Dare to Make It: Holiday

How to Make Perfect-Fitting Pajama Bottoms

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Jennifer Worick, contributor

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The finished PJs. Pretty adorable, don't you think?

Jennifer Worick

Lay out your favorite pajamas and use them as a template.

Jennifer Worick

Pressing your seams will give your pajamas a more professional finish and will help fuse the stitches to the fabric.

Jennifer Worick

The finished PJs. Pretty adorable, don't you think?

Photo: Jennifer Worick

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Step 2: We are going to add a 4-inch border at the hem with a fun contrasting fabric. To do this, make the length of the legs 3-1/2 inches shorter when cutting your main fabric (another 1/2 inch will be used for the seam allowance). Cut out four 5-1/4-inch-long pieces of contrasting fabric (4 inches plus 1/2-inch seam allowance for the top and 3/4 inch for the bottom hem) in the same width as the pant length (make sure you have a 1/2-inch seam allowance on both sides). For instance, if your existing pajamas have a 10-inch-wide leg, you’ll want to cut four 5-1/4 x 11-inch pieces of the contrast fabric. Make sense?

Match the width of the contrast fabric to the width of the leg you just cut out.

Cut out your two layers of main fabric. Pin them to another double layer of fabric, making sure everything is smooth and laid out at the same angle (not on the bias). You should have four pieces of main fabric at this point and four strips of contrast fabric for the hem.

After cutting out two pieces of fabric, pin them to another double layer of fabric and cut, so you wind up with four pieces.

Step 3: Pin two corresponding pieces together along the outside edge (not the inseam and crotch ), right sides facing, and sew up the outside seam with a 1/2-inch seam allowance, making sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of your seam. Repeat with the other two pieces. Press open your seams.

Pressing your seams will give your pajamas a more professional finish and will help fuse the stitches to the fabric.

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Comments (18)

ubercatmommy writes: 11-26

This looks ok as an easy beginner's project, but honestly, I don't know about anyone else, but I'M not the same from front to back when it comes to pants!! I guess it would take a lot of trial and error to have the fit turn out right. The construction itself is easy enough. Using an existing garment thats fits well to copy from is always a good idea.
Posted: 11:56 am on November 26th

girard86 writes: hi this is a great pattern but i also use to take mens pant legs, cut them off and take my little boys old pants and make him pants out of his dads pants the same way saved money that way too. but used elastic waist not the zipper front. too time consuming then.
Posted: 6:35 am on February 24th

ladyinred writes: Here's a suggestion- when making your pattern, put the sides of the front and back together to eliminate the side seam. Makes for a little less sewing and a quicker project.
Posted: 10:27 am on February 20th

Jetmuis writes: smart idea to use an old pj bottoms as a pattern, thank you for sharing this great idea, happy new year!!!;-D
Posted: 5:18 am on January 1st

clair163 writes: i think i'm going to give it a try looks easy enough.
Posted: 8:23 pm on December 31st

cassmartinez writes: Is there a reason no one ever makes the bottom hem before sewing the sides? I always hem the bottom before I sew up a project making it that much easier..I've always wondered why in tutorials it's never done that way?!?

BTW LOVE the pajamas...I just made some pj bottoms for my toddler out of fleece!
Posted: 8:55 pm on January 17th

Melissa96 writes: Ok.. I finally made these pj's. It was a very easy pattern to follow. Thank you SO much. Previously I had never sewn anything other then a simple shower curtain. I was so excited to make pants! LOL!

They were not perfect as it was my first attempt but my 8 year old loves them. I used fleece monkey fabric with hot pink satin as the panels at the bottom.

Thank you for posting this pattern!
Posted: 11:39 pm on April 23rd

Melissa96 writes: Very cool! I searched for over an hour and found your pattern. A friend of mine sent me some great monkey fabric and I want to make PJ bottoms for my DD's. I like the idea of the contrasting fabric. Hoping to make these this week.
Thanks much!
Posted: 3:50 pm on April 4th

sigridsoto writes: you are brilliant keep creating u inspire me thank you
Posted: 6:37 am on January 7th

zanygumby writes: Great tutorial. I will be able to make pj bottoms for my granddaughter. She is starting to out grow her current one's, adding the extra material should do the trick she is getting taller. Thank you for sharing.
Posted: 1:01 pm on November 22nd

Jen_W writes: Yum, fleece sounds divine. I guess I'd only be concerned that the waistband could get bulky but otherwise, go for it! And let me know how they work out.
Posted: 5:49 pm on November 18th

paintchipgirl writes: Jennifer, completely cute! I'm going to try these in fleece for my 7-year old twins. Any thoughts/cautions on fleece?
Posted: 5:39 pm on November 18th

Toffy writes: Jen1964 you are exactly right on the skivies elastic. I do cut it off the worn out skivies b4 they get tossed in the rag/carwash box. It is certainly reusable.
The jammie bottoms are quite cute. I do copy patterns all the time and make my own adjustments for better fit,etc. I love my Serger for quick projects like this one. Good tutorial.
Posted: 1:29 pm on November 18th

lena9221 writes: The PJ bottoms are adorable. What a wonderful tutorial!

With a little knowledge and creativity, you can make anything from old comfy clothes. I do it all the time. Then use the clothes in a quilt.
Posted: 9:12 am on November 18th

melna writes: Love your pj bottoms and thanks for a great tutorial!
Posted: 8:59 pm on November 17th

Jen1964 writes: That's what Grandma used to do sometimes! Very reliable. Don't laugh, but the softest, strongest elastic (and it's free) is what my mom used to save from worn out fruit of the looms from the guys in the family. Those things don't last forever, but the elastic is so comfy and broken in, you won't be sorry. And it lasts longer than the new stuff.
This ought to work on kid's P.J.'s too. Thanks!
Posted: 7:10 pm on November 17th

croqzine writes: Love your fabric choices!!
Posted: 6:39 pm on November 17th

jbird512 writes: I love the idea of using pj bottoms that I alread have and love as the template!
Posted: 1:08 pm on November 17th

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