Sleeping on Velcro?

Stuck on the Flannel Sheets!

Several years ago Mrs. DTFM and I started sleeping on flannel sheets in the winter (we had previously lived in the south where that was not necessary, but NE Ohio in winter is a different situation). Flannel sheets are really cozy and warm, but we quickly discovered that our regular cotton flannel winter pajamas "stuck" to the napped flannel sheets and caused us to wake up whenever we tried to turn over in our sleep...like sleeping on velcro. The answer?

Slippery Sleepwear

To solve the problem we each made new sleepwear from flannel-back satin in solids colors that we found at JO-ANN. The fabric is 100% polyester with a brushed back that is like a low-napped flannel. The slippery surface slides against the flannel sheets, keeps us from "sticking" to the sheets while sleeping and is inherently a little warmer with the brushed reverse side.

As it happens, this fabric comes from my current employer, Springs Creative. There are a dozen colors available at JO-ANN now. http://www.joann.com/flannel-back-satin/prd33702.html

It's easy-care and washes up well, although over time the surface tends to pill a bit, but that doesn't affect the long-term use.

For best results, prewash the fabric to remove the sizing before sewing. This fabric ravels very easily as it's handled, so finishing the edges with a serger or a zig-zag stitch before sewing is recommended.

This year I needed to replace my existing slippery sleepwear. (Even in Rock Hill, it gets cold at night; we just don't have to use the flannel sheets for as many weeks as we did up north.) There are several sleepwear patterns for men available. It's important not to choose a pattern that's intended for knits, as this fabric does not stretch.

Some styles feature button down tops and others are pullover; all the bottoms have elastic or drawstrings for comfort.

I chose this Simplicity pattern and the brown flannel-back satin. The sewing techniques are simple and these pieces make up very quickly; I was finished in a couple of evenings' sewing sessions. I also picked up a piece of the black fabric as well, and plan to make another set soon. It's nice to know I won't be waking up every time I turn over!

Until next time, keep those sewing machines humming, and stay warm in cozy sleepwear that will not keep you awake at night!

DTFM

danthefabricman@yahoo.com