Pyjama Trousers

 Learn to use a sewing machine, cut out and stitch like a pro and make a pair of pyjamas or pyjama shorts to take away!  Make a pair for yourself or choose from children's and men's pyjama patterns. 
This is a fun project, ideal for beginners to dressmaking, where you can master a range of techniques. If you have never used a sewing machine before we recommend booking 2 classes to learn to sew and make a bag or cushion. You may be able to start these pj's part way through the second class depending on which bag or cushion you do, your speed, size of class etc etc
 
Create this project in our weekly Sewing and Dressmaking classes, or in our One-to-One lessons at a time that suits you!

Pyjama Shorts sewing project - Sew In Brighton  pyjama trouser folded
 
 

Level: Improver and above. Ideal first garment making project

Classes Needed: 2-3 Stitch Classes or 4-5 hours of 1-2-1 Lessons. This project can also be completed on our Ultimate Absolute Beginners Sewing Day workshop

Sewing Machines: We will be providing Janome 525S sewing machines and feet to go with them. We will give you information about where to buy feet for your machine at home  

Project content:

  • Learn to set up, thread up and sew seams and edges with a sewing machine (our or yours)
  • Learn how to choose the right pattern size for your body measurements
  • Laying/cutting out of pattern and fabrics
  • Top stitching, hemming and inserting elastic
  • Sew up a lovely pair of PJ's to take away
  • Take home your pattern and download the sewing instructions to make more at home

What to bring: 

Pre-wash your fabric: All fabric needs washing and ironing before class, as fabric shrinks up to 10% on first wash and you want this to happen before you make the garment. These fabrics don't need pre-washing: 100% polyester or PU/PVC/Olicloth or you plan to only dry clean the finished garmrnt. Check fabric content and any washing/ironing temperatures and instructions when purchasing fabric. Iron on the reverse of the fabric to avoid flattening fibres and making the good side shiny

 Fabric for full length PJ pants:
Buy soft medium weight breathable fabric.
100% cotton is easiest to sew with, fleece is ok but a little more challenging for beginners. Viscose/Rayon based fabric, satins, chiffons etc flow and drape well but is much harder to cut out and sew with. Definitely not for beginners. There is a a trick though if you REALLY want drapey flowy fabric: pre-soak it in gelatin to stiffen. It is then easier to work with while cutting and sewing. Info on gelatining fabric below**

  • Fabric length to bring for childrens pants
    • 2.3m (230cm) of 115cm wide  OR
    • 1.4m (140cm) of 160cm wide 
  • Fabric length to bring for Adult pants
    • 2.6m (250cm) of 115-160cm 
    • n.b. this is for an inside leg up to 75cm - if you are longer in the leg than this, add an extra 15cm fabric for each 5cm extra length you have in the leg over 75cm! e.g. if your inside leg is 85cm, you need to buy 30cm extra fabric
Fabric length to bring for PJ shorts:
  • 1.2m of non stretch cotton fabric, any width (you can bring stretch fabric but it is trickier to sew!)

Where to buy fabric near Brighton and Hove online - read our Sussex  Fabric Shop guide and dierctory here

Bring for either project:

  • Elastic for waistband 1m length, 2-2.5cm wide (black if using dark fabric, white if using light fabric)
  • Good quality sewing thread (eg Coats, Moon, Gutermann) x 1 reel matching your fabric
  • £1.50 to pay for pattern paper - you'll trace off a pattern to keep
  • Bring some PJs you have that fit you (or that you want to be different is also ok as we can use as a guide to make the pair you create bigger or smaller).
  • Your glasses, if you need them for close up work.
  • Optional ribbon/cord to feed through buttonholes: 1m length of 1-2cm wide velvet or satin ribbon or cord that matches or contrasts with your fabric.You do not have to add buttonholes to your pj's, you can opt to just have the elastic and plan band at front 

We provide:
Sewing Machine (or bring your own machine), scissors, pins, pattern paper, chalk, tape measure etc

Book Stitch! Sewing and Clothes Making Group Sessions here

Book 1-2-1 Private Lessons here 


** find out more about stiffening fabrics with gelatin here (yes you wash the garment after and all the gelatine washes out!). You would still need to machine wash the fabric first to shrink. Then do the gelatine process

Any questions? Contact us here

 

Viscose based fabric, satins, chiffons etc flows and drapes more but is much harder to cut out and sew with unless you pre-soak in gelatin** to stiffen. Means it is then easier to work with while cutting and sewing. You would still need to machine wash first to shrink.