Charity Sewing using Jalie’s Martin Pattern

Recently our sewing group took on a challenge to sew PJ bottoms for our Quinte West Adopt a Child program. In previous years, we used a free pattern that I found on the internet for charity sewing,  but after teaching Jalie’s Martin Lounge Pant in some classes, and sewing a bunch for class samples and the men in my life, I decided to use that pattern for our PJ bottoms.

Due to the fact that we planned to make a lot of these, I streamlined the pattern to make the process as easy as possible. Some in our group don’t even sew clothes, (they’re quilters) but they wanted to help too.

The children we clothe range in size from infant to teen.  I NEVER cut my master patterns, choosing to trace instead.

These are the Original Pattern Pieces of Jalie’s Martin that I Adapted for Charity Sewing

For this project I traced the main pieces of 6 sizes; F, H, J, M, Q and U. (Front A, back B, and center-back C), without the faux-fly extension on the front, no grain-line on the back, and no back pocket.

These are the Streamlined Pattern Pieces

To further streamline the process, I eliminated the side-seam by taping A and B together at the side, overlapping the pieces by the seam allowances. (3/8” x 2, so 3/4 of an inch). The notches were traced inward. I wrote the length of the elastic needed for that size on each pattern piece.

Overlapped Front and Back to Become 1 Pattern Piece

Now cutting became simple. We placed our fabric with good sides together and used the front grain-line to place the pattern pieces. The person cutting marked the notches on the wrong side of the fabric.  Piece C was cut on the fold as directed.

Another person cut elastic, wrote the size on a piece of ribbon and pinned those to the cut-out pieces.

Volunteers with sergers joined the center front, inserted the center back, serged the inseam and finished the waist and leg bottoms.
Volunteers with sewing machines sewed a waist casing and hemmed the legs. Another inserted the elastic, joined the ends and sewed the opening at the back waist after inserting the ribbon with the size.

Then a piece of green tape with the size was taped onto each completed pair.

We made 68, all with donated fabric and dedication.  If you’d like a printable PDF on our process please email me at yvettechilcott@yahoo.ca and I’ll send it to you.

The Gift Bags for the Quinte West Adopt-a-Child Program, plus the PJ’s and the Cutest Crocheted Dolls you ever saw.

I wrote a post a few years ago when we did something similar.

I strongly believe that we all have something to give and am very fortunate in that I know the joy in giving.

I’ve spent most of my adult life sharing my skills with others, and trying to make a difference in others’ lives, be it by teaching classes, mentoring a sewing group, or actively listening when someone speaks.  Here a just a few of my “sewing sistas” that participated this year.  I love this photo!