1930s Rain Storm Pajamas

Flashback Summer - 1930s beach pajamas, Wearing History Lounging at the Lido pattern

Flashback Summer - 1930s beach pajamas, Wearing History Lounging at the Lido pattern

Yes, these are technically 1930s beach pajamas, but during the photo shoot for this post they turned into rain storm pajamas.

It was sprinkling a little the day of the shoot, but photos needed to happen nonetheless. I planned on going to a lake nearby because, sadly, there is no actual beach in Missouri on which I could actual model these beach pajamas.  However, when Jacob and I got there, the rain did not let up as I thought it would; it turned into a thunderstorm.  Then into a severe storm.  Then the tornado sirens started going off.

So… as a true Midwesterner, I checked for funnel clouds and a green sky, and seeing none… I finished the photo shoot.  Under a pavilion near the lake.


Flashback Summer - 1930s beach pajamas, Wearing History Lounging at the Lido pattern

Perhaps these aren't the best photos I've ever taken, but considering it was done during a severe storm, they aren't so bad are they?!  The blog must go on!

Anyway, to the pattern details!  I created these pajamas from the Wearing History "Lounging at the Lido" e-pattern.  There are a LOT of pages to print out for this e-pattern (due to those ginormously, fabulously wide pants pieces!), but the e-patterns are a cost-effective way to get Wearing History style into your closet.  Here are my thoughts on the project and details you may find useful if you want to try it out yourself:

Skills You Need to Know Before You Start
  • Bias tape binding - This is how the arm holes are finished
  • Darts - There are two on the front bodice pieces
  • Sewing points - The front and back of the bodice have points at the bottom, and this can be a bit tricky if you haven't practiced it
  • Buttonholes - However you want to do them, you'll need a bunch down the back


Flashback Summer - 1930s beach pajamas, Wearing History Lounging at the Lido pattern

Flashback Summer - 1930s beach pajamas, Wearing History Lounging at the Lido pattern

Fit and Ease of the Pattern
The fit of this pattern is a pretty typical, baggy 30s fit.  I sized down on the bodice, as I often do with 30s and 40s patterns.  I used the 30" bust bodice pattern, but I graded it to the next size up near the hip area at the bottom.  This fit worked well for my measurements (32"-24"-35").
The pattern also recommended checking the armscye depth, and I completely agree with that advice!  The fit on this pattern is pretty snug around the arm, so I highly recommend measuring the pattern and adjusting before cutting your fashion fabric.  Lastly, this pattern seems petite.  I didn't have to change the length of anything on a combo of the two smallest sizes, and I'm 5' tall.  I didn't shorten the pants pieces or anything, so unless you are also petite, you may find it useful to check this first.

Things I Changed
  • Buttons I added one more button to the back.  The pattern calls for three, but with four large ones I still have a bit of gaping at the top between my shoulders when I move. I know others have used far more buttons, so depending on how much security you'd like to have, I'd consider using more than the pattern calls for.
  • Waist ties The pattern says to cut two slits in the front of the bodice to run the ties through. I just sewed the ties onto the bodice, like Lauren did with the pattern sample.

Flashback Summer - 1930s beach pajamas, Wearing History Lounging at the Lido pattern

To find out all the details of this awesome hat, check out my previous post!

Flashback Summer - 1930s beach pajamas, Wearing History Lounging at the Lido pattern

Unclear Things/ Tricky things
There isn't a whole lot of instruction with the pattern and no diagrams, so I'd suggest having help if you're a beginner.  (However, if you've sewn a bit before, especially pants, you shouldn't have a problem.)  It's pretty straightforward!
I struggled with the back point where the bodice and trousers meet. I tried it a couple times and still had a bit of a wrinkle in the seam where I couldn't get the two bodice pieces and trouser pieces to line up quite right. However… I have trouble with points, admittedly, and the addition of two sides of a bodice to line up was apparently a bit much for my skills!

Moments of Pride in This Project
I sewed the front point where the bodice and trousers meet really well!  I'm quite proud of that actually.  Also, I'm glad my pattern grading worked in fitting my hips better than the smallest size would have.  There's no shame in sizing up!  A good fit is better than claiming a smaller size that doesn't look right.

Flashback Summer - 1930s beach pajamas, Wearing History Lounging at the Lido pattern

Flashback Summer - 1930s beach pajamas, Wearing History Lounging at the Lido pattern

Moments of... Eh, I'll Do Better Next Time...
  • The back of the collar doesn't lay quite right.  It's my own fault.  I didn't account for both a button and a bias facing on the collar, so I need to go back and cut a slit in the facing to put the button through.  Duh, Emileigh!  I think I'll also need to put a snap in between the buttons.  That's kind of jerry-rigging a solution to the gap you see in the picture below, but it's a lot easier than adding a lot more buttons!
  • The back point of the bodice… is just not done so well.  Like I explained above.

Flashback Summer - 1930s beach pajamas, Wearing History Lounging at the Lido pattern

Pattern Conclusions
I love this pattern!  As with every other Wearing History pattern I've tried, this one is great.  I'm looking forward to trying it in different fabrics for different occasions. I may not have much call for more beach pajamas (although this is going to be great summer wear!), but a version of these made up in something silky or soft like a jersey would be fantastic for hanging out in the house. It's quick to make up, too. (It took me two evenings to do everything.)

