Quick and Easy Pajama Pants

Is there anything better than waking up on a cold morning wearing a warm pair of pajama pants?  Yes- the snooze button and more time under the covers!  However, since the latter is not often an option for our busy lives, let me show you how to make your own pair of cozy pajama pants:

{Step One: Gather Materials}
You will need a few yards of fabric for this project.  I found this snuggle flannel by chance one time and LOVED it.  I always go straight to the snuggle flannel, so I have a lot of it.  That's okay though, because I also love to make burp cloths like these.  However, a stretchier material might actually work better for this project.

After that, all you need is a sewing machine and thread! Plus a cord or ribbon to make your pants tie up.


{Step Two: Cut it Out}

 
If you are using another pair of pajama pants as a guide, then simply trace along the pants leaving enough room to make up for your seam difference.  I sew in 5/8 inch, but I heard that many are sewing in 1/2 inch today.  (Wow... that makes me feel old!)  When you get to the groin area, remember to trace where the seam is.

If you cut along the fold, you should have 2 pieces, if you did not, you should have 4.    Cutting on the fold is preferred, but (as in my case) I didn't have enough fabric to fit the pattern on it like that.

What I learned:  When you get to the waist, if it looks like it comes back in after flaring out at the hips- ignore it.  I curved it back in and my waist isn't as loose as it should be.  Remember, the pants tie closed to fit, so it is okay if the pants look big at the waist.


{Step Three: Sew Together Each Leg}

This step applies if you did NOT cut the pieces out on the fold.  Here you simply line up 2 pieces (right sides facing each other) and sew the inside of the leg pieces together.

The fabric on the top shows how it should look when you are sewing it.  The fabric on the bottom shows how it should look after you open it back up.


{Step Four: Sew the Groin}

After you have sewn the inside of both legs, open up the fabric and lay it flat.  Then, taking both full pieces, lay them down (right sides together), matching up the edges.  Next, you will sew along the "U".

I have been sewing for over 14 years and I still have trouble figuring out how things go together when I don't have a pattern telling me what to do.  For a second I thought I might have made a pair of snuggle flannel chaps!

{Don't worry, this is correct- just not held up that way!}

{Step Five: Sew Together the Outside}

Lining up the edges, pin the outside of each leg closed.  Then, go ahead and add a seam along these edges.  If the pins are hard to see in the picture, the arrows will show you where each side begins.

{Step Six: Make the Waistband}

At the top of the pants, fold a very small bit of fabric and sew it down (pictured above).  This way, when you fold the top hem shut, it will have a crisp edge with no fraying.  Fold it again the same direction, making enough of a space that the ribbon can move inside of it.  Remember, this should all be sewn on the inside of the pants (wrong side of the fabric).

All that is left on the waist is to cut 2 small holes where you want the ribbon to come out (generally one on each side of the very front seam).  You may hand sew this closed or cheat (like I did) and just put some of that no-fray glue on the edges.  

I apologize for not having pictures of this, but if you look at already owned pajama pants, you will see what I am talking about.

Then, just work your ribbon through the pants using a safety pin clipped to the end of the ribbon.  Some people don't like to do this, but I love running ribbon through a waistband!

{Step Seven: Hem the Pants}

I always wait to do this step last, because you never really know how long your pants will turn out after doing all the other sewing (especially the waistband). Or maybe that's just me. Either way, try on your new pants and figure out where you want them to fall. Then if necessary, pin them up and hem them. By this point, you're a sewing pro and hemming should be no problem for you!

 

{Your Turn!}

Pajama pants are one of the easiest things to sew and are just so comfortable! What I love most about sewing is that you are not limited to the fabric designs like you are with pants that you buy. I mean come on- how adorable are those owls?! I hope you have found my tutorial helpful and are excited to make your own.  If you still feel uneasy about not using a pattern, Martha Stewart offers a free printable pattern that you just download, print and put together.

Happy Crafting,
Kelsie Ann

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