Pajama Shorts for Beginners: Free Sewing Pattern Tutorial!

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Here’s how to create your very own pajama shorts in any size and any length!

These DIY shorts are made with an elastic waistband for maximum comfort.

I used a couple of thrift store sheets to make these! Vintage sheets are a great way to make a bunch of cute shorts for super cheap!

You can also use some cotton flannel to make these some super comfy shorts!

Check out my step-by-step instructions below.

You can also watch me make these shorts in my YouTube video.

Quick helpful tips/notes about this project:

Use a 3/8″ seam allowance throughout.
Use 3/4″ width elastic. (I bought mine in bulk for cheap here)
Measure your waist. Cut your elastic 1″ shorter than your waist measurement.
I love to use my big roll of tracing paper for projects like this.
Use a safety pin to push your elastic through the waistband.
Add an additional 2″ to the top of your shorts and an extra 1″ to the bottom of your shorts when creating your template, using a straight, right angle (square) edge.

Trace Some Existing Shorts

First, you’ll want to create a pattern for your shorts. This is VERY EASY to do.

Just grab an existing pair of shorts in the size you want, fold them in half, and trace around your shorts. It’s helpful to trace against a ruler to get a straight edge.

Add an extra 1/2″ of space around the sides of your shorts.

When tracing your shorts, you’ll be tracing a straight edge on one side, and two diagonal lines on the other side.

For the top and bottom of the shorts, you will want to trace a straight, “square” part, giving your pattern a little extra length and height.

Add a square (rectangular) 2″ of extra space at the top of your shorts. This is for your waistband.

Add a square (rectangular) 1″ of extra space at the bottom of your shorts. This is so you can hem the legs of your pants.

To see this visually, look at my picture below!

Cut your fabric

Cut out your pattern pieces. The long, straight edge on your pattern piece is to be cut on the “fold” of your fabric.

Cut two pattern pieces on the fold.

Keep your edges from fraying

Sew a zig zag stitch around the edge of your pattern pieces.

This will help keep the edges from fraying.

Sew around the “hips”

Next, with right sides together, sew both sides from the top/waistband of the shorts, down to the “point” of the angle. (see picture)

Sew the legs/crotch

Then, shift the fabric so the seams are lined up. This will make your shorts resemble the shape of shorts.

Sew the inside of the legs of the shorts. (again, see picture above)

Creating the waistband

To add an elastic waistband to your shorts, fold the top of your waistband down about 1 1/4″.

Use 3/4″ elastic!

You can use your elastic as a guide — you just want to make sure you’ll be able to pull your elastic through your waistband.

Sew the waistband down into place, leaving a small opening just enough to allow your elastic to be placed inside.

This is the part of the project where you’ll be able to see WHY you needed a straight, squared off edge and the top and bottom of these shorts.

If you didn’t make a straight edge, your shorts won’t line up while making the elastic waist band/hemming them.

Pull your elastic through the waistband of your shorts, It’s helpful to use a safety pin at the end of your elastic to pull your elastic through.

I also like to use a second safety pin to hold the other end of my elastic into place, pinning it directly to my fabric, so that it doesn’t get lost inside the waistband.

Sew your ends of elastic together so that they make a “circle,” then sew the waistband opening closed.