Pyjama Shorts

These pyjama shorts are super simple to make and extremely comfortable. Personalise them by using patterned fabric, recycling some old clothes or adding some lace and pompoms. Whether you simply want a new pair of pyjamas or are looking for a weekend project, these pyjama shorts are sure to impress everyone at your next slumber party.

MATERIALS:

1 x Shorts Pattern

1 x Elastic Strip

Fabric of Your Choice

Thread

EQUIPMENT:

Large Fabric Scissors

Pins

Quick Unpick

One Large Safety Pin

Sewing Machine

Needle

Collect your fabric and iron to remove any creases. This will assist in achieving more accurately shaped fabric pieces when you cut around the pattern.

Depending on the type of fabric that you choose to use, you may wish to place a pillowcase or blanket over the top before you attempt to iron it. This will prevent the fabric from burning or melting. This can also be avoided by changing your iron to the appropriate setting for the fabric that you are using.

Collect the pattern pieces, fabric scissors, pins and recently ironed fabric.

Select the patten piece for the back of the shorts.

Place the pattern piece onto the fabric and pin into place around the edges.

Using the fabric scissors, carefully cut around the pattern piece.

Remove the pins and separate the pattern piece from the fabric.

Flip the back pattern piece over and place onto the fabric. Pin into place.

Be sure to flip the pattern piece over so that you get a left and a right side of the shorts.

Using the fabric scissors, carefully cut around the edges of the pattern piece.

Collect the pattern piece for the front of the shorts.

Place it onto the fabric and pin into place.

Carefully cut around the pattern piece, using the fabric scissors.

Flip the front pattern piece over and place onto the fabric. Pin into place.

Again be sure to flip the pattern piece over so that you get a left and a right side of the shorts.

Carefully cut around the pattern piece using the fabric scissors.

Be sure to save the scrap fabric for use in future projects.

Lay the fabric pieces out on a flat surface as shown above.

Flip the front pieces over so that the wrong side of the fabric is facing up.

Place the front pieces on top of the back pieces, ensuring that the right sides of the fabric are together.

Pin the fabric pieces together along the side seams, as shown in the pictures above.

On the sewing machine, stitch along the line of pins using a straight-stitch. I used a 1 cm seam allowance.

Remove the pins and lay out on a flat surface as shown above.

Pin the inner leg, as shown in the picture above.

On the sewing machine, stitch along the line of pins using a straight stitch.

Next stitch along both edges of the leg pieces using a zig-zag stitch.

This with strengthen the seam and prevent fraying.

Collect one of the leg pieces and turn it the right way out.

Keeping the other turned the wrong-way-out, place this leg inside the other.

Pin the two legs together along the curved edge of the crutch.

On the sewing machine, stitch along the line of pins using a straight-stitch.

Next, stitch along the edge of the crutch using a zig-zag stitch as shown in the picture above.

Turn the shorts inside out and trim any loose thread that can be seen around the edges.

Fold the bottom of the legs about a centimetre inwards.

Repeat this so that it has been folded twice and pin into place.

This will make the hem on the bottom of the shorts.

On the sewing machine, stitch along the folded edge of the hem using a straight stitch.

This will secure the folds in place and maintain the hem.

Collect the shorts and the strip of elastic.

Place the elastic along the top of the shorts, as shown in the picture above, taking note of its width and its distance from the top edge of the shorts.

Remove the elastic and open the top of the shorts.

Using the same method as the hem on the bottom of the shorts, fold the top edge of the shorts down twice, ensuring that the fold is wide enough for the elastic to fit through. (casing)

Pin into place.

On the sewing machine, stitch along the folded edge of the casing using a straight-stitch.

Lay the shorts on a flat surface and pull the front down to reveal the back casing, as shown in the photo above.

Using the quick-unpick, unpick the stitching along the inside seam of the back casing.

Take care to only unpick one layer, as this will prevent the casing from unravelling completely and make it easier to stitch the hole closed later.

Collect the elastic strip and the safety pin.

Attach the safety pin to the end of the elastic.

Thread the safety pin through the hole created in the casing of the shorts earlier.

Push the fabric along the elastic, keeping hold of the safety pin, until the elastic extends all the way around the waistband. Pull the safety pin through the opposite side of the same hole.

Overlap the two ends of the elastic, pulling them towards each other to gather the waistband to the required size.

Place the safety pin through both ends of the elastic to secure in place.

Collect a needle and thread.

Stitch along the top and bottom of the overlapped elastic to join them together.

Cut any excess elastic off the end of the waistband, ensuring that you do not cut too close to the stitching.

Collect a needle and thread.

Stitch the hole in the waistband closed.

Your new pyjama shorts are ready to wear!