Project by Katie Done
If you watched the Great British Sewing Bee celebrity Christmas special, you will be aware that anyone can make a pair of pyjama bottoms. I drafted this simple pattern from an existing pair of pyjama trousers so you can apply this to any size you want, young and old.
The latest licensed collection from The Craft Cotton Company is with Thomas and Friends, it is the perfect fabric to make some pyjama bottoms for my little boy. The fabric is 100% cotton, with no stretch so it is easy to work with.
YOU WILL NEED
· Cotton fabric (amount depends on the size you are making)
· Dressmakers chalk
· Scissors
· Sewing machine
· 1" wide elastic
· Safety Pin
· White t-shirt
· Pins
· Bondaweb
· Iron and Ironing board
METHOD
PYJAMA BOTTOMS
1. The first thing you need to do is get a pair of trousers or pyjamas that you want to take a pattern from. I used some that George has grown out of although they are ok around the waist, I added some length to them.
Fold your fabric in half vertically and lay your trousers on top. Smooth them out as much as possible.
Draw around your trousers with a 1/2" seam allowance. Allow an extra 1.5" on the top edge and 1" on the bottom. Square off the pattern around the elastic. The elastic is shorter than the waistband so you need room for it to stretch.
2. Cut out your pattern and then use it as a template to make another 2. You will need four identical pieces in total.
3. Place two pieces right sides together and sew up the straight edge. Repeat on the other leg and you will have two that look like this.
4. With right sides together place both legs together and sew them up along the short curved edge, the crotch, on each side. Finish your seams as you go. I have used the overlocker but you can use a zig zag stitch, or whatever your preferred finish is.
5. Sew up the inside legs, matching up the crotch seam. Finish your raw edges.
6. Turn up the leg hems by half an inch, press, turn them up by another half inch, press again and sew. Repeat on both legs.
7. Turn and press the waist by half an inch, and then an inch (or whatever width elastic you are using). Top stitch it down as close to the edge as can to create the channel for your elastic. Ensure your elastic will fit through. Leave a 2" opening to insert the elastic.
To work out the length of elastic you need, measure the waist of who it is for. I have done mine an inch smaller than this measurement. When sewn together it will be around 2" shorter and will gather just enough to stay up. You may want to adjust this depending on the stretch of the elastic you are using.
8. Attach a safety pin to one end of your elastic to make it easier to thread. Hold onto the other end so you don't lose it. Sew the two ends of the elastic together securely, ensuring it hasn't twisted in the process. Adjust the gathers to make sure they are nice and even. Sew the opening closed.
PYJAMA TOP
Making a buttoned up pyjama top can look a little daunting, so if you want a top to match that is super easy, this method is great. You just need a plain t-shirt to start with and can customise it with some fabric offcuts from the trousers.
1. Decide what fabric you are going to use and work around what you have left. I had some with the white background too, so I have done a circle in the white and a blue G in the centre. I have done a blue A on its own onto a babygrow for Alfie.
2. Draw whatever design you want onto some Bondaweb, but remember it needs to be back to front when you draw onto the paper side. It may be easier to draw your design on paper in a thick marker so you can see it through the back of the paper and then trace over it.
Bondaweb is a sewing room essential. I use it all the time, the one I used is from Bosal. it is basically double sided tape for sewing. One side is glue, the other is paper. Once you have stuck it to the back of whatever you are appliqueing, you can then stick it to your main project.
3. Cut around the design roughly and iron it onto the wrong side of your fabric. Check the instructions of the brand you are using but generally start on a low temperature with no steam and work your way up if you need to.
4. Peel the backing off and put it into position. I have layered up, so I am doing the G before sewing it onto the t-shirt.
5. Use the stitch of your choice to stitch your design into place. I have gone with a very close together zig zag stitch in blue for the G and then in white for the circle.
Now your t-shirt is finished!
George loves them and they are the first back on when they have been washed. He has now challenged me to make some more.
To see more from Katie, follow her on Instagram @thefabricsquirrel
Made by Katie Done for The Craft Cotton Co 2021
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