inside: Learn to sew family pjs with this free pajama pants pattern and tutorial. Sewing matching pjs for the whole family is simple with this pattern that works for everyone. Easy pajama sewing pattern for free.
**Reposted 11/2021
I could not be more excited for this free pajama pants pattern! Or do you say pyjama pants pattern? {haha} This free pdf sewing pattern is one that the WHOLE FAMILY can use! {we did} This pajama pants sewing pattern is in sizes 2t – Adult XL and the adult XL is not just a womens xl.. {it fits hip 50″}
The pajama pants pattern is unisex in design, so loose fitting and a very easy to sew! We are all very excited about our new pj pants around here. I finished them up right before it got freezing here, so they have been getting a lot of wear.
Pajama Pants Pattern –
It’s not very often you see my whole crew around here… but here we are! Enjoying our pj pants. I got all this flannel last Black Friday at Joann… {$0.49 a yard!!!} I stocked up and have been using it for many projects…
I’ll be out of the country this year on Black Friday, so good thing I bought a lot last year.
These three!! Seriously… I love them so much, but it is SO hard to get a decent photo.. There was a lot of laughing, and then a lot of flopping back onto the bed…
We just embraced the laying down look! Even this was tricky as the boys kept popping their heads up..
Ok! Enough photos of us, let’s get on with making YOU some fun new Pajamas!
My favorite Pajama patterns –
How to make pajama pants –
Go print the free pattern by clicking the image below..
Decide your sizing… the chart is on the pattern and also here… because this is a unisex pattern the sizing is quite different than my other size charts… please just go by the hip measurement and not by age for the kids… my three kids are thin and tall so they are in a xxs, two in S… Just adjust the leg length to fit…
Suggestions…
If making kids and adult sizes print all pages once, then trace on tissue paper for each size
Trim the pages and assemble.. it should look like this… If you’ve only printed some pages you will just be putting the middle part together. Trace the size/s you need. Measure inseam and adjust the leg length as needed.
Fabric needs…{45″ wide flannel or other soft woven}
Kids: XXS and XS = 1 yard, S, M and L = 2.5
Adults: XS, S, M = 2 5/8 yard, L and XL = 2 3/4 yard
{If you are working with what you already have I’ll give tips for making it with less fabric below… using cuffs and a waistband you can reduce the fabric used. }
Elastic – I used 1″ wide for the kids and 1.5″ wide. for the adults. You really can use either if you have on hand.
How to sew pajama pants-
All seams are 3/8″ {1 cm} seam allowance unless otherwise noted.
Trace the pattern and cut out 2 pieces in mirror for the size required. Fold each leg in half with right sides together and sew.
Turn one leg right side out and place one inside the other. Match up the front and back center crotch seams. Sew.
If you have a serger, finish the top of the pants and each leg. If you don’t have a serger press over 1/4″ of the fabric to prepare for next step.
Fold 1″ under and hem each leg. {shorten the legs before you hem}
Fold over the waistband. If using 1″ elastic fold over 1.5″. If you pressed under the 1/4″ to prep make sure that is still turned under so you have a finished raw edge. Need elastic waistband help? Here is my full waistband tutorial.
Sew around the waistband leaving a 2″ opening to thread the elastic.
NOTE: if you want to add pockets, scroll to the bottom for instructions and do so now before you thread the elastic.
Measure your waist and cut elastic 1″ smaller than measurement. Thread the elastic through the casing.
Overlap ends by 1/2″ and stitch. Pull the elastic back inside the casing and sew the opening closed.
Evenly distribute the gathers. Mark the center back and two side. Sew up and down on the elastic to secure in place. This will prevent twisting.
now… let’s say you want to make an adult size and you only have 2 yards of flannel.. this was me.. trying to use up my flannel stash and make my husband the side M adult pajama pants pattern. I was able to make it work with using up scraps from my sons pants and adding cuffs and a waistband to the adult size. Here’s how it will look.
I shortened the top of my pattern by 3″ and made the waistband 3.5″ tall to replace it. You can cut one long piece or two the same width as the top of the pants. The cuff height will depend on how short of fabric you are {haha}. If you are short 3″ on the bottom of the pattern you will cut the cuffs 2x that.. so my pattern was short 3″, so my cuffs are 6″ {plus seam allowance} tall and as wide as the bottom of the pants leg. Cut 2 cuffs.
Fold the cuff in half and match the raw edges with the pants bottom.
Sew and fold open. Top-stitch if you want.
Sew the sides of the waistband together if you cut 2, or just sew the ends together if you cut one long piece.
Fold the waistband in half and match raw edges with top of pants. Sew waistband to pants leaving a 2″ opening to thread elastic.
If you are adding pockets do so now with the instructions below. The thread elastic.
Measure, thread and sew the elastic as described above.
Want to add pockets? Add before you thread the elastic. You can add to any size like this… Trace your hand {or the hand of the pants owner} onto a piece of paper. Draw an oval around the hand and add the wingy part that ends in a straight line.. this is where you will sew to the pants. Cut 4 {two pairs}.
Sew the curved edge of the pocket. Lay the pants flat so the center seams are in the middle and the sides are a flat fold. On your pants measure down 2.5″ from the top and line up the pocket with the side. Cut open the side of the pants from top to bottom of pocket.
Turn the pocket right side out and flip your pants to the inside. Place the pocket in the hole with the right side of the pocket touching the right side of the pants. {this is from the inside of the pants view} Pin in place. Sew.
