These little short pyjamas are perfect as a first project if you are new to sewing. I drafted a pattern on the day before we left for holiday when I realised that we were heading for 35 degrees and all we had were thick fleecy English-style PJs. You can find a pattern here for an approximate age 9, an age 12 (adult SMALL) and an adult MEDIUM. Anything in between can be easily guessed at.
All you need is around a metre of fabric. Mine were both made from the remnant box, along with some ribbon for the straps. And of course you will need enough elastic to go comfortably round the waist. You can download the pattern HERE.
You cut 2 of each pattern piece and, marked on the pattern, is the fold at the top to insert the elastic.
The PJs for my younger daughter are made from a lovely Liberty cotton / viscose and are really soft. I was scraping the fabric barrel a bit more for my other daughter. Â I love this Day of the Dead pattern cotton but there was not quite enough, hence the co-ordinating strip down the side to
add a bit of width. The cotton is
great for hot weather as it is breathable and washes
beautifully, but it isn’t quite as soft to wear as the viscose.
I didn’t have a chance to buy any supplies for making these PJs, hence the green crushed velvet ribbon on the Liberty fabric might not quite be weather-appropriate. Â The magenta embroidered braid adds a funky touch to the skulls.
The matching tops are easy enough to make as well. I haven’t included a pattern for these as they are such a straightforward shape. You need to cut a rectangle of fabric – WIDTH – Just take a chest measurement (Â add about 5cm extra for comfort.) LENGTHÂ from the approximate neckline down to the hip. Don’t forget to add a little extra for seam allowance. Cut a slight scoop under the arm as shown here in the diagram.
To make the shorts:
• Sew the 2 fronts together along the curved edge
• Sew the 2 back together along the curved edge.
• Sew the front to the backs along the straight edge.
• Hem the bottoms.
• Fold over the top on the marked fold line to make a waistband and sew it in place leaving a 1 inch open gap.
• Thread your elastic through the open gap in the waistband and knot the elastic to fit.
To make the top:
• Cut a front and back as shown – they are both the same shape for this loose fitting cami top
• Sew up the sides of the top.
• Then hem them all the way around the top with a little roll hem.
• Then stitch on the ribbon or braid across the top front, leaving enough excess to go over the shoulders to form straps.
• Attach the straps the the back of the top.
• Hem the bottom.
