Learn How to Sew Christmas Pajamas for the Entire Family Using Free PDF Sewing Patterns
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is buying family pajamas each year! This year instead of buying pj's, I teamed up with Fabric.com to SEW them for my whole family!
Fabric.com is my one-stop shop for all my fabric needs! They carry a wide variety of fabrics, trims, patterns and notions. While I was searching Fabric.com I came across this adorable Holiday Fairisle Deer print and I knew this would be perfect for Pajamas for my entire family!
Today I'll be sharing all about our handmade pants as well as my favorite tips for sewing with knit fabric. Check back on Wednesday to get all of the details on our shirts!
If you like this tutorial you might also enjoy this Christmas Photobooth Props & Shirts tutorial.
The Fairisle print I used is a cotton/lycra blend with 50% four-way stretch. It's nice and soft and it's the perfect weight for jammies! It sold out quickly, but here are some adorable prints that would work perfectly!
I used this Cotton Lycra Spandex Jersy Knit for the bands on the leggings.
I wanted to create the PJ's using all free pajama patterns, so I set out to find some free PDF patterns that would work for the whole family. If you aren't familiar with PDF patterns, they are patterns that can be downloaded online, printed and then taped together. It makes sewing super convenient and most patterns come with a wide-range of sizes included!
For the PJ's for the kids, I used our Sweet Red Poppy Leggings. I've used this pattern over and over. I've always been so happy with the fit! Since it's a legging pattern, I always size up for my little boy so that they aren't too tight. For the girls, I make their standard size and the fit is always spot on! I added a cuff to this pattern to give it a pop of color.
For my own PJ's I used the Peg Leg Pattern from Patterns For Pirates. One of the things I really like about this pattern is that it includes a thigh measurement so you can get a really accurate fit.
My husband's PJ's were created using my family Pajama Pant Pattern. It's a really quick and easy pattern to sew together. It has a loose fit, an elastic waist, and it can be made using knits or wovens.
I know it can be intimidating to sew with knit fabric so I've rounded up my favorite tips that I've picked up over the years as I've sewn with knit fabric to make the process as smooth as possible.
Tips and Tricks for Sewing with Knit Fabric
Prewash
Before you do anything it's important that you prewash your fabric! Most knits will shrink and if you don't wash them before you sew them, you will end up with a shrunken garment. Do yourself a favor and prewash the fabric immediately after receiving it in the mail so it's ready to go when you feel like sewing! I always prewash my fabric on a delicate cycle and either hang it to dry or air dry it in the dryer. If you are planning on hanging it to dry make sure that the fabric isn't being stretched out as that will distort the fabric.
Cutting
Lay the fabric out on a large table to cut it. Make sure that the excess fabric isn't hanging off the table as that will pull the fabric distorting the shape of it. Most patterns should be cut with the greatest stretch going across the pattern to accommodate for negative ease in a knit pattern.
Pins & Needles
When pinning knit fabric or when sewing it's important to use the right type of needle. Ballpoint pins are great when working with knits because the shape of the point is rounded. The rounded point allows it to move between the knitted fibers instead of piercing the fibers and causing small tears. The same principle applies to ballpoint needles.
Stitch
Most patterns that use knit fabric will have negative ease. This means that the actual measurement of the garment is smaller than the part of the body it will be resting on. In order to allow adequate stretch, a stretch stitch must be used on any part of the fabric that will be under stress during wear. Most sewing machines have a stretch stitch option if not a narrow zigzag or triple stitch are also suitable options.
Hemming
Sewing a hem on a knit fabric can be very tricky! One of my favorite tips for sewing a perfect hem is hem tape. I like to use Thermoweb Soft Stretch Lite. It's a double-sided tape that is heat activated. It gives the fabric more stability without adding any bulk so that it doesn't stretch out or become wavy from hemming. Another great option is to use a twin ballpoint needle to get a professional looking finish.
Pressing
If your fabric becomes stretched out or you end up with a wavy seam turn your iron to high heat, hover the iron above the seam and use plenty of steam to shrink it to its original shape.
I hope you've enjoyed these knit fabric tips and that you try sewing your own Christmas PJ's this year!
Be sure to check out these other Christmas Projects & Tutorials!
Kim, you amaze me daily. You are doing such a great job with all your work. These pajamas are adorable and your family too! I wish you much success as the New Year quickly approaches!
You are so sweet, Cassy! Thanks so much! It’s been a busy few months but also so much fun!
Thank you for all your hard work. I will be back later to have a proper browse through. Work is calling but there is so many things to see.....after work.
Thanks
Veronica
Hi what fabric is safe for kid pajamas , flame retardent?
Hi Kim,
I appreciate you sharing these patterns, but my question is where can you find the pattern for the tops or what pattern did you use for the tops? I have scoured the internet and cannot find any patterns that are long sleeved for adults. I want to make pajamas for my ENTIRE family for Christmas, which includes my mom, dad, brothers, sister in laws, adult nieces and my boys. I can find a million different patterns for bottoms, but nothing for tops. Can you help? Thank you!