inside: Sew yourself super comfy shorts with this Women’s Pj Shorts Free Pattern. Sew with knit or woven fabric this PJ shorts pattern is perfect for sleep or lounge wear.
I just can’t stop with the free patterns. I’m loving simple-clean styles and they patterns just whip up so easy- I have to share with you! Today I’ve got a Women’s PJ Shorts free pattern and tutorial for you all. I’ve done so many PJ patterns/tutorials for kids, I thought it was time I get in on that action… These PJ shorts come in sizes xxs-xxl and have two leg lengths. I’m still wearing flannel Pjs around here, but dreaming of spring coming soon and being able to wear these.
Have you joined our FB group? It’s a great place to keep up with the free patterns and also get support on using them.
Womens Pj Shorts Free Pattern
You can find the full long leg version of these with my wide leg lounge pants pattern HERE. I love how my two new pairs turned out. One with knit and the other with a vintage sheet {cotton}.
Here you can see the same size shorts sewn with different fabrics for two fun looks! I also added pockets in the cotton version and the waistbands are different heights.
This is a really fun pattern to make with vintage sheets… like my floral pair. You can also find a capri vintage sheet version in this post here.
You can lengthen the pattern if you also want to use these as lounge wear. I personally like the shorter ones for sleeping, but they are a bit short if I’m going to be around other people. Here are the longer ones in action… perfect for relaxing!
Both shorts fit great, but the knit version is a bit roomier. They both are SO comfortable and I think the floral pair would be fun for wearing out and about as well.
I end up wearing comfy shorts a lot when I’m home… reading… relaxing or gardening.
The short ones are cute too! Great for sleeping and hot summer nights.
Which do you prefer? The 3″ inseam or the 6″ inseam?
Want to make you own cute PJ shorts? Let’s get started with the full photo tutorial. As always, let me know if you have any questions! I’m here to help.
Free Pattern Sewing Tutorial –
PJ Shorts Supplies:
- 1 yard of fabric {maybe just over for the largest sizes}. Use lightweight cotton, vintage sheets or knit fabric. LINK to vintage sheets here.
- satin {or satin-like} for the waistband. 1/4 yard is plenty. You can also use the same fabric as the shorts.
- 2″ or 1.5″ wide elastic- enough to go around your hips.
Print your pattern Women’s Pj Shorts free pattern HERE and let’s get started!
Here is the layout guide.
All Seams are sewn at 3/8″- unless otherwise noted.
Cut out your fabric as instructed on the pattern pieces. The waistband piece is a chart on the pattern. Cut waistband according to chart.
NOTE: This is a very fun pattern to make with vintage sheets… just lay the edge of the pattern on the finished sheet edge. If you want shorter shorts, fold the pattern edge up or cut to shorten.
With right sides together sew the two front pieces together at the crotch seam and the two back pieces together at the same place.
{optional side slit directions} Finish the sides of the front and back pieces with a serger or zig zag. DO NOT sew together yet.
If adding pockets do so now. See pocket directions in LONG Pants version OR video tutorial of this post. You can draw your own pocket piece or use the one in the long pants version – print only pages 23/24 of that pattern for pocket piece.
It’s fun to use a different fabric for the pocket. I like how it peaks in the side seam.
Starting at the top of shorts, sew side seams together at 3/8″ seam allowance until you are 3″ from the bottom of the shorts. {sew around pockets if included} Stop sewing and secure.
Sew the inseam with right sides together. Hem the shorts by folding and pressing up 1/4″ then another 1/2″ to finished hem. Sew {you will have openings on both side seams still}
Now you have hemmed the shorts and you still have an opening like this on the sides.
Turn to the inside of shorts and pin the seam allowance over.
Turn to right side and sew around the slit as shown here.
If you don’t want to add the side slit {I didn’t in my short versions} simply sew side seam and them hem the bottom of your shorts or use a pre-hemmed sheet .
Womens Pj Shorts Free Pattern Waistband
The waistband dimensions listed on the pattern pieces are for 2″ wide elastic. You can easily use 1.5″ elastic by removing 1″ of width from the waistband when cutting. The chart is on the printable pattern pieces, but you can also cut with this chart here.
Lay the waistband piece along the top of the shorts to make sure the length is right. Depending on what fabric you are using you may need to shorten the waistband a bit to fit. Sew the short ends together.
Fold the long edges of the waistband together. Match the seam to the back seam of the shorts, then match the other half to the front seam and work between the two to pin the waistband to the shorts.
Sew the waistband to the shorts and leave a 2″ opening at the back of the shorts to thread the elastic.
