Unisex Pajama Pattern And Tutorial: Part One

unisex pajama pattern

This Unisex Pajama Pattern is part of a new storyboard that I will be sharing with you called “Feelings”.  It's made up of clothes that either match or improve your state-of-mind.  With this pajama pattern, we will be focusing on comfort and warmth.

This is Part 1 of the pajamas in which we make the pajama top.  There will be a subsequent Part 2 where we will make the pajama bottoms to match.

unisex pajama pattern

I decided on this design because it seems like it's cold everywhere (even in Singapore if you can believe it).  It'll be 23 °C (73.4°F) tonight, so I will be leaving the windows and doors wide open 🙂 .  Everyone, including my daughter, seems to be getting the flu too, so why not make things more comfortable with a new pair of PJs?

The key to this pattern is the fabric you choose to use.  Use silk for a luxurious feeling, flannel for winter comfort, or cotton for a Sunday morning breakfast.  I've provided examples of each of these in the fabric recommendations below.

unisex pajama pattern

Another important detail will be the piping on this unisex pajama pattern.  Therefore, I would push this project up to the Intermediate Level of difficulty.  If you are a beginner sewist and still want to make these pajamas, avoid working with the piping and make sure you own a serger.  You may want to wait for the video to come out to help complete this project.  But, by all means, go ahead and push yourself if you want a challenge.  I would never discourage anyone from trying and pushing out of your comfort zone.

unisex pajama pattern

More than a year ago I wrote a tutorial on how to apply piping to a collar the super easy way but I never shared the cape coat pattern with you that was part of the tutorial.  If capes are your thing, do let me know in the comments below and I'll get it ready to release.

adding piping

Read More HERE

The fabric I have used a plaid 100% cotton flannel.  I washed and dried the fabric in the dryer before I started, both to remove some of the fuzz and to shrink the fabric.  I bought 4 1/2 meters because I am planning to make both top and bottom for my son.

unisex pajama pattern

The pattern has no seam allowance so be sure to add the seam allowance according to your level of expertize.  Beginners, please add 3/4 to  5/8″ (1.5cm), Intermediate to Advanced add 1/4″ to 3/8″ (1cm).

unisex pajama pattern

Materials:

  • 2 1/4 yards to 3 yards of crepe de chine, cotton batiste or cotton flannel
  • Piping
  • Thread to match
  • 4 cover buttons or normal buttons of 18mm diameter
  • 1 yard of thin fusible interfacing

Tools:

Fabric Recommendations

Pattern Download

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Download the Pattern

The FREE sewing pattern along with detailed PDF instructions are available on Payhip.

You can download it FREE there or contribute a small price to keep us going.  Your choice.

 

Pattern Layout

unisex pajama pattern

Unisex Pajama Pattern Finished Measurements

  S M L XL 2XL
Chest 43 45 46.5 48 50
Length 30 30.5 31 31.5 32
Sleeve 23 23 23 23 24

Choose your size according to your preference for the amount of ease you want to be able to sleep comfortably.  Add a 1-inch hem allowance to the sleeves and front and back pieces.

How To Sew Your Pajamas

The first thing you need to do is to apply fusible interfacing to these places; one of the collar pieces, the front facings, and two of the four pocket sides. (This bit is optional since these pajamas don't have to have pockets).

Piping is optional in this project. However, piping offers a touch of elegance found in more expensive garments.  The following sewing technique is similar to a factory way of sewing.

Apply Piping To The Collar, Pocket And Front Pieces

There is no easy way to apply piping to a corner, however, I will show you what I think it the best way.  When applying piping to a corner, the corner will have to be left a bit rounded.  The key is to make the corner as small as possible.

Use a ruler to find the pivot point between the seam allowances.  In my case is 3/8″.

Mark the corner of the collar. Pin the edge of the tape on top of the collar.

Sew until the corner, leave the needle down and pivot the corner.  Cut a slit in the piping tape but not on the fabric of the collar.  Repeat on the other corner of the collar.   

unisex pajama pattern

Sewing The Pockets

We will need to use the same technique to apply the piping to the pocket.  Apply the piping the same way as above with only one change to the curves of the pockets as is shown below.

Slash the tape of the piping to be able to bend the piping around the corner.

Place the other side of the pockets prints sides together.  Sew from the bottom of the pocket to the corner then the other and down again.  Leave a gap of one inch to turn the pocket around.

Iron. Place the pocket on the front piece. Use your pattern for placement or as you like.  I tried to match the plaid prints so I had to move it a bit towards the sides. 

unisex pajama pattern

Assembling Your Pajamas

Sewing the facing (make sure it has fusible interfacing).

Step One

Serge the curved edge of the front facing and the shoulder.  If you do not have a serger use your zigzag then fold the zigzag edge.

Step Two

Place the front piece print side up.  Place the front facing print side down on top of the front piece.  Sew the front facing to the front of the pajamas.

unisex pajama pattern

Step Three

Start sewing from the hem to the collar ending on the notch. 

*Please note I forgot to serge the facing but I still can do this before I sew the collar down.*

Step Four

Pin the two fronts to the back at the shoulders.

unisex pajama pattern

Sew the shoulder seams and use your serger to neaten the seam allowance. Do not finish sewing the facing yet. Iron.

Step Five

The next step is to assemble the collar so stitch the collar pieces together placing the right sides facing each other.

Sew at 3/8″ or at the seam allowance you have chosen.  Stop at the corner 3/8″  before the edge. Leave the needle down then pivot the collar and continue sewing. 

Trim the seam allowances by half and clip the corners diagonally. Turn the collar print side out and press using a pressing cloth iron. 

