How to sew pajamas without a pattern! This method is ideal for making pajama pants for kids. Simply use an existing pair of pajama pants as a guide.
You might also like my favorite 1-hour nightgown pattern, soft-soled baby shoes pattern, or homemade dinosaur hoodie.
I like sewing pajama pants like this for my kids because it eliminates the guesswork. Printed PDF sewing patterns and the finished measurements have been hit-and-miss for me, but these pajama pants work! I’ve been making pajama pants and pants for Halloween costumes using this method for years. It's one of the most popular tutorials on the blog because it's so simple!
Why I Like This Tutorial
- Simple to follow. Not only do I provide step-by-step photos and instructions, but I also provide a video for you to follow!
- Quick project. This is a very quick sewing project. You can easily make a pair of pants in 30-60 minutes.
- Inexpensive. You don't need to purchase a pattern; just use a pair of pajama pants that you already have as a guide. It's ok if the existing pair is a little too small. You can adjust the hem to be longer and add width if needed.
What Others Are Saying
This was so fun! I’ve sewed NOTHING before and this came out perfectly and took such a short amount of time!---Sarah
It all worked brilliantly! The instructions and photos are so clear, and easy to follow. I'm really pleased with the result! Many thanks!---Kate
I just wanted to tell you thank you for explaining the steps on how to sew the crotch.. it just came out much better from you than any tutorial I've seen, you explained it pretty well.---Amanda
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Tips and Tricks
- Use this method for children. If you look at store-bought toddler-big kid pajama pants you’ll notice that they look exactly like the ones that I am showing you how to make today. They are cut on the fold, without outer side seams, and are made out of 2 pieces of fabric. The front of the pants looks identical to the back.
- Don't use this method for adults. If you look at a teen-adult pair of pajama pants, you’ll notice they are made using 4 pieces of fabric and have side seams, as well as inner seams. The back is a bit baggier than the front, allowing for curves, hips, and more movement. For this reason I’d recommend using a pdf pajama pants pattern for the right size and best fit for curvier shapes. That being said, many exprienced sewers have used my method for adults, adding extra room in the waist and hips with great results. For beginners, I'd suggest using a pattern.
If you are looking to make basic elastic waistband pajama pants for toddlers, all the way up to big kids, without pattern pieces to cut out or pockets to sew let’s get started!
Supplies
- Existing pair of pajama or lounge pants
- Fabric: Cotton and flannel work well.
- Scissors
- Pins
- ¾" Elastic
- Sewing machine or serger
- Thread
- Measuring tape
How To Make Pajama Pants Without a Pattern
Step 1: Fold existing pajama pants in half. If necessary, iron to ensure you have the right shape. Lay the fold of the pants on the fold of the fabric. Pull the crotch area out a bit so that it is pointy.
Step 2: Cut 2 pieces (one for each leg) on the fold, using your old pair as a guide (you can trace the cutting line onto the fabric before cutting if you'd like).
Cutting Guide
- Leave at least ½" for seam allowances on the sides.
- Add 3" on the top for the elastic casing.
- Add 1" for the bottom hem (can make it larger or smaller if you want).
- Be generous when cutting around the crotch area (where the back comes to a point) so that there is plenty of room to bend over and move around without stressing the seam. I usually go at least an inch away instead of ½" for the seam allowance in the crotch area.
Note: Since you are using an existing pair of pajamas, the elastic waist is already scrunched. You can also add an inch or so to the cutting area if you'd like for a bit of extra room. If the existing pajama pants are shorter than you'd like, add length when cutting out the pieces. If they are too narrow, add a larger seam allowance when cutting out the pants.
Step 3: Fold them inside out and sew (straight or zig-zag stitch) along outer leg length edge (from the bottom, to where the crotch begins to curve). Trim close to seams.
Step 4: Turn one pant leg right side out and stuff it inside the other pant leg. Right sides of the fabric will be facing each other. Make sure that the long seam that you just sewed on each leg matches the other.
Step 5: Pin in the center to keep it in place.
