How to Sew Polyester Pajamas with a Machine
Use your sewing machine to make a lightweight set of polyester pajamas. The sleeveless top and pants are perfect for wearing during the warmer months. You will use an existing pair of pajama pants as part of your pattern. Trim the length of the pajama pants to make either capri pants or shorts to wear during the summer. If you prefer nightgowns to pajama pants, extend the length of the top so that it hits at your mid-thigh or knee and skip making the pants.
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- 1 yard elastic, 1 inch wide
- Scissors
- 4 yards polyester sateen
- Poster board or large piece of newspaper
- 1 pair pajama pants or shorts
- Straight pins
- Fabric marker
- Iron and ironing board
- Matching thread
- Bias binding
- Serger (optional)
Instructions
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1
Measure around the widest part of your shoulders with the measuring tape. You may need to have a friend or relative help you measure. Divide this measurement in half. Next, measure from your shoulder to your hips. If you plan on making a nightshirt, measure from your shoulder to where you want the nightshirt to hit.
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2
Draw a rectangle on the poster board or piece of newspaper. The width of the rectangle should be half your shoulder measurement plus one inch and the length should be the measurement from your shoulder to hip plus one inch.
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3
Cut a half circle out of the top middle of the rectangle for a neck hole. Cut two half circles out of the top sides of the rectangle for arm holes. Cut the rectangle out.
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4
Fold the polyester fabric in half with the right side facing in. Pin the rectangle to the fabric, then cut it out. You should have two pieces for the top.
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5
Wrap the elastic around your waist. Mark where the ends meet. Measure two to three inches from the mark and cut the elastic there. For example, if you waist measure 30 inches, cut a length of elastic that measures either 27 or 28 inches.
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6
Fold the pair of pants in half, so that the front of the pants faces out. Pin the pants to the fabric and trace around the outside with the fabric marker. Unpin the pants and pin the two sides of fabric together. Fold the pants in half so that the back faces out. Pin the pants to another section of the fabric, then trace. Unpin the pants. Cut out the fabric. You should end up with four pieces, two front legs and two back legs.
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7
Pin the top together along the sides and along the shoulders. Make sure the right sides are on the inside. Leave the neck, arms and bottom unpinned. Stitch along the sides and shoulders with a half inch seam. Place bias tape over the raw edges of the arm and neck holes. Pin and then stitch in place. Fold the bottom edge of the top over half an inch, press. Fold over another half inch, press and then pin in place. Stitch along the bottom edge to hem.
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8
Pin one front leg to one back leg, with the right sides together. Sew along the long side of the leg. Repeat with the other front and back legs. Finish the raw edges by sewing a zigzag stitch along the edge. You can also use a serger if you own one.
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9
Place one leg into the other one, with right sides facing. You will line up the crotch of the legs. Pin the crotch of the front legs together and the crotch of the back legs together. Stitch in place.
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10
Straighten out the pants. You should have a pair of pants that resembles a skirt since the inside legs are not sewn together yet. Pin the inside legs together, making sure that the wrong side of the fabric is facing out. Stitch together. Finish the seam with a zigzag stitch or serge.
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11
Fold the top of the pants over one quarter inch, press. Fold the top of the pants over one and quarter inch. Press and pin in place. Place a safety pin on the edge of your elastic and thread through the waist band of the pants. When the end of the elastic is in the waist, pin in place to secure. When you reach the opposite end of the waistband, stitch the elastic to the waistband. Sew along the pinned edge of the waist.
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12
Hem the pants by folding the bottom of each leg up half an inch, the folding another half inch. Pin and place and sew along the edge.
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Tips & Warnings
If you want to make shorts instead of pants, either use a pair of shorts as your pattern or cut the legs of the pants off at the desired length, then hem.
References
- Photo Credit sewing machine image by Peter Baxter from Fotolia.com