Step Six

Attach the collar to the back of the pajamas.  Align the center of the collar with the center of the back piece.  Sew.

unisex pajama pattern

Step Seven

Working on the inside of the pajamas pin the facing along the collar opening and over the collar. Turn the top edge of the facing in about 1/8″.

Step Eight

Sew the facing to the collar opening at your chosen seam allowance. My seam allowance is 3/8″. Serge the collar from the corner of the facing to the other corner of the facing.  This step will neaten the collar seam allowance.  This step will be sewed differently if we did not have a serger. 

Step Nine

Secure the facing to the shoulder seam by topstitching either the seam allowance

unisex pajama pattern

or sewing on the shoulder seam.  This step can also be accomplished by hand sewing the point is to secure the facing to the shoulder seam.

Attaching The Sleeves

Step One

Sew two rows of very large stitches, 1/4″ from the edge.  Gather by pulling the two threads from the bobbin then straighten the second thread from the edge. 

unisex pajama pattern

Step Two

Pin the center of the sleeve to the shoulder seam and sew at 3/8″.  Iron. 

unisex pajama pattern

Step Three

Sew the sleeves starting from the wrist to the armhole and continue sewing the sides of the pajama to the hem.

Step Four

Hem the pajamas at the bottom and the sleeves.  Serge the edge or zigzag and fold 1″ then use a blind hem stitch or just sew 1/8″ from the edge.

Step Five

 Make the buttonholes by using the pattern to mark the position of the buttons.

Step Six

Iron the pajamas using your pressing cloth if you are using satin or silk.

And you're done!  Now you have cosy, elegant pajamas, that are good enough to spend a lazy Sunday wearing them.

See you in Part 2 where we make the matching pajama bottoms. Enjoy!

Got to Part 2: Unisex Pajama Bottom

unisex pajama bottom

Go to Part 2


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tia
tia

this template looks graet im excited to try it

Rita B
Rita B

Would love to see your cape coat pattern with the piping.

MPaula
MPaula

A pajama top with 4 pockets is fantastic! Aside from the fact that manufacturers don’t think women need usable pockets, they don’t seem to realize that pajamas are often worn outside the bed! I usually wear a nightshirt with the length varying according to the season. I do want to make the bottoms, though, so I can wear them (outside the bed) when other people are in my house.

Bethann M
Bethann M

I’m making a mock-up of this pattern before I cut my actual fabric. I have everything else down pat. I’m stuck on one thing. The flaps that we don’t sew going up to the shoulder when we’re making the bodice. What do we do with them? I don’t know if I’m not reading it right but any help would be appreciated.

Julienne Yueh
Julienne Yueh
Reply to  Bethann M

I finally figured it out. Sew just the center of the collar (right side of back piece to back side of collar), from shoulder seam to shoulder seam. Then continue to pin the collar down. with the garment and the facing wrong side out, place the facing on top of the unsewn collar, pulling the facing piping raw edge into the seam allowance, and butting up against the collar piping. Pin the facing down, all the way to the shoulder seam, then stitch. Whew!

Anastassia
Anastassia

Hello! what’s the width of your fabric? do i need 2 yards with around 1 yard width or with 1,6 yard width? (i work in metric so here we have 2 types, 90cm or 150 cm so my conventions are a bit rough) thank you so much for this project, much needed during quarantine <3

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Anastassia

Hi Anastassia, a yard is 36 inches while a meter is 39. One inch is 2.54cm. The best thing to do is to print the pattern and layout out on the floor minding the grainline and the width of the fabric ou are planning to use to see how much you will need. This amount will change depending on the fabric width and the size you are using. As you can see this can vary which is the reason I never put a specific amount but a more rounded figure. Happy Sewing!

Anastassia
Anastassia
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

Thank you very much!

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Anastassia

My Pleasure!

madjid
madjid
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

1meter is 39.37inch accurately. Please.

Ayana
Ayana

I need a size that’s bigger than your largest size. How can I enlarge the 2XL pattern?

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Ayana

Ufff Sadly, impossible for me to explain with many pictures and a long explanation. But I since have begun to add 2XL and 3XL sizes whenever possible. I will have to add the pattern on a different post, stay tuned.

Jeffrey
Jeffrey

I’m looking forward to giving this a try. I noticed that the PJ top pattern does not print the 2×2 square for measurement confirmation unless the xsmall size layer is clicked. I’m a large so I just printed it with both and they are far enough apart that it isn’t a problem for me but that would be something I would have thought was in the layer labeled “print with all sizes” Just a suggestions. Hope it comes out OK, I’m new (and avoiding the piping on this first run. 🙂

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Jeffrey

Thank you for your feedback and taking the time to comment, it helps people know what is going on and makes the instructions better for everyone. It was defiantly human error (mine).

Jillana Bishop
Jillana Bishop

I am so confused and stuck at the point where I’m supposed so sew the collar on, and then the interfacing. I don’t know which sides to attach to which. Can anyone offer guidance?

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Jillana Bishop

can you send me a photo of where you are stuck please mayra@so-sew-easy.com

Carla Tunget
Carla Tunget

Thank you for the pattern, where could I find a size chart to see which size I should make? I know the finished measurements are on the pattern but I would like to know before hand.
thanks

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Carla Tunget

This is a unisex ( a size between man and woman) runs large, use the sizes provided as a guide. If you are small use small.

Géraldine
Géraldine

Hello
I tried and tried again to download the pattern, but no way. It’s a shame because it’s my favourite pyjama’s shape.

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Géraldine

Not sure what is the problem, this is a popular pattern with over 1200 downloads. Are you using a window blocker?