Step 6: Sew the crotch seam of the pajama pants using a ⅜" seam allowance. Begin at the waist, sew along, and end at the top again. Sew once more close to the seam line to reinforce, since this area will get a lot of wear.
Step 7: Turn pajama pants right side out.
Step 8: The length of the elastic should be the same size as your child's waist + 1".
Fold down the waist ¼" inch and press it.
Fold it another 1 ¼ inch and sew the casing all the way around with a ¼" seam, also leaving a 2" gap to insert the elastic into later.
Step 9: Insert your elastic through the waistband using a safety pin to help guide it. Feed the elastic all the way through and out the other side of the opening.
Step 10: Sew the ends of the elastic together. Stretch the waist, pulling the elastic back into the opening.
Sew the gap in the waist closed.
Step 11: Fold the bottom hem up and press, then fold it up one more time and press. (This one is about ½"). Sew around on both legs. Flannel is so easy to work with. You don't need pins since it pretty much just sticks together.
Homemade Pajama Pants FAQs
Lightweight fabrics like cotton and flannel are easy to work with and work well for homemade pajama pants. Knit is also a good choice, but it isn't as easy to sew as cotton.
You do not need a pattern to make children's pajama pants, but you do need an existing pair of pajama pants to use as a cutting guide.
You can use this method for making adult pajama pants, but you will need to add a larger seam allowance in the hips and waist. This is not a standard measurement, as everyone's shape is different. You will need to adjust to your own measurements.
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Easy Pajama Pants Without a Pattern
Equipment
- scissors
- pins
- measuring tape
- sewing machine
Materials
- Existing pair of pants
- Flannel or cotton fabric
- ¾" wide elastic cut to waist measurement
Instructions
- Use a pair of pajama pants that you already have and fold them in half. Iron if necessary to make sure you have the right shape.
- Lay the fold of the pants on the fold of the fabric.Pull the crotch area out a bit so that it is pointy.
- Cut 2 pieces (one for each leg) on the fold, using your old pair as a guide (you can trace the cutting line onto the fabric before cutting if you'd like).Note: Follow the CUTTING GUIDE in the notes section.
- Fold them inside out and sew (straight or zig-zag stitch) along outer leg length edge (from the bottom, to where the crotch begins to curve). Trim close to seams.
- Turn one pant leg right side out and stuff it inside the other pant leg. Right sides of the fabric will be facing each other. Make sure that the long seam that you just sewed on each leg matches the other.
- Pin in the center to keep it in place.
- Sew the crotch seam of the pajama pants using a ⅜" seam allowance. Begin at the waist, sew along, and end at the top again. Sew once more close to the seam line to reinforce, since this area will get a lot of wear.
- Turn pajama pants right side out.
- The length of the elastic should be the same size as your child's waist + 1".Fold down the waist ¼" inch and press it.Fold it another 1 ¼ inch and sew the casing all the way around with a ¼" seam, also leaving a 2" gap to insert the elastic into later.
- Insert your elastic through the waistband using a safety pin to help guide it. Feed the elastic all the way through and out the other side of the opening.
- Sew the ends of the elastic together. Stretch the waist, pulling the elastic back into the opening.Sew the gap in the waist closed.
- Fold the bottom hem up and press, then fold it up one more time and press. (This one is about ½"). Sew around on both legs. Flannel is so easy to work with. You don't need pins since it pretty much just sticks together.
Video
Notes
- Leave at least ½" for seam allowances on the sides.
- Add 3" on the top for the elastic casing.
- Add 1" for the bottom hem (can make it larger or smaller if you want).
- Be generous when cutting around the crotch area (where the back comes to a point) so that there is plenty of room to bend over and move around without stressing the seam. I usually go at least an inch away instead of ½" for the seam allowance in the crotch area.
Cindy says
Coasties Rock! Thank you for your service!
Also, I think I am going to try making a pair of pants for myself! Thanks for sharing your Instructions.
