Today I’m re-posting this one hour pjs tutorial from three years ago… I’ve made more of these in those three years and another pair just last weekend. I’m updated the photos and adding a few additional tips to this one hour pjs tutorial.
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One hour Pjs Tutorial and pattern-
I originally had bought a Men’s XXL thermal shirt. I had the idea to make the easiest pjs ever. And when it worked, and I was SO excited… They are SO quick and easy and I think you can use this method up until a 4T, larger if you had a XXL shirt. These aren’t going to win any style awards, but who cares, they are just to sleep in… here we go!
I’m linking this up to Project Run and Play’s up-cycled theme week…
Notes:
1. The blue Pjs are made from a women’s XXL from old Navy… this works but the men’s had more fabric too work with. I was only able to make short sleeves.
3. print the pattern at %100/full size a 3/8 seam allowance in included.
here is a basic diagram to show what part of the shirt you will use for each part of the pjs.
First I cut off the sleeves. (I started with a size large long sleeve shirt made from long underwear material…is there another name for that stuff?)
Measure the inseam of your child. Start from the sleeve hem {you want to keep the hem} and measure up the sleeve. Where you want the crotch seam to start, cut a little notch on the seam side of the sleeve. You can also use another pair of pants to measure how long this should be.
Use any pant pattern you have to get a good center line. You can also use a pair of pants or shorts that currently fit well. Leave some extra on the top for the elastic casing.
If your fit is very tight like this example you won’t even need elastic. Just fold over 1″ and sew. This will hold up like tights. It fits my four year old son fine. If its too loose, thread elastic into the 1″ casing. The smaller the PJ size the more likely you will need elastic. If you are trying squeeze out a 4t like mine you won’t need it!Here is the photo from my previous posting.. you can see how top is wider.
You will end up with two like this; notice I am retaining the sleeve cuff or hem, which is going to become my pant cuff/hem.
Open up and sew center pant seam with right sides together.
TaDa!!! One seam and we already have this!
Create your elastic casing or the non-elastic waist by folding over 1 inch.
Onto the shirt. For this I used the same shirt, just the middle part. I used the hem of the shirt for my hem, and lined up my pattern accordingly. If you double the pattern you can cut the front and back as shown in the first diagram. you can also cut the side seams of the BIG shirt and fold over to use the free pattern.
I was able to cut my sleeves from the top part. See layout above.. The stretch seemed the same going both directions for me, but check this as it will vary from material to material. With this women’s short I was only able to get short sleeves. With a men’s XXL shirt I was able to get long sleeves. The size of your child and the size of your starting shirt will determine sleeve length. I usually use the neck ribbing from the BIG shirt, but this only didn’t have a ribbing neck. I cut a ribbing off another t-shirt. You can also cut fabric 2″x neck length for the ribbing.
sew one of the shoulder seams right sides together.
Pin and sew on the neck ribbing.
Topstitch neckline with a double needle, zig-zag or knit stitch.
Sew up the other shoulder seam.
Pin and sew sleeves..
Turn ride sides together and sew side seams. You don’t have to hem because you used the original shirt hem!
And there you go!! Easy One Hour Pjs!!! Even with photo taking I can make this in about 30 min now…. Because I wanted these to be for winter I did add longer sleeves using the same old t-shirt I cut the neck from. I’m always asking my husband to donate t-shirts to my sewing projects… {ha!} Good thing her works at a school and gets a bunch of free ones from events!
All snuggled in for sleep {yeah right!}
for more of my super Pajama ideas see:
Pam @Threading My Way says
Clever idea to use the arms as legs, Emily. Looks quick and easy. Pinned for future reference.
Emily says
thanks Pam!!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
Love this! The pjs are so cute! I don’t know how to sew, but I’m going to share with my mom in law…my kids have some younger cousins that these would be so cute for!
Emily says
yeah! thanks for sharing!
Stephanie Pass says
Awesome idea! I do similar things with shirts I find at the thrift stores and love for my littlest one.
Jillian says
Such a fabulous way to up-cycle!
Emily says
thanks!
Victoria @ Creative Home Keeper says
That is so cute and a great use of re-purposing older clothes! Stuff like this makes me wish I could sew 🙂
Carisa Smith says
I’m doing this! Totally pinning and everything. We’ve been trying to make due with what we have for our boy Owen, but boy does he need some PJs.
Emily says
GREAT!! glad to inspire… these are a great way to make cheap pjs!
Joanna Sormunen says
Those are really cute pjs! I can’t really sew but I’m going to pin this incase I could get a bit of help later on!
Simple Simon and Co says
LOVE these! Fantastic upcycle!!!
Emily says
thanks!!!
Chelsea says
Great job Emily. I love the fabric choice. I can tell he loves them too!
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says
Emily, you are soooo talented! I wish I knew even half as much about sewing as you do! Love these jammies! 🙂
Emily says
thanks Jamie!!
Danita @O Taste And See says
I love that you do this! I wish I could sew. Love these!
shantel says
I love this so much! Thanks for making a great tutorial!
I featured on my Sew Boy feature
seemesew.blogspot.com
moyaziz says
hi !
I just downloaded your free pattern for this.. just to double check with you about the sizing for 2t.
btw, this is super helpful! im making it!
Katie says
Great idea! Who knew one t-shirt could make a two piece outfit!
Jan Kleckler says
I noticed the capes don’t tie around the neck. Does the tie go around the arms from
the front and then tie in back? I like this because if the kids get rough playing they
won’t have a chocking hazard. I going to be sewing for our 1 year old grandson to
help stretch his family’s budget. He has plenty of clothes until he needs size 3’s but
I want to ‘stock pile’ patterns and ideas for that time. Thank you for your time,
wonderful ideas and patterns.