Learn how to sew pajama pants out of old sheets that are soft and pretty without using a pattern. It's a great way to upcycle or recycle old or vintage linens into a practical piece of clothing.
My daughter had this set of yellow and white floral sheets from Pottery Barn a long time ago. They are super soft and worn, and the bottom sheet is torn, but I never threw them out. I thought, why not make something out of them.
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I decided to make some pj pants with a basic elastic waist.
I liked the fact that the top of the sheets already had a nice finished hem, even if it was frayed. I planned to make this the bottom of the pants.
Making Pajama Pants from Old Sheets
Step 1. Use a pair of pants you already have as a template. Fold the pants at the back seam (see above), then fold the sheet over enough to cover the pants. Line the back seam of the pants along the fold and the bottom of the pants even with the top hem.
Step 2. Trace around the pants with a pencil, giving yourself a little extra space (about 1 inch)
Step 3. Cut out the pant along the pencil line. Do not cut the fold. Step 4. Then fold the sheet over and repeat.
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Step 5. You will now have two pants, a front and a back. Pin them together with the right sides facing.
Step 6. Sew the inside seams and the outer seams, leaving a 1.5-inch opening at the top of one of the outside seams for the elastic. Clip the curve around the crotch area.
Creating the Waistband
Step 7. Fold down 1/4 inch of the fabric from the top and press with an iron. Then fold down an inch and press. (see above) Then sew along the bottom edge.
Step 8. Cut the elastic to fit your waist. Attach a safety pin at one end of the cut elastic.
Step 9. Slide the elastic through the opening using the safety pin as a guide.
Step 10. Once you have the elastic through the waistband, pull both ends and sew them together several times (back and forth) to make sure it's secure.
Step 11. Then sew the opening closed by hand with a few whip stitches.
It's a very simplified idea that anyone who can sew a basic straight stitch can make. The super soft worn cotton from the old sheets makes for very comfortable lounge pants, and they are nice to sleep in too.
DIY Pajama Pants with Recycled Old Linens
Equipment
- Sewing Machine
- Scissors
- pencil
Materials
- An old top sheet
- Coordinating thread
- 1 yard 1/2 inch elastic
- Small safety pin
- Pair of elastic pants
Instructions
- Fold the sheet over with right sides together and the large hem at the bottom.
- Fold the pants in half at the back seam and lay the seam on the fold of the sheet, and the bottom aligned with the sheet hem.
- Use a pencil to outline the pants, about 1 inch away from the edge of the pants.
- Cut out the pants from the pencil tracing.
- Fold the sheet over again with right sides together and use the first pant panel cut-out to cut a second panel. The two cutouts will act as the front and back of the pajama pants.
- Pin the two cut-out pants together with the right sides facing.
- Sew a 1/2 inch straight seam along the outer sides and the inner sides of the legs.
- Clip the curve along the crotch seam area.
- Fold 1/4 inch of the top of the waist and press.
- Then fold 1 inch of the top and press again to create a waistband.
- Sew the waistband down at the bottom edge.
- Cut the elastic to fit your waist.
- Pin one end of the elastic with a safety pin and use the pin to guide the elastic through the waistband.
Dixie
What a great idea!! Time to clean out the cabinets! Thanks for your creative ideas!!
Patti Estep
Good to hear Dixie. I'm glad you like it.
Barb
Very good idea for up cycling love it
Patti Estep
Thanks Barb. Glad you like it.