It all started as an innocent bargain - cute as hell cactus print satin fabric. I can't remember how much it was but it was cheap enough for me to think buying three meters was good value. After letting it sit in my fabric tub for a few weeks I decided I should probably do the right thing of pre-washing the fabric blurgh - the most boring yet frustratingly important part of sewing. After washing it was returned to the fabric tub for another few weeks in purgatory. Then one day inspiration struck. Satin pillowcases! Good for your hair, good for the fabric tub levels. I've not made pillowcases before but I figured they could not be that hard.

Potentially the first time I have ever ironed a pillowcase...

I googled a few videos, scanned a few written tutorials and then I decided to run with it. I like simple, quick and it doesn't have to be perfect - just passable, especially for a first attempt. To get the size needed I pinned one of my existing pillowcases to the satin to trace. I had hoped to just cut a strip length wise and make the necessary folds (quick) but the print ran across the fabric from selvage to selvage. Luckily the fabric was wide enough to fit the width of a pillow when folded and then I just cut an extra strip for the tucky-under part. One thing I learnt quickly is that satin is a slippery little sucker.

I finished the two ends by rolling the seam allowance under. Pinned it all together, wrong side out and ran a straight/zigzag combo stitch up the sides. The 'pro' of this method was speed, so much speed. The 'con' was that when you look in the open end you can see the seems - they are not hidden under the tucky-under part. Given that it's only me and my partner and our doggo that will see them that closely - I was willing to take the aesthetic hit.

Beautiful satin pillow cases were complete but I bought three meters of this fabric so there was a sh*t-tonne left. I decided a satin nightie would perfectly complement my bedtime decor.

I picked up the Kwik Sew K3645 Misses' Sleepwear pattern. As per usual I diligently went through the measurements to find the correct pattern. Bust - Small, Waist - Large, Hips - Medium. Very as per usual. I decided to split the difference and went with Medium.

The super simple pattern meant I was sewing the front and back together in no time. oh no. This nightie is the size of a tank (army not sportswear). The shoulders are almost falling off and the underarm is gaping. There was room for me and the doggo in this nightie. I took the opportunity of alteration to also add some waist to this very straight hanging nightie. But the worst was yet to come. The pattern called for bias satin binding around the neckline and armholes. I started with the neckline and it did. not. go. well. So I unpicked it and went and bought some pre-made bias binding (I do not consider this cheating). It was much more successful the second time around. Last left was to hem the bottom and the satin nightie was complete.

As I was making my satin ensemble I recalled a guy from when I was younger. He thought he was pretty smooth and if you asked most of the girls they would have agreed. He was dating a friend of mine. He told me quite proudly that he could only sleep on satin sheets and that his were black. But he said it in the way that was less "I need satin bedsheet's and whale songs to soothe me to sleep" and more "I need satin bedsheet's for all the ladies I bring to my room bomchickawahwah". From that point forward I always thought they were a bit eww. But now I have my adorable cactus print pillowcases and nightie and I am reclaiming satin. Here is the only handsome stud I want in my satin bed...

Here is another blogging sewer with excellent taste who also made some bedroom attire with the same fabric. Bonus points because she also has a doggo in her pictures. She also has much better natural lighting in her home/studio.

Satin Bed Set