Sew the ends of the elastic together then pull it into the waistband and sew the opening closed. Stretch the elastic to spread gathers evenly, and stitch on the side seams to secure elastic in place.
And you are done! They are the same except for the length. The more you wear these, the more comfortable they will be! Please let me know if you have any questions, comments or concerns!
Here’s one last link to go download the pattern in case you missed the first one. Women’s FREE PJ shorts Pattern LINK.
Other Womens patterns you may enjoy!
The Long pant version of these shorts... with soft knit waistband
Womens classic fitted tee – perfect companion to these shorts.
Sheila Robson says
I love these, and want to make these for my granddaughters (as opposed to knit cycling type shorts). Do you have an equivalent for girls? If so I’ve missed it. I thought of just trying to make a smaller version of this by drawing inside the XXS size lines, but realised it wouldn’t work as the hip to waist ratio is different. (The two 7 year-olds have a ratio of 84% and 87% waist to hip, the 6 year old 89% and the 4 year old 90%, while the smallest women’s sizes the ratio is 70%.) Or can I cut the family PJ pattern shorter – would that work?
Emily says
I do not really have a pattern like this for kids…
Zelma Murray says
if I’m sizing a pattern, I measure the difference in the sizes on the pattern. then I use that measurement. So if size A and size B is 1/2 inch different on the side seam….you add or subtract 1/2 inch. measure each area of the pattern because the measurements will be different on different areas.
Paola says
Me encantas tus patrones. La verdad que son medidas totalmente reales. Estoy contentísima con la pagina, hace tiempo que buscaba patrones gratuitos y no enganchada con moldes lindos, lo que se veía de muestra no era lo que quedaba cuando lo cortaba y cosia. Los tuyos quedan perfectos e igual a la foto. Como no hablo nada de inglés la página me lo recomendo una amiga y gracias al traductor puedo entender la pagina perfectamente. Estoy feliz con tus patrones.
Robyn says
I notice some of the shorts have a ribbon drawstring. Is this included in the pattern? Thanks.
Camila says
i followed the size chart and they turned out very big, i knew they were wide leg but the waist is also very big.
Laura Holm says
Thank you so much for your free patterns and detailed tutorials for sewing! I just finished these shorts and they look great! I added 2-1/4″ to the bottom because I’m an old lady. I added 1″ to the top of the pattern, but I don’t think I needed to. Will make a 2nd pair without the additional 1″.
Emily says
wonderful!!
Zelma Murray says
HOW FAR OF AN OVERLAP IS THERE ON THE PAPER WHEN YOU ARE LAYING IT OUT?
Stephanie Moore says
Made it! love them, I also made them out of a sheet. I then made a matching top. Thank you, You have reinspired me to give following patterns a second chance. I have not yet learned pattern language but I feel a little more confident in trying again.
Heather says
I love these shorts! I have made 3 pairs of these (so far) and of linen and quilting cotton and wear them as every day shorts. So much more comfortable than ready to wear shorts. And the pockets are perfect for stowing all the wipes, crackers, toys, rocks etc. that a mother ends up carrying around.
Robbin Peterson says
Where is the video? I see references to a video but can’t find it.
Robyn says
I want to love your page. Unfortunately, like with SO MANY blogs, I can barely read any content whatsoever because the entire screen is crowded with advertisements and videos. I get that you are paid to have advertisements on your page but for goodness’ sake, it’s gotten to be too much!!
veronica says
`I was wondering if anyone has made the 3xl version? i followed the pattern exactlybut after cutting bmyb fabvric i notice that the fron is way shorter then the backand not as wide? i went back nand checked if i cut the correct size and yes i did . then i noticed that the two pattern pieces dont line up either and knew it wasnt me. this is such a waste of fabric!
Jessica says
Same!!!!! And nothing ever fixed the issue. I tried to make it work and it was awful! Idk if this pattern is actually big girl friendly.
Emily says
The front can be not as wide as the back. this is very normal, the back needs more room for our backsides.. the front is more narrow. This is as it should be.
things to do says
Thank you so much for the pattern! This will be my first project this year.
Sarah Kenney says
Thank you for the pattern and the tutorial. As a novice to sewing (I’ve only made pillowcases before successfully), I’ve found both the printed instructions and the video tutorial a bit difficult to follow unfortunately. This is probably my fault, since your post does not specify that this tutorial is beginner-friendly!
I am making the large size, and the back piece is about 2″ wider than the front piece. I’m puzzled as to how to effectively attach the waistband to the shorts, as it seems there would have to be some gathering involved?
Emily says
The back of the shorts can be wider than the back. This is not a problem at all. The waistband will fit the shorts and the elastic will gather both together.