This is what it looks like from the right side of the pants. Push the pock into the pants.
Top stitch from top to bottom on front and back of the pants.
Peggy Cousar says
Hi. Can you tell me why there is a little side piece at the very bottom of the leg? It is too small to make it a flare leg, so I am not sure if I am missing something. Thanks.
Bren says
I believe that is where you fold or for the hem
Gloria McAdams says
I think you are talking about the flare to make the hem lay flat. Without that the hem will pucker some.
Tia Robertson says
Tha k you so much for the pattern- it’s my first effort to measure myself against the pattern for fit, and not only did it turn out, but I was able to put a pair together in under an hour including cut-out time. I’ll be making a couple more and adding pockets in the process, but your pattern just broke my “absolutely awful pattern” streak when it came to wide leg pants! (Previous efforts resulted in thighs not fitting, crotch lengths being WAY too short, and other maladies). I now have a working pair!
Anthea says
I have signed up and everything, but I have never been able to get one free pattern. I’m trying to download the free pjamas pattern. Maybe im missing something.
Emily says
I’m sorry you are having trouble. YOu can go to my shop and add patterns to your cart before you check out..
Debbie Beck says
Thank you! I am teaching my 10 year old granddaughter to sew and we are making Pajamas pants for her family. This free pattern will help with our budget!
Lauren says
Does the hip measurement here refer to the waistband circumference or the circumference at the widest point of the thighs/bottom?
genevieve brunelle says
Hi Thank you, for the free pattern. My hip measurement is 39″ I made the medium, it turned out way too big! It was more like an xxLarge size. I personnaly think your measurements are way off?
Emily says
hmmm, I haven’t heard this before.. I have a 38 hips and have made both the small and the medium for myself and they fit well…
Rebekah Donohue says
I had the same problem. I measure 39″, made a medium, and they are giant. I knew to expect loose pants, but these are just so big they are not wearable. I think I’ll just rip them out and type to find a different pattern. Bummed that I cut the fabric so big…
Missy Stevens says
I noticed on the printout that the hip measurement for the kids 14-16 is listed as larger than the adult xs. Is that an error? I’m excited to use this pattern to make marching cousin Christmas pjs. 😊
Melanie Palmer says
This looks right. Size 14-16 is size 14-16 – it’s not the age of the child (as you use for younger children). So size 14-16 patterns usually follow those measurements.
Joanne Wicks says
Thank you Emily,!
Tabitha Eakes says
When I fold the leg in half it doesn’t line up. If I line up the point on the crotch the leg doesn’t line up, one side is shorter than the other. What am I doing wrong?
Emily says
Hi! Some of the sizes do have this issue. I’m sorry. Just go ahead and trim the longer size. You will probably have to adjust the leg length anyway.
Juvonna Jenkins says
I love this pattern. Thank you for posting it. Its very easy and comes together fast. I had to go up a few sizes in the waist for my daughter and son. Because of this the legs are wider that I would like, especially for my son. How can I bring in the legs for a closer fit?
Anna Leontaras says
It might be useful to others to note that because the file actually includes the blank pages in the grid, the pdf contains 30 pages, not the 26 which are numbered. In other words, the page numbered “6” in the above diagram is actually the 7th page 7 in the file, so be careful if specifying just some of the pages for printing!
(Which I was doing, BTW, because we’re running low on printer paper and are on full lockdown with most retail stores closed so getting more in is not as easy as it usually is! For that reason, I’m only printing the critical pages, and will use baking paper to fill in the areas that are just straight lines … which will make sense to anyone who’s ever drafted a pattern!)
Anita Lemire says
Can I skip the elastic waist and put in a drawstring instead? I’m thinking it would be more comfortable and adjustable for me.
Lisa says
Is there a way to get the pattern all on 1 sheet instead of the 30 separate pages?
Sh Ha says
Is the seam allowance included in the pattern or does it need to be added?
Noora Fahad says
Hi
Thanks for the free pattern. What’s the size of printing paper?? How to know if the printed pattern is in the right scale?
Thanks.
Kathryn Piper says
Thanks so much for this pattern! I love that you gave options…I made the option where you just fold over the pattern to get the casing…I made 2 pairs from cotton fabric that i already had….love them!
Kathy Richdale says
Those were the most unfriendly pockets to sew on!!
Talia Tsouros says
What scaling do I use when printing this pattern?
Grace Ng says
Do the pattern include the 1cm allowance?
Emily says
yes!
Jan says
Please clarify the waistband and cuff adjustments. I see what you did with your example (reduce pattern by 3″ and cut waistband 6 1/2″). Where did you measure your 3″ from? Was it the top of the pattern piece or the folded over waistband line? Do you take into account the elastic casing? I’m just thinking the rise may be too baggy if we measure down from the top of the pattern piece. Also, is the cuff line the bottom of the pattern or the folded over hem line? Am I thinking into this too much?
Jan says
To clarify my question: If using one fabric, you need to fold the top to make the elastic casing. When you add a different fabric to make a new waistband to the top, you no longer fold over the original elastic casing amount. That’s why I’m confused on where to measure down when cutting the main fabric. I was thinking the rise may be too much.?
Dessie Willnauer says
Hello! I’m excited to make these pajamas for my family this Christmas! I saw a grainline on the pattern and was hoping you could elaborate on that. The fabric I have doesn’t really have a particular orientation, how is it supposed to line up? Thanks!
Emily says
it really can go either way. I’ve made pjs with fabric cut however it fits best. ;o)