Patternless PJ Pants

I LOVE a good comfy pair of PJ pants... how about you? Great news, With little to no seewing skills, you can make a pair just like the your favorite pair.

Tools:
~1.5 yards of fabric (If you're a novice seamstress I don't recomend stretchy fabrics until you have done a couple pairs. I'd start with a basic cotton or fleece.)
~1 yard of 1-inch elastic
~Iron
~Sewing Machine
~Matching Thread
~2 Safety Pins

Instructions:
1) Fold your fabric so there are 2 creased pieces on top of one another. Like this:

2) Grab your favorite pajama pants and fold like this, laying it on the fabric. Be sure not to place it on the side with raw edges.

3) Cut out two shapes that look just like your pant leg, but leave about 1 inch extra down the side, 2.75 inches extra at the top, and 2 inches extra at the bottom. This way your new pants won't be too small after you sew the seams.

The pieces will look like this:

4) Sew the inseam of the crotch on the front and back. I like to do a french seam to make it prettier and keep it from fraying. To do this you sew it once on the right side of the fabric only 1/8-1/4" in then you trim close but not through the stitches. Flip the pants inside out, and sew the seam again ensuring you encase the entire original seam within in the other. ALWAYS press your seams after sewing. 

5) Now do the same for the inseam of both legs starting at the cuff to ensure the legs are crisp.


6) Flip your pants inside out (if they're not already) then roll your hem for the cuffs. I do 1" then 1" again, pressing after each fold. Stitch around the edge.

7) Create an elastic casing by making a seem that is 1.5 inches wide (flip then flip again). Leave an open hole of at least 2 inches to insert elastic.

8) Wrap the elastic you bought around your belt line so it is snug but comfortable. Add 1 inch to that measurement and cut.

9) Pin one end of the elastic to the center front. Attach a large safety pin or button to the other end. Use the closed safety pin or button to feed elastic through hole and around waist of pants.

10) When elastic has been fed all the way around, overlap the edges of elastic and stitch them together, reinforcing it at least once. Make sure the elastic isn't twisted inside the casing. Close the waistband and your pants are complete.

Just remember, with planning and organization, you CAN do it all.   

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