Flashback Summer - 1930s beach pajamas, Wearing History Lounging at the Lido pattern

Here is a summary of the pattern details and things I changed:
Fabric: vintage cotton and navy cotton sateen
Pattern: Wearing History "Lounging at the Lido" e-Pattern
Year: 1930s
Notions: buttons
How historically accurate is it? Honestly, I think it's accurate, but I'm not super up on 1930s beach pajama construction. I know they had plastic buttons and cotton back then, so I'm thinking it's pretty accurate.
Any tricky parts to the pattern?  I talk about this more above, but point on the back of the bodice was the hardest part for me.
Did you change anything?  I just graded the bodice top from the 30" bust size to the 35" hip size at the bottom.
Time to complete: two evenings
First worn: 29 May 2015
Total cost: I got the pattern with the coupon code I won from Wearing History in a photo contest. The fabric was gifted to me and from my stash, and the cotton sateen was about $30 for four yards.
Notes: I've gone into great detail above!  I like this pattern!

Have any of you tried out this pattern or know someone who has?  Please add the link and lets help future sewists have a database of good info and pictures of this pattern!


Other versions of this pattern:
Girl with the Star-Spangled Heart - version 1 and 2
Salvia's version

19 comments

  1. I love the color palette you chose for these, and they look super comfy for lounging around in. I had an interesting experience with a bunch of friends from other areas of the country when I was living in CA several years ago. There was a massive thunderstorm and many of them were getting nervous, but I couldn't understand why because the sky wasn't green, so clearly everything was totally fine.

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    1. Haha, I know, right?! You gotta know the signs. So you can stay on your porch and watch right up until the last moment! ;)

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  2. This is such a lovely outfit. Thinking they may make fantastic summer pyjamas

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  3. Can I say AMAZING!!!!! I love this outfit tremendously. The color scheme you paired with the solid and the lovely floral combination so beautiful. It looks like you truly stepped out of the 1930s. This pattern looks fabulous on you. Beach PJs are becoming quite the rage:) They are also so hard to come by in their original condition so A+ to you for creating this masterpiece. I'm sure you will get emails from people asking you to make them for you. Love this outfit Emileigh. You are an inspiring seamstress.

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    1. Thank you so much, Joanna! And thank you for the fabric! When I got the hat from Tanith in the mail, I immediately thought of that fabric and knew it simply MUST become beach pyjamas! Original pajamas ARE hard to find, so I figured if I ever wanted to try them out, I'd have to make my own. Now that I have, I love them! They're like the vintage version of t-shirts and sweatpants, but CUTER!

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  4. Absolutely stunning! Love the pattern and I definitely love the fabrics you choose!

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  5. These are so yummy! I love the fabric you choose. The colors are gorgeous.

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  6. This outfit is great! The fabric is amazing and paired with the hat...sigh...perfect.

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  7. Lovely! I'm going to have to try this pattern!

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  8. I love these! The fabric is so pretty and the outfit matches your new hat perfectly!

    www.pearlsandpurlsvintage.blogspot.com

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  9. These Pajamas turned out lovely Emileigh! I love the print and color combination that you chose!

    Brigid
    the Middle Sister and Singer

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  10. These are awesome! And I love that you've linked to other people's versions too - it's very helpful to see it made up in different colours and fabrics. I like the idea of them being lounging pyjamas. I do spend a lot more time lounging than at the beach :)

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  11. These are awesome! And I love that you've linked to other people's versions too - it's very helpful to see it made up in different colours and fabrics. I like the idea of them being lounging pyjamas. I do spend a lot more time lounging than at the beach :)

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  12. Your summer "me made" wardrobe is amazing! I'm loving all the cool sets that you've whipped up - the upcycled romper set comes to mind - but this might be my new favorite! I love the style and the colors, and you look gorgeous in it, especially with that hat. I can't wait to see what you come up with next.
    <3, Zella Maybe

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  13. They are so, so sensational and look like nothing short of a million dollars on you!

    ♥ Jessica

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  14. These look so amazing, you are very talented indeed! I really like the combination of floral and plain fabric, so pretty, and like you have just stepped out of the 1930's. They go beautifully with the hat too.

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  15. Amaaaaahzing! this is absolutely beautiful!

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  16. Such a cute outfit once again Emileigh! I really love the colors of the floral fabric, and the navy blue is a stellar choice to pair with it. I'm so craving more navy in my wardrobe, and you are totally inspiring me with this amazing outfit. ❤

    xox,
    bonita of Lavender & Twill

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  17. I almost bought this pattern as I am heading to the seaside for my birthday next week and wanted to wear beach pyjamas - it was so good to find your blog post! Now I can see the pitfalls and possible problems the pattern poses .. and I have so little time for sewing! Also, as I'm in the UK I'd have to download the E-pattern which is a whole evening of printing, taping and cutting too. I think I'll just to have a buy a new frock for my birthday and make the pattern as a lounge suit as you suggested..
    Thank you - your outfit looks divine!

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