Things You'll Need:
- Existing pair of sweatpants in your size
- Large paper
- Sewing equipment and supplies
- Pajama fabric
- Length of 5/8-inch-wide elastic
- Large safety pin
- Ironing board and iron
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Step 1
Lay your large paper on a flat surface, such as the ground or a table. Fold your existing pair of sweatpants in half, so that the legs are together and the back center seam is pulled out into a pointed corner. Lay the pants on top of the large paper and trace all the way around the pants with a pencil, until you have the exact shape.
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Step 2
Remove the pants from the paper. On your drawing, add seam allowances of 5/8 inch to the long sides of the legs and seam allowances of 1 inch to the waistline and hem. Write down all seam allowance measurements directly onto the pants shape, and write the word "fold" along the long front center seam. Cut this outline from the paper and use it as a pattern piece.
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Step 3
Fold your pajama material in half so that the designs match up and so that you have a long fold line. Lay the pattern piece on top of the pajama material with the side marked "fold" along the fold line and pin it in place. Cut around the pattern piece so that you have one folded leg piece. Pin the pattern along another length of fold and cut again so that you have a second, opposite folded leg piece.
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Step 4
Pin together the center back seams of the legs, right sides together, and stitch in place, 5/8 inch away from the edges. Press the seam allowances. Pin together the center front seams of the legs in the same way and stitch together, 5/8 inch away from the edges. Press the seam allowance. Pin together the inside edges of the legs. Stitch in place 5/8 inch away from the edges. Press and trim all seam allowances.
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Step 5
Measure the amount of elastic waistband needed by putting the elastic around your waist and adding an extra 1/2 inch for stitching. Fold the top of the pants under 1 inch and press, then fold under another 1 inch and press again. Stitch in place just along the edge of the fold, leaving about 3 inches free at the center back seam. Attach the elastic to a big safety pin and insert the elastic through this hole, then push it through the folded fabric all the way around the waist until it comes through the hole again. Pin the ends together and stitch them to each other, then push them under the fold and stitch the hole closed.
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Step 6
Fold the hem of each leg under 1/2 inch and press, and then fold under another 1/2 inch and press again. Stitch the folded hems in place.
