphon is and if I have time I come back here. I just keep going back and forth. As to where you can find the books, probably at Joann's, what I did was I got them off of Amazon and got the used books from them (works great, it usually costs less even with shipping). Ticia |
User: pucktricks
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 570
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From: Pudge99
Date: 12-29-2005, 03:21 PM (28 of 28)
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Hancock sells them or you can get them online. Find a dealer in Canada here (http://www.kwiksew.com/Dealer_Listing/page0.cfm).
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
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