Pajama Pattern

For Making An Easy Pair Of PJ's

Making your own pajama pattern is just one more reason to learn to sew.

Pajama pants and lounge pants are popular, and as a result, they can cost any where from $15.00 to $50.00 for kid’s pajama pants and of course more for adult size.

It's nice to have options. You can make your own pajama pants for a lot less. My daughter made these pajama pants in one afternoon using this method.

Pajama pants are very easy to make and if you are just learning to sew, this is a great, useful project to practice your sewing skills.

I emphasize "accuracy" when sewing, even if it is a pair of lounge pants or pajama pants, it is still nice to have them turn out looking professional.

So let's make the best pair of pj pants you will be proud to wear.

What you will need:

Note: If you don't want to use any of these examples to make your pattern, and you don't mind pulling apart the seams of your lounge pants then do this and use the pieces as your pattern.
Sharp Scissors or Rotary Cutter & Mat.
Polyester all purpose thread in coordinating color.
1" wide elastic, the width of your waist plus 1/2" for the seam.
Ribbon or twill tape for the draw string. (optional if using

elastic only.)

Fabric Choices:

The type of fabric you use for your pajama pants is up to you of course. Here are some examples of fabrics that are suitable for pajama pants.

Amazon.com Widgets

Making The Pajama Pants Step by Step:

Turn your existing pajama pants inside out and put one leg inside the other. Place your pants on the paper and smooth them out.

Note: If you are pulling your lounge pants apart and using the pieces as your pattern, then omit this step.

Pajama Pattern Step One: Preparing your pattern

Place a ruler on the edge of the seam and with a pencil or crayon, trace the perimeter of the pants. Keep as accurate as you can.

*Add 1 1/4" (3.2cm) at the top for the waistband.
*Add 1" (2.5cm) at the bottom for the hem.
*Add 1/2" seam allowance at the crotch and side seams.
*Draw a line down the center of both pattern pieces. You will use this to make sure that your pajama pattern is centered properly on the fabric. Please see photo below.

* Write on your pattern pieces if it is the front or the back of your pajama pattern, as photo below. Now cut out your pattern so you have two pieces, front and back.

Pajama Pants Step Two: Pinning on the pattern

Your pattern is cut out and now you can pin it to the fabric.
Don't forget to use the straight of grain line you place on the pattern piece and measure to keep your pattern straight.

Pajama Pants Step Three: Cutting your fabric

Your pattern is on and pinned, now you can cut out your pajamas.

Pajama Pattern Step Four: Sewing the pants

With one back and one front pants panel together, sew the inside seam together. The photo at the right shows the two pieces pinned.

Here I am using a serger, but of course you will sew with what ever machine you have.

Press your inside seams flat.

With right sides of the fabric together, place your two front and back pieces together as shown in the photo. Make sure your edges are even and the inside seams match up.

Stitch the crotch seam together.

You can now see your pajamas are coming together. Now press your seams flat.

Pajama Pattern Step Five: The waist band

For the waist band, measure 1 inch or 2.5 cm and mark this all the way around the top of your pj's.

Fold and pin the 1 inch over to form the casing for your waist band.

Optional Draw String Waist

Note: The next step is optional. The added casing is for a draw string as well as a decorative touch. Sew the photo below.

From the creased fold line measure 1/2 inch. Pin one in wide ribbon at the 1/2 inch mark.

Sew the top and bottom of the ribbon to hold in place. You will cut a piece of the same ribbon and feed through the casing for a draw string waist. As above.

Pajama Pants Step Six: Sewing the elastic

Measure around your waist to determine the length of elastic you will need, remember to allow an extra 1 inch for the seam allowance.
Sew the two ends of elastic together. Now you will need to mark four equal sections on the elastic. This will be used to match each seam allowance to make sure your elastic is even.

Pin the elastic to top of your pajama pants. Making sure your edges are even.

Sew your elastic at one of the seam allowances as show. This will help to keep the elastic in place. At the top of the elastic, sew your all the way around the band

After you secure the elastic, fold the fabric over at the crease to form casing.
*Your elastic will be inside the casing.
Now sew the bottom edge of the fabric to secure it.