Pink Pajamas & Best Movie Costuming
I used my standard pajama pattern to make these (New Look 6142) but changed up the top a bit (I felt like I had to - how many times have I made these?!). This time I cut out the top as two sizes bigger than usual, and then measured on myself where I wanted a seam under the bust to hit, and cut it across horizontally there. I then placed the piece back on the pattern and cut it out to my usual size along the sides. I then zigzagged a small piece of elastic vertically in the center of the this top piece to create a line down the bust. With the bottom piece, I measured 1” down along the sides, and then cut it to angle up to the center fold. I ran a couple rows of gathering stitches so I could pull in the center, and attached it to the top piece. I finished sewing the top together as usual, and added some lace at the bottom of the top and pants to make it cuter. And that’s all it took to get some new pajamas for Valentine’s Day!
With Valentine’s Day approaching, I thought I’d list some of my favorite old movies with great costuming. I narrowed it down to five (which was hard - I definitely have more favorites!) that would be fun to watch this time of year… and maybe inspire some future sewing!
To Catch a Thief - I would love to have every single one of Grace Kelly’s outfits from this one! The blue draped one is my absolute favorite, but the only one I’ve loosely copied so far is her pink one (see this blog post). But the whole movie is great - Cary Grant is full of dry humor and they both have some fantastic one-liners.
How to Steal a Million - Audrey Hepburn wears some of my favorite outfits ever in this one (plus it’s a cute plotline with witty dialog between her and Peter O’Toole)! Her black lace dress is STUNNING!
The Great Race - This is a long, a bit-over-the-top movie, but Natalie Wood gets some of the best dresses (and corset) ever. I love early 20th century styles, and while this is the 1960’s version of them, she still look gorgeous. I’d be hard pressed to choose a favorite (but maybe her wedding dress)…
Cleopatra (but really only the second half) - The first half of this movie is fine, but it’s in the second half that Elizabeth Taylor gets amazing outfits and hairstyles. Right on par with “The Ten Commandments.” And the scenery is spectacular too!
Scaramouche - This is one of my absolute favorite movies! Amazing sword fights, hilarious dialogue, and gorgeous costumes round out this one. Even the men’s outfits are fantastic in this one. Plus, did I mention sword fights?
