We were planning a tutorial for a cute child's leotard today but we had to postpone for a week as we just couldn't wait to share this fantastic tutorial by a very special guest.
Today we are very excited to have Charlotte Newland as our guest blogger! Charlotte fell in love with our new Pineapples on Robin Egg Blue Cotton Jersey and decided to make some pyjama trousers with it. Here is how she did it...

Hi Everyone, Charlotte here!
Lazing around on the sofa is one of my favourite weekend
activities, made all the more wonderful by wearing a cute pair of pjs (or you
can call them lounge pants if you want to feel classy). You can sew up a simple
pair of jersey pjs in around an hour for a perfect quick sewing fix.
You will need:
A pair of loose fitting pyjama bottoms that fit you comfortably
1.5 m wide cotton jersey fabric (1.5 m for sizes 12/14 and under,
2.5 m for larger sizes)
1 – 1.5 m of 5 cm wide elastic
Sewing machine
Serger/overlocker (optional)
First, fold your fabric lengthwise and lay your existing pjs with
the outside leg seam lined up with the fold:
Make sure that the folded section is just slightly wider than
needed – if you make it too wide then you might not have enough fabric for both
trouser legs to fit across the width.
Cut around the pjs, making sure that you stretch out the elastic
waistband to see its true size. Leave about 1.5 cm seam allowance at the crotch
and inside leg, 2.5 cm at the hem, and 12 cm at the waist:
Use the trouser leg you have just cut out as a pattern to cut out
another. You should be able to fit this in the remaining width of the fabric
for size 12/14 and under. Larger sizes will probably need to use additional
fabric (see above). I am about a size 14 and managed to fit my pieces across
the width quite comfortably.
Fold each leg piece right sides together and sew along the inside
leg seam with a 1.5 cm seam allowance. You can use an overlocker or a medium
zigzag stitch on a regular machine (3 length × 3 width):
Turn one leg right side out and insert it into the other leg,
lining up the inside leg seams. Align the crotch seam and sew from front to
back with a 1.5 cm seam allowance:
When you pull the legs inside out again you will have something
that looks decidedly trouserish:
The next step is to make the channel for the elastic. Finish the
waistband edge on the overlocker (if you want), then fold the top of the
trousers over by 6 cm. Pin in place and stitch close to the edge using a medium
zigzag. Remember to leave a gap at the centre back so you can thread the
elastic through:
Measure the elastic by wrapping it around your waist so that it
stretches a little but feels comfortable. Overlap the ends by about 2 cm, and
cut to that length. Thread the elastic through the casing using a safety pin:
Try on your pjs, and when you’re happy with the fit at the waist
you can sew the ends of the elastic together. Use a zigzag and go backwards and
forwards a few times for strength:
Now you can close up the opening in the casing. I like to sew a
label into the waistband while I do it, partly so I know where the back is (not
that it really matters), and partly because I have about a million labels. At
this point it’s a good idea to stitch in the ditch in the front and back
vertical seams so that the elastic doesn’t get twisted in the wash.
The last step is to hem your pjs. Try them on to check the length
first, and then turn the excess to the inside and secure with a zigzag stitch.
Done! Practical and comfy!
Thank you so much Charlotte! What an amazingly simple make for something you will wear every day (or night!).
Charlotte used Cotton Jersey for her pyjama bottoms. A few of her favourite picks from the store are below -
If you haven't visited Charlotte's blog - http://www.charlottenewland.com/ then get yourself over there! She has some fantastic tutorials, great hints and tips, all brilliantly written with wit and humour.

For more ideas, patterns and tutorials, follow Girl Charlee's board on Pinterest.

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Happy Sewing!
~ Jen & The Girl Charlee Team
Haha I love the label!
ReplyDeleteGreat isn't it! I'm guessing it says "bloody well made by Charlotte" Hopefully no blood spilt on this make!
DeleteThe pineapple print is fab. I think pineapples are the new owls ... I'm seeing them on all sorts of things this summer.
ReplyDeletePineapples rule! Oranges are definitely not the only fruit!
Delete