Make Pajama Pants
Making your own pajamas can be a fun activity to complete in your spare time or with your children. The DIY approach provides you with the freedom to choose whatever design that appeals to you, while at the same time, saving you money! It's a wholesome and interesting activity for the whole family!
Contents
Steps
Gather Supplies
- Figure out sizes. One easy way to determine how much fabric you will need is to bring a pair of your (or the future wearer’s) sweatpants or pajama pants with you to the fabric store.
- Visit a textile, craft or fabric shop to choose a fabric design. A light cotton or polyester material would be advisable. Also, ask the salesperson about any specials or discounts. There may be similar fabric to what you like, but at a discounted price.
- Pick up necessary tools including matching colored thread, paper to make a pattern, pen or pencil, safety pins and elastic to create the waistband (around ½ inch in width).
Create the Pattern
- Fold pants and lay on paper. Fold pants in half, lengthwise and flatten as much as possible (to obtain the most accurate size).
- Draw the outline of your trousers on the fabric using your pencil or pen. Draw the outline approximately {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} larger than what is necessary in order to give space for sewing.
- Cut out the outline using sharp sewing scissors. No jagged edges should remain on the pattern.
- Trace the outline onto another piece of fabric to create the 'front' and 'back' of your pajama bottom. Use a fabric pencil to trace the design.
- Perform the same step (tracing the outline) on another piece of fabric so you are left with two outlines.
Cut Out Pattern and Sew
- Fold leg pieces together so you will have formed two sides of one leg (essentially the pant will look like the original sewed pair but folded). When you have an even match, pin sides together.
- Sew the sides of the fabric together with fine stitching, using your sewing machine or a needle and thread.
- Make sure the patterned/ colored side of the fabric is facing each other. #*Do not sew the top (where the waist would be) and the bottom (at the foot of the pajama leg).
- Fold down the top of the pajama bottom the height of the elastic for the waist (about 1cm). Stitch a horizontal sewing all round the waistband. Leave a little space at the side where you would slot in the elastic later on.
- Turn one leg inside out and slip it inside the other leg. Match up side seams and pin up both sides to the crotch area.
- Sew along the crotch line. Remove pant leg from the other and turn pants inside out (they should now start looking like actual pants).
Create Waistband
- Create the area to hold the waistband and elastic by folding down top of the fabric approximately ½ “ and press using an iron.
- Fold pant tops down again approximately 1” and press.
- Pin all the way around the waist and leave an opening on each side that is around 3” (so you can add the elastic).
- Sew this area around the pins. Remove pins as you add stitches. Stop at the opening.
- Cut a piece of ½” elastic that is long enough to fit around the waist. Add an extra three or four inches to be on the safe side.
- Place a large safety pin at the end of the elastic. The pin will act as your guide to push the elastic around the inside.
- Bunch pants up so that the open ends get closer to each other.
- Push the elastic through, pin side first so it circles the inside of the waistband and comes out the other end.
- Sew ends together and then trim off the excess elastic. Sew the open part of the pants together.
- Finish pants by hemming the bottom. Fold the ends upward and inside the legs to the desired length. Pin and then sew ends closed.
Tips
- When buying the fabric, buy it in a little excess of the actual amount you need, in order to factor in room for error.
- A pajamas bottom that is looser at the thighs and shins might be more comfortable than a tight-fitting one.
Warnings
- Be careful when handling sharp objects like scissors or needles, and especially the sewing machine. Ensure that a knowledgeable adult is around to help if necessary.
Things You'll Need
- sufficient fabric
- a roll of thread
- a sewing machine/ needle
- a pair of scissors for fabric
- a pencil/ chalk
- a length of elastic
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