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.
Dotti Calhoun says
Is there a printable version of the photo tutorial? I received the pattern, and was hoping the instructions would come with it. I have a very hard time when it comes to instructions on a webpage, and would like to make a hard copy for myself.
Emily says
no there is not a printable instruction sheet. sorry
Jordan Talas says
How do I print this? i was able to download. Does it need to be on A4 paper ? I feel like my pattern is getting strunk and im not getting the right size.
Donna Weikel says
Thanks so much for this pattern!!! Life saver somehow can not find last years patterns for Christmas Jammie shorts (florida ) Thanks again !!!!
Donna
Carina says
Hi Emily,
Thank you for the free pdf pattern!
Worked like a charm – quick and easy!
Joan Williams says
Thank you Emily for the Free PDF Pattern. Keep sharing these resources. You are doing amazing job.
gilten m says
Question when taping pieces together to make the full pattern it doesnt really match? Am I to trim of each sheet or NO trimming????
Emily says
You trim each sheet…
Gayle Farr says
Thank you for this pattern. 25 years ago I adapted a pair of one seam ModRobes pants to a one seam pattern, then foolishly lent it out and never got it back. Was so pleased to find this one and bonus is that it was offered free. I will be adding patch pockets to the pattern as I did with the ModRobes pattern as requested by my 50+++ sons……similar to scrub pants pockets. Currently printing all sizes so I have them. Again thank you so much.
Barb says
I printed this pattern off. I was very disappointed with it. The legs were extremely large. When sewing the sides together to make the legs. One side was larger than the other,they didn’t line up.
Emily says
Yes, the back is wider than the front and it is a wide leg pattern
Barbara Mary Schneider says
when I cut the fabric with the pattern, do I place the pattern on the right side of the fabric or the wrong side of the fabric?
Emily says
either is fine
Beth says
you are so generous to share this user friendly pattern and photo directions! Wow! blessed! to
I am using it to teach my niece how to sew!
Thank you!
Vanessa Ting says
Such a millennial question… But if I post up this lovely make on Instagram, how should I credit/hashtag it? For the record I’m 36 😂😂 and social media is not really my thing but I feel compelled to credit you properly as I share to family and friends
Emily says
haha! I’d love a tag at @lifesewsavory, but just mention is fine.
Katherine Harrison says
I have a 36″ waist, do you know what size pattern I should use? So loved your vintage sheet pj’s, they look great on you. Many Thanks for the tutorial.
Virginia says
Thank you so much. I have used this pattern for 3 years now and I love it It is so easy and I can print it out for all my grandchildren. I start at the biggest, cut it out and go to the smallest and just keep cutting away at the pattern. So much easier than a store bought pattern.
Thank you.
Emily says
So great! What a good tip about the sizing/cutting too
Tiff says
Great pattern! My daughter made her dad some pajama pants last night with it!
She wanted me to ask, what are you using for your pins
and where do you get them? They look like tiny clamp claws.
Thanks!
Emily says
They are sewing clips. YOu can find them online. I got mine here on Amazon – https://amzn.to/3QLNVOi
Megan says
I loved a FREE pattern that made pants for my whole family! Thanks for so generously sharing your skills, pattern, and info. I got a *little* carried away and made EIGHT pairs for Halloween this year! Between our family and my brother and his 2 kids, everybody has a size that fits them. They are much roomier than any of us were anticipating, but they sure are cozy. I made mine and my son’s pants into joggers. Thanks a bunch!
susan leerhoff says
I love this pattern it has been the easiest and fastest pattern i have seen yet. and nice hints on what to do with not enough material, pockerts and cuffs. thank – you so much!
Rachelle Jackson says
These are great. Thanks for providing them. My teenagers love them so much I have had to make lots of extra pairs for them to wear to school. it seems to be the pant of choice for teens now a days. Thanks so much.
Paulina Kaczmarek says
Great tutorial! But I have one question, does the pattern comes with seam allowance or I have to add it by myself? I am sorry if I missed something, I am not that good at English and I couldn’t find that information.
Emily says
yes, the pattern comes with seam allowance 3/8″ or one cm.
Alicia Lawrence says
I’m so excited to use this pattern!! Can I use it with knit fabrics as well or do I need to made adjustments?
Thanks!! Alicia
Emily says
I’ve made this with knits! Especially thicker ones like french terry work well!
Christy says
I’ll start by saying I don’t love to sew clothing. I know enough to get by so when my grandson saw some football fabric he liked he asked if I could make him a pair of pajamas. I couldn’t find a traditional pattern at the local fabric store because they hadn’t bothered to fill their patterns into the drawer in some time, so I went searching online. I found your website and printed the pattern. I have had the most challenging time putting the pattern together. The first row came out great and was fun however, by the second row, nothing lined up anymore. It was the most frustrating experience. I made two attempts. I doubt I will ever print a pdf pattern again. I like your tutorial instructions for assembling the pajama pants. It’s very well done and easy to follow.