Pyjamas are one of my favourite things to sew and they’re a great beginner project or rut-buster. They’re also a handy way to showcase the novelty print fabrics I can’t seem to stop myself from buying, even though I rarely wear them these days!

My homemade pyjama love affair started with a pair of Margot pyjama trousers from Love at First Stitch. I used an old duvet and they were super soft and comfy but I don’t seem to have photographic evidence of them. I can't imagine sewing something now and not talking a photo - how times change!

I think I dived straight from those to the Fifi pyjamas in Spring 2017, which included bias-cut panels, homemade binding and French seams! Ambitious, much?

The fabric was an ASDA duvet cover - bit scratchy!

They were cute but too small to be comfortable to sleep in, and I donated them to a friend. I switched out the cami for a loose boxy top (pattern from Prima magazine) on my next pair which felt much more “me”. The fabric was a gift from my sister and I don't still have them but I'd guess it was a viscose twill, and probably from her local fabric market in Southall.

As much as I love the look of a classic button up pyjama, I find jersey much more comfortable to sleep in. My first pair of stretch pyjamas were my sushijamas, which you can read about here. 

Frankie tee and Stella joggers, from Tilly and the Buttons Stretch
Fabric from Like Sew Amazing, no longer available

After the revelation of jersey PJs, I wanted a summer version and my princess kittyjamas soon followed. You can read all about them here.

Hey June Handmade Union St Tee
Peppermint Magazine Spring Shorts (free pattern)
Fabric from Like Sew Amazing

I needed a vest top to wear to Elisalex's Bodice Fitting Masterclass and didn’t own any, so I whipped up this Ogden cami from a Liberty scrap donated to me by a friend. It’s not a style I would ordinarily wear so this got relegated to pyjamas too.

Contains Cat Hair labels available here

I originally made these CocoWawa Cherry culotte shorts as outerwear but the fabric made them look a bit like men's boxer shorts! The fabric was an ex-Liberty print from Sew Me Sunshine so I deemed this the perfect mis-match:

I won a voucher for Stone Mountain Fabrics in an Instagram giveaway and couldn't resist this ghost jersey. I don't really wear pale colours as they wash me out, so I figured I needed Halloween boojamas! I used the same patterns as my sushijamas although I made a particularly poor job of that neckband and might have to re-do it.

Frankie tee and Stella joggers, from Tilly and the Buttons Stretch
Fabric from Stone Mountain Fabrics, no longer available

I used Paige Joanna’s adorable party ring print (available from Spoonflower) for my latest pair, and they might be my favourite yet! I used the same patterns and adjustments as I did for my kittyjamas. I’m pretty sure that’s the best neckband I’ve ever sewn too.

Hey June Handmade Union St Tee
Peppermint Magazine Spring Shorts (free pattern)
Party ring fabric from Spoonflower
Pink cotton jersey from Escape and Create

I've lost all patience for pattern matching recently and have mostly been sticking to plain, abstract and ditsy prints, but I'm pleased I made the effort on that crotch seam:

I only bought a metre of the Spoonflower jersey (because ££) so I made it go further by combining it with a plain cerise cotton jersey from Escape and Create. I used it for the sleeves and neckband of the top, and the back, pocket bags and waistband of the shorts.

Contains Cat Hair labels available here
Happiness is Handmade label by Paige Joanna

Thank you for taking this walk down pyjama memory lane with me! With the exception of the Fifi pyjamas, none of these were made with pyjama-specific patterns - I love thinking outside the box and making the most of the patterns in my stash. I think the Fabrics Store Paola pattern would make a great pyjama top, and could be combined with the CocoWawa Cherry culotte shorts for maximum boxy comfort!

You can read about how I hacked this FREE jacket pattern into a boxy shirt pattern here.

If you're looking for woven pyjama patterns, these are my top indie picks:

CocoWawa Coconut PJs / Alice & Co Whitechapel PJs / Closet Case Carolyn PJs

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