How To Sew Pajama Pants

Today, I’m going to show you how to make something that has been a staple of my daily wardrobe for the last year. That’s right, I’m going to show you How To Sew Pajama Pants! Sleep has never been sweeter with these comfy pajama pants, with its comfortable waistband and roomy legs. These pants are also perfect for lounging around the house and relaxing. When my sewing friend, Debbie, showed me this pattern, I knew I would be making several pairs of these. They are perfect for staying nice and cozy in the house. I haven’t worn these out in public though. At least, not yet.. I plan on making some of these for the whole family this year. They are inexpensive to make and everyone loves pajamas. This would be a good project to start out on if you have been wanting to get into sewing your own clothes. This project is pretty straightforward and you only have the pockets, the legs, and the waistband to put together. Experienced sewist could probably make this in under an hour pretty easily. Pick out some cute print or solid color fabric and you can have your own fun custom pj’s in no time! 

Speaking of fabric, you’ll want to choose some that has a little stretch to it, but not too much. You’ll need at least a 50% stretch for the waistband fabric to make sure these pj’s are nice and comfortable. I went with a fun print, but you could use really any pattern or solid color fabric you wanted. Gather up the rest of the sewing supplies you’ll need from the list below and let’s get started!

What You’ll Need:

• 1.5 Yards of 60″ Wide Fabric – cotton, cotton blends, linen blends
• ¼ yard 50% stretch knit for waistband
• Free Pajama Pants Pattern
• Matching Thread
• Iron
• Pins
• Scissors 
• Optional Rotary Cutter & Mat
• Measuring tape 
• Thread nippers
• Sewing machine
• Fabric marker
• Bodkin or Safety Pin

Size Chart:

Imperial (inches)	Small	Medium	Large
Waist	28	30	32
Hip	38	40	42

If you need a different size than the pattern, check out our post about Pattern Grading – How To Scale A Pattern Up or Down.

Printing Instructions

This pajama pants sewing pattern has layers so that you can choose to print only the size you need. To achieve this Adobe Reader must be installed on your machine or device. Adobe Reader allows you to click on the layers icon which will show you each size with an eyeball beside it. Click on the eyeball beside the size you do not want to print.

Before printing check that your printer is set to No scaling or Actual size. Set the Page orientation to Auto or Portrait. And then print page 2. Measure the 2” test square to see if it measures exactly 2”. If it does, print the remaining pages.

Trimming Pages

Cut off the right and top margins of each printed page before assembling the pattern. You can use tape or school glue to adhere your paper pattern together.

Pattern Assembly

After the pages have been printed and trimmed as instructed above, use the quarter circles located at the corner of each page for perfect alignment.  When done your pattern should look like this:

Pattern Pieces Checklist

Once you have printed and assembled your pattern you will cut:

• Pants back  – Cut 2 mirrored
• Pants Front – Cut 2 mirrored
• Waistband – Cut 1 on fold out of knit fabric 
• Pockets – Cut 4

Seam Allowance

Use a 3/8” seam allowance unless otherwise instructed.

How To Sew Pajama Pants

The first step in this how to sew pajama pants sewing tutorial is to wash, dry, and iron your fabric. This will help preshrink your fabric so that your stitches won’t get messed up the first time you wash your pajama pants. Once you have done that, you can use the included free pattern to cut out your fabric. Cut out your fabric according to the cut list above.

Your fabric pieces should look like the photo above. Once you have your pieces laid out, we will start by sewing the pajama pants pockets.

Put two of the pocket pieces right sides together and sew around using a 3/8″ seam allowance, leaving a 2” opening at the side seam. 

Turn the pockets right sides out and press.

Next on this how to sew pajama pants sewing tutorial, we will attach the pockets to the pajama pants. Mark where you want your pockets to go. I decided to make mine fairly low on the leg. Pin the pockets to the pants at your desired location. Sew around three edges of the pocket, leaving the top open to be able to insert your hand.

With the right sides together, pin the two pants pieces at the crotch seams. Pin at both the front and back crotch seams. 

Sew the pajama pants together the crotch seams. We are about halfway through this pajama pants sewing tutorial!

Rearrange your pants and sew the inseam.

Next on this how to sew pajama pants sewing tutorial, we will work on the waistband of our pants. Fold the waistband right sides together and sew the short edge. 

Fold the waistband in half wrong sides together and divide into quarters. Divide the pants waist in quarters. Pin the quarter marks of the pants and waistband together. 

Sew the waistband to the pants. You will need to stretch the waistband to fit the pants. 

For the last step in this how to make pajama pants sewing project, you just need to hem the pants by double folding the hem ½” twice.  Repeat for the other pants leg.

And that’s it! Now you know how to sew pajama pants! These cute and comfy pjs are just what you need to staying cozy while you sleep. I always break out my pj’s as the weather cools and they keep my nice and comfortable. These pants are easy to sew. You could make some for the entire family! I love matching pj’s, so that is exactly what I am going to do!

If you liked learning how to sew pajama pants, make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make this simple project on your own, make certain that you take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices that people use!

More Easy Sewing Projects:

• DIY Jogger Pants Sewing Tutorial With Free Jogger Pants Pattern
• Free Women’s Jumpsuit Pattern & Sewing Tutorial
• How To Sew A Hole In Leggings
• How to Sew Gym Shorts – Printable Sewing Pattern
• 15 Easy Fall Sewing Projects