Brandy says
Thank you!! 🙂
Jane Locke says
Hi,
Was wondering if I can use this for making leggings, I mean use old leggings to make a pattern? Not having much luck with the one piece so wanted to try and make the 2 legs way of making them? Hope you understand my garbled question! Thank you. Love the way you have done the PJ’s will defs try this method out.
Jane
Brandy says
Jane, I'd imagine it would work just fine for leggings!
Anira says
Thanks so much for this super video. You do a great job explaining what to do and your video compliments what you say. Hard to find this on the internet! Feeling confident now to start those xmas pajama pants for my kids!
jan tiffany says
I am trying to make "I dream of Jeannie" pants for a costume. ... I think this will work! I have pj bottoms that are elastic waist and ankles which should work for my pattern and I have a deconstructed 50's PINK party dress for the fabric....I have a sewing machine but have never sewed much past a hem or straight line.
Brandy says
Fun! Good luck!
Donna says
I want to make these PJ bottoms for my adult daughter, and I really don’t want to use a store bought pattern. Is there some change to your instructions that would provide the extra room needed for the hips? If not, is there a pattern you would recommend?
Brandy says
Hi Donna! I did a quick search for "Free pajama pants pattern" and most of the ones that I found used the same method that I used (even with a printed pattern. They just had you cut out two legs and stitch them together---which would make them the same as the ones that I made). If you allow a bit of extra space in the crotch area (the point at the back of the pattern) it will help.
Lisa Fitzpatrick says
A few years ago, I learned how to use my daughter's old sewing machine (I'm almost 60!). For the past two years, I've sewn pillows for family, faculty, and friends. My goal was to learn how to sew pajama pants. As a busy teacher, I could never find the time for a one-on-one tutorial...until I watched your video. I am so lucky that your site popped up. Thank you for the simple instructions and well-designed blog and video. 🙂
Amanda L. Frederickson says
I just wanted to tell you thank you for explaining the steps on how to sew the crotch.. it just came out much better from you than any tutorial I've seen, you explained it pretty well..
Brandy says
Amanda, thank you for letting me know! I'm so glad that your pants turned out!
Sarah says
This was so fun! I’ve sewed NOTHING before and this came out perfectly and took such a short amount of time! Do you happen to have a tutorial for flannel pyjama top?
Brandy says
Yay! I'm super impressed!! Unfortunately I don't have a pattern for a pajama top. We always just wear t-shirts with our homemade pajama pants.
Casey says
Hi, where is the video for this?
Brandy says
Hi Casey! The video is embedded in the post, in the top 1/3 of the post. Do you happen to have an ad blocker on? I’m not sure why it isn’t showing up for you. I can see it on my end. I can try sending it to you another way if it still isn’t showing up! Just let me know!
Brandy says
I’m sorry! I’ve made these many times, but always for my kiddos for Christmas pajamas or Halloween costumes. I haven’t tried this method on myself with a female shape own shape (bigger hips, etc.) so I’m thinking that would make a difference.
Brandy says
I'm sorry! I've made these many times, but always for my kiddos for Christmas pajamas or Halloween costumes. I haven't tried this method on myself with a female shape own shape (bigger hips, etc.) so I'm thinking that would make a difference.
Jean says
I am making this style pant for my son. I took a pair of his pants, just tried them on (he is taller than I) and the inseam is too short. Do you have an suggestions how I could correct the waist band so the back is taller/fuller than the front? Now that I made these, I see your point.
Brandy says
Hi Jean, the pants are already made and you need to make the alteration? I'm not sure what to do at that point. I'm sorry!
Connie says
Will this work for shorts for children?
Brandy says
Absolutely! You can totally make shorts using this method.
Kate Hall says
I made some pyjama bottoms following these instructions. I wanted to add pockets though, so I followed the advice of a commenter above about making a front and back leg pair, and inserted pockets into the resulting seam. It all worked brilliantly! The instructions and photos are so clear, and easy to follow. I'm really pleased with the result! Many thanks!
Brandy says
I'm so glad it worked out, and pockets would be AWESOME to have!
Michelle Leslie says
Love the fabric you used Brandy. That dancing poodle is too adorable and the tutorial is really easy to follow too