Game, Set, Match: Check Out These Inspirational Samford Set Makes
We’re still basking in the perfection of the Peppermint Samford Set, our latest pattern made in collaboration with Sew to Grow’s sensational patternmaker Lindsey Rae.
These dapper day pyjamas can truly do it all. The right fabric and print combo can take you from sleepy-core realness to coastal grandma elegance to coordinated girl boss. Once you get your hands on the pattern – inside Issue 57 or available as a pay-want-you-want digital download – you’ll never want to wear anything else!
To showcase the splendiferous possibilities of the Samford Set and to give you all a healthy dose of sewspo to start your own, we asked five fantastic sewing influencers to create their own versions in a Spoonflower fabric of their choosing.
From @BimbleAndPimble’s fabulously fruity shorts, @ThreadBitchBrighton’s dapper damask, @NeedleAndTheBelle‘s earth-toned excellence to @The.Social.Fabric‘s chook-tastic chickens and @SueChingLascelles’ patchwork perfection! Read on to hear all their secret thoughts on the pattern and get inspired to create your own version!
DOWNLOAD THE PATTERN NOW!
SUE CHING LASCELLES
Fabric Choice: Lightweight Cotton Twill in Trippy Smiley Face Fabric, Pink and Orange Checks, Abstract Ocean and Fruit Bouquet and Edible Flowers Fabric
My newest (now most favourite) set in a matchy-unmatchy print explosion. It’s got hints of holidays but also… workwear? Definitely fun, wearable and hey, yes, fashion!
I was given the opportunity to select some sweet fabrics from Spoonflower to make the newest pattern released by Peppermint – the Peppermint Samford Set by Sew to Grow.
I was not going to let this opportunity go wasted! I chose a selection of gorgeous prints from Tara Normal and Andrea Lauren Design that I thought could work together. I fell in love with Tara’s still-life panel that I used on the back. It’s designed to be used as a DIY tea towel but I knew that it would be amazing as a panel on the shirt so I built the rest of the prints around it.
Sewing notes for sewing friends:
I made just a couple of minor changes to the pattern as I made it. I changed the construction of the collar slightly so that I could omit the back neck facing and have a clean finish on the inside. Instead of two back pockets, I added just one and made it from a single layer of fabric, rather than cutting and sewing together two. I made size E, and shortened the pants. In hindsight, I think I could have sized down the pants. The top is perfectly boxy and slightly cropped. If you’re a tall person you may want to check the length for you.
I chose the lightweight cotton twill and I’m super happy with the little bit of extra structure it gives the garment. I think it helps to move it away from looking too much like sleepwear. The shirt is going to be perfect for layering in the coming cooler months. See ya summer!
THREAD BITCH BRIGHTON
Fabric Choice: Organic Sweet Pea Gauze in Damask 2b
Finally got ’round to posting my Peppermint Samford Set – a new pay-as-you-want pattern by Peppermint (designed by Sew To Grow ) and came perfectly in time for the beginning of summer here in the Northern Hemisphere.
I was offered the opportunity to try out the pattern before it came out, along with a choice of fabric from Spoonflower – what a treat!
I chose this amazing print by artist M Uhlenkott in organic sweet pea gauze, readying myself for warmer climes.
The pattern is a lovely, quick, no-fuss set that comes together really quickly and is a joy to wear. I’ve definitely leaned into the pyjama look but it could easily be made as an everyday easy-breezy set.
The gauze is very breathable but a bit stiffer than your usual gauze, although hopefully, it will soften with wear and washes.
Thank you Peppermint and Spoonflower for reaching out and for the amazing customer service!
THE SOCIAL FABRIC
Fabric Choice: Cotton Lawn in Red Hens
Hello from me and my new ridiculous but super cool chicken-y day pyjamas!
The lovely folks over at Peppermint reached out to me a while ago to see if I’d be interested in trying out their newest sewing pattern using fabric from Spoonflower, and I just had to say yes! This is the Peppermint Samford Set, a set of “day pyjamas” made up of a Dolman sleeve camp collar top and some elastic waist shorts/trousers.
Most of you know by now that I don’t really wear elastic waist bottoms outside of my cave, but I’m a sucker for tops that can go from lounging at home to being paired with tailored trousers. The top normally has a camp collar, but to be perfectly honest, I didn’t love the angles of the collar and the lapel once I finished it. But when I did some slight rearranging to turn it into this collared shirt, I fell in love! I used some hidden snaps along the front edge so that I wouldn’t interrupt the incredible pattern of the fabric. Speaking of which – I’m super proud of this pattern matching! It was super fun to match the large-scale print along the front.
For the bottom half, I made the shorts view for a perfect pair of loungewear bottoms. Both the top and the bottom are a straight size A with no modifications to the patterns.
The fabric is Spoonflower’s cotton lawn, with a ‘Red Hens’ design printed on it. It has a lovely, papery feel and slight translucency, and it’s quite crisp feeling without being too stiff. I’d rate the print quality a 9 out of 10 – the colour is beautiful and vibrant, but it’s not the crispest print I’ve ever seen. I imagine this is due to the resolution of the original artwork though.
I’m especially happy with how the top turned out with this quick little mod, and I can already tell I’ll be wearing it all summer long with all my pleated trousers and shorts!
NEEDLE AND THE BELLE
Fabric Choice: Organic Cotton Sateen in Amorphous Earth Abstract Landscape
My rich aunty recovery wardrobe just got a new addition…
Meet the Peppermint Samford Set which features a button-down shirt plus pants/shorts. While it’s not heating up in Atlanta just yet, I know it will be and I’m ready for these shorts to get worn out. I used organic cotton sateen with a design from the artist Small Hours Shop on Spoonflower to make this set and friends… I’m so in love with this. I almost wished I made pants!
Let’s talk about the pattern, shall we?
Coordinates are currently the trend as are the boxy button-downs with matching pants so this pattern is perfect. I did add a total of three inches to the rise and extended the crotch curve. I love the versatility of this set as well as the ease of putting it together.
I started sewing the set live but it took a total of about two hours of sewing time. Button downs intimidate me (I don’t know why since I’ve made multiple lol) but this was so easy.
I was so excited to join this collaboration of Peppermint and Spoonflower because it’s truly a match made in sewing heaven!
BIMBLE AND PIMBLE
Fabric Choice: Organic Cotton Sateen in Summer Fruit Fabric
I am so beyond delighted with how this Peppermint and Sew To Grow Samford Set (B:57” W:50” H:60”) turned out! I love both pieces individually and they make just the cutest set.
The fabric is the Spoonflower cotton sateen featuring ‘Summer Fruits’ from Adena J Design. I have only used Spoonflower for cotton twill once before so was super delighted with the feel of the sateen. It was a dream to sew and has just the right amount of structure for this set. It also forgave the buttonholes being unpicked after I sewed them on the wrong side. There were a couple of thread shifts but otherwise, it held up well.
This was a seriously satisfying project – I cut the pieces out one afternoon and sewed the entire top (sans buttonholes) in one evening and all of the shorts in another evening. I omitted the drawstring on the shorts but otherwise followed the designs as is. Next time I would go up another size in the shorts but only because I like my PJs to be oversized.
And finally, I love the top so much I am going to wear it as a separate.
Also to note, for those keen on the pattern it is available for free with the print and digital versions of Peppermint or through their website with a variety of payment tiers.
Anyways, I’m going to go lounge around the house like a fancy human in my new PJs because I can!
