How to Make Kids Pajamas

Kids love to wear pajamas. For them, a pair of pajamas is a fashion statement and a comfort blanket all rolled into one. There are so many flannel prints to choose from today that you should have no trouble finding a design for either a boy or a girl. There are even prints available to make holiday pajamas. Follow these simple instructions to make a pair of pajama bottoms. Use an old pair of kids sweatpants as a basic pattern. Pair the pajamas with a coordinating T-shirt for a warm and wonderful holiday gift.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sweatpants
• Plain-brown wrapping paper
• Yardstick
• Tape measure
• Flannel fabric
• Large safety pin or bodkin
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Iron
• Scissors
• 1/2-inch wide elastic

1. Place wrapping paper on a work surface with the wrong side up. Turn the sweatpants wrong side out. Fold them in half. Lay the sweatpants on the wrapping paper and stretch the waistband. Draw a line on the paper along the top of the waistband, down the outside seam, along the curve of the crotch, down the inseam and across the bottom hem. Add 1-1/2 inches to the waistband edge, 1 inch to the crotch line, 1 inch to the inseam and 1 inch to the bottom for the hem. Cut out the paper pajama pattern.

2. Fold the length of the flannel fabric into four layers. Place the long outer edge of the pajama pattern on the long fold of the flannel and pin. Cut around the waistband, crotch, inseam and bottom. When the pieces are unfolded you will have two leg pieces. Fold one leg piece over with the right sides together. Pin the inseam. Sew a 1/2-inch seam allowance along the pinned edge. Repeat for the other leg piece. Turn one leg piece right side out and place inside the other leg piece. Match the crotch edges of the two leg pieces and pin. Sew a 1/2-inch seam allowance along the pinned crotch edge.

3. Remove the leg from the inside of the other one and lay the pajama pants on a flat surface, wrong side out. Fold over the waistband a 1/2 inch and iron. Fold over again 1 inch, iron and pin. Topstitch around the waistband as close to the pinned edge as possible, leaving a 1-inch opening. Measure the child's waist and subtract 1 inch. Cut a piece of elastic using the waist measurement. Attach a large safety pin or bodkin to the end of the elastic and thread the elastic through the casing on the waistband. Remove the safety pin or bodkin and sew the elastic ends together. Finish the waistband by topstitching the opening closed.

4. Fold one bottom leg of the pajamas to the wrong side a 1/2 inch and iron. Fold over again a 1/2 inch, iron and pin. Topstitch as close to the pinned edge as possible to hem the pajama leg. Repeat for the other pajama leg.

Tips & Warnings

• To determine fabric needed, measure the length of the pattern. For a child, the width will be wide enough. If it is not you will need to purchase twice the length.