Making pajama shorts can be a fun and rewarding project for anyone who loves sewing and wants to create their own comfortable and stylish loungewear. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced seamstress, creating your own pajama shorts pattern is easy with a few simple steps. In this guide, we'll take you through the process of making a pattern for pajama shorts, from taking measurements to cutting the fabric and assembling the shorts.
Step 1: Taking measurements
The first step in creating a pajama shorts pattern is to take accurate measurements of the person who will be wearing them. You'll need to measure the waist, hips, and inseam. To measure the waist, wrap a measuring tape around the narrowest part of the waist, usually just above the belly button. For the hips, wrap the measuring tape around the widest part of the hips, usually at the top of the buttocks. To measure the inseam, measure from the crotch down to where you want the shorts to end.
Step 2: Drafting the pattern
Once you have your measurements, you'll need to draft the pattern. To do this, you'll need a large piece of paper or tracing paper, a pencil, a ruler, and a French curve.
Start by drawing a rectangle on the paper that is the width of the waist measurement plus 2 inches (for ease) and the length of the desired shorts length plus 2 inches (for seam allowance and hem). Divide the waist measurement by 4 and mark this measurement at the top of the rectangle. From this point, draw a straight line down to the length measurement. This will be the center front of the comfy short pajamas.
Next, draw a line perpendicular to the center front line at the top of the rectangle that is half the hip measurement plus 1 inch. This will be the side seam. From the bottom of the side seam, draw a straight line to the center front line to create the hem.
Using the French curve, curve the waistline and the side seam to create a smooth, flowing shape. The back pattern will be identical to the front, so you can simply trace the front pattern and flip it over to create the back pattern.
Step 3: Cutting the fabric
Now that you have your pattern, it's time to cut the fabric. Fold your fabric in half, right sides together, and place your pattern on top. Pin the pattern to the fabric and cut around it, making sure to cut through both layers of fabric.
Step 4: Sewing the shorts
With the fabric cut, it's time to start sewing. Begin by sewing the side seams together, right sides together. Press the seams open. Next, fold the shorts in half, right sides together, and sew the inseam together. Press the inseam open.
Now it's time to add the waistband. Cut a strip of fabric that is the same width as the top of the shorts and about 2 inches longer than the waist measurement. Fold the strip in half, right sides together, and sew the short ends together to create a loop. Press the seam open.
Next, fold the waistband in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press. Pin the raw edge of the waistband to the top of the shorts, right sides together, and sew around the top, leaving about 2 inches open to insert elastic. Cut a length of elastic that is the same length as the waist measurement minus 2 inches. Insert the elastic into the waistband and sew the ends of the elastic together. Sew the opening in the waistband closed.
Finally, hem the bottom of the pajamas shorts by folding the fabric up 1/2 inch and then another 1/2 inch and sewing around the hem.