One day this week, I made each of the kids 2 pairs of pajama pants. Last year’s patterns were about ready to go. I had to make these changes to each pattern: lower the crotch point 1/2″; add 2″ of length; add 1/2″ of width at the side seam (for a total of 2″ increase in width on the total pattern). All the kids grew since last year!
I used cotton flannel sheets from the thrift store. We used a light blue, a darker blue and a tan (tan shown). I got 2 or 3 pairs of pj pants out of each sheet. Because the sheets cost about $2 or $3 each, this project cost me no more than $9 (and there’s still some sheet fabric left). That is for 6 pairs of pj pants.
What I love to do is save time and use what the sheet’s already got — a hem. So when cutting out the pattern pieces, I line up the hemline on the pattern (not the bottom edge) with the sheet’s hem. Hem done — thank you industrial seamstress, you just saved me some work (and did it very nicely, I might add)!
Ever since I got a serger, elastic waistbands have been a snap. No casings! Here are a couple of online insructions to help you if you’ve never done it before. My method is very close to the serger method linked here: easy serger elastic waistband and easy sewing machine elastic waistband .
I can’t find the sheets at our thrift store. However, after pricing flannel by the yard and new sheets, I will be buying a couple of new flannel top sheets. However, I am betting that after Christmas I can get some fairly cheap when they clear out the holiday flannel sheets.