How to Make Pajama Bottoms

Pajama bottoms are an ideal beginner sewing project. They are easy to make, can use recycled or inexpensive fabrics, and are quite wearable even if they are not perfect. Make several pairs in an evening and sleep in one that night. With a purchased tank top or T-shirt, pajama bottoms even make a great gift. Make them for yourself, your children or your partner. You can save money and improve your skills by making your own pajama bottoms.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabric, ranging from less than a yard for a young child to 2 1/2 to 3 yards for an extra large adult size
• Sewing machine and coordinating thread
• Sewing pins
• Scissors
• 1-inch elastic, less than 2 yards (cut to waist measurement)
• Pair of old well-fitting pajama bottoms or loose pants
• Pattern tracing, newsprint or butcher paper

1. Cut apart an old pair of pajama bottoms or loose-fitting pants in the size you need. If you prefer not to cut them apart, you may also carefully pin them to your pattern tracing paper and trace them without damaging the original pj bottoms. Add length or fullness at this time if you would like. Add 1/4 inch to leg, inseam and crotch seams for seam allowances. Add 1 1/2 inches at the waist for a casing and another 1 1/2 inches at the end of each leg for a hem.

2. Pin your pattern pieces to your intended fabric. The fabric should be folded, so you cut two back pieces and two front pieces. Be sure that the print is all in one direction and you lay pieces out in the most logical way possible. Cut out your pajama bottoms. Press your pajama bottom pieces.

3. Sew the outer leg seam of each leg using a 1/4-inch seam allowance on your new pajama bottoms. Press each of these seams open for a neat finish. Stitch the inner leg seam.

4. Turn one pajama pants leg inside out. Place the other leg into it, right side out. The two legs are now right side together. Carefully line up the front and back waists and sew the crotch seam. Reinforce the crotch by stitching over this seam again to avoid wear and damage when making pajama pants.

5. Press the top edge of the waist under 1/4 inch and again 1 1/4 inch from that line. Topstitch into place, leaving a 1-inch gap at the center back to thread elastic. Thread elastic into the casing, overlapping it slightly and stitching. Sew up the gap to finish the waistband when making pajama bottoms.

6. Press the hem under 1/4 inch and again 1 1/4 inch from this edge. Topstitch the hem of the pajama pants.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a contrast hem if desired. Add width for a fuller, more stylish lounge pant. Try using old sheets when making pajama bottoms for summer.
• Be careful using fabrics without flame retardants for children. These are not snug-fitting pajama bottoms, so consider using this method for lounge pants for little ones.

References

• CraftStylish.com