MEMBERS ONLY: To gain full access to the Half Yard Club projects please login or sign up

Debbie Shore's Dressmaking Studio: Ladies PJs

Quick Links: What you'll need Project steps

These PJs are great for beginners because of their simple style and easy fit, and by making them you’ll find out just how easy it is to work with jersey fabric.

About the project

Designed in a classic style with a subtle drop shoulder and a loose, relaxed fit and with high-waisted, full-length trousers, this pyjama set is a pattern you’ll want to make multiple times.

Suggested fabrics

This pattern is designed for light- to medium-weight knit fabrics with at least 20% horizontal stretch. Cotton or viscose jersey and cotton/spandex blends are a good choice, and they are really comfortable to wear. You could also use something slinky, such as bamboo jersey, which will hug the body more closely and has a silk-like feel. French terry (warmer for winter) and rib knits will also work for this. We recommend something with a subtle drape and nothing too heavy.

Wearable toile

Different fabrics will produce different results, so it’s always a good idea to make a sample or toile in an inexpensive fabric that’s as close as possible to your final choice. This helps you understand the fit and how the garment will sit on the body, and it also allows you to make any necessary adjustments before sewing your final version. Choose a fabric you like so you can wear it once you’ve made it. This is known as a wearable toile.

Stitch choice

Don’t use straight stitch on your seams as the stitching is likely to break when the fabric stretches. Instead use one of the following:

• Overlock: if you have an overlocker, use this to stitch your seams as it is quick, efficient and will allow the seams to stretch.
• Lightning stitch: if your machine has a stretch stitch, such as lightning stitch, you can use that; test it out first on scrap fabric in case you need to adjust it.
• Zigzag stitch: zigzag stitch works wonderfully on stretchy fabric as it allows the seams to stretch; set it to your usual stitch length but narrow it to about 2mm.

Make it your own!

• Make the top and trousers from different fabrics.
• If using two fabrics, choose the same fabric for the sleeves of the top as for the trousers.
• Cut the sleeves and trousers to a shorter length for a summer set.
• Use the pattern for the top to make a T-shirt for daywear, perhaps lengthening or shortening it to give it a new look.

Sizing

This pattern is designed for someone approx. 5ft 7in (170cm) tall. If you are much taller or shorter than this, once you have printed out the pattern, you may need to adjust the length of the top and/or trousers. See Lengthening and Shortening Patterns for help with this.

Always choose the pattern size according to your measurements rather than simply opting for your usual dress size as different companies use different body sizing for their patterns.

By the end of this project, you’ll have:

• Made a simple yet stylish pair of pyjamas.
• Gained confidence sewing with jersey fabric.
• Learnt how to fit a neckband to a stretchy top.
• Got a pattern for a simple top and trousers that you can use multiple times.

Don’t forget to check out the pyjamas that other members have made for inspiration (see right) and, if you have any questions about making this pattern, remember to refer to the forum. You can also chat to other members via the Half Yard Sewing Club Facebook page!

Note: use a ⅜in (1cm) seam allowance unless otherwise stated.

Want to make more?

There’s a regular dressmaking project here at the Half Yard Club so there are a growing number of mostly easy patterns for you to choose from.

• If you’d like to add another layer to your PJs for winter, the Reversible Kimono-Style Jacket is ideal.
• For other stretchy projects, try the Batwing Dress, the Stretch Knit Pencil Skirt or the DIY Sweater Skirt.
• You may also like the No-Pattern Floaty Poncho.

The Templates

Size charts are included on the template pages. There are six options to choose from:

• Click here to download the A0 pdf pattern for sizes 4–18 (B cup)
• Click here to download the A0 pdf pattern for sizes 16–32 (D cup)
• Click here to download the A4 size pdf pattern for sizes 4–18 (B cup)
• Click here to download the A4 size pdf pattern for sizes 16–32 (D cup)
• Click here to download the US Letter size pdf pattern for sizes 4–18 (B cup)
• Click here to download the US Letter size pdf pattern for sizes 16–32 (D cup)

MEMBERS ONLY: To gain full access to the Half Yard Club projects please login or sign up

You will need:

Equipment

• Sewing machine with a needle suitable for your fabric – a ballpoint or stretch-knit needle is recommended
• Printer paper, scissors and tape if printing the pattern at home
• Fabric shears
• Safety pin or bodkin for threading your elastic through the channel at the waist
• Optional: erasable fabric marker or tailor’s chalk
• Optional: spray starch or Best Press if you find the edges of your pieces are curling over too much
• Optional: water-soluble tape such as Prym Wonder Tape, which you can use to stick your hems in place to stabilize them before stitching

Materials

• 59in (150cm) wide fabric: 3.1yd (2.8m) for sizes 4–12, 3.5yd (3.2m for sizes 14–18, 4.2yd (3.8m) for sizes 16–22 or 5.3yd (4.8m) for sizes 24–32 OR for 54in (137cm) wide fabric: 3.9yd (3.5m) for sizes 4–12, 4.1yd (3.7m) for sizes 14–18, 5.1yd (4.6m) for sizes 16–22 or 5.5yd (5m) for sizes 24–32 
• 1½in (3.8mm) wide elastic – see step 13 for the amount

MEMBERS ONLY: To gain full access to the Half Yard Club projects please login or sign up