Free Women’s Pajama Pants Pattern (+ download PDF)
Hello peeps. Today, I’m proud to announce my first PDF pattern – pajama pants for women. And it’s free! If you’re new to this blog, simply subscribe below and you’ll get the PDF pattern and instructions in my Welcome email.
When you subscribe to my blog, you will get 2 emails. In the first email, you’ll confirm the subscription by clicking on the subscribe box. You’ll be directed to a page asking you to verify that you’re a human and not a malicious bot. Then, you’ll get a welcome email with download links for the pattern and instructions. If you don’t get the welcome email after confirming the first email, please double check your spam folder.
Now on to the pattern . . .
For the longest time, I’ve been on the hunt for a free PJ pants pattern because I’m cheap and hate spending money. There are many generous sewists who have designed unisex pajama pants patterns and offer it for free. Their patterns are designed to be loose and baggy to accommodate all genders and sizes.
As comfy as these patterns are, I wanted something that’s flattering to a women’s body and similar to lounge pants I’d find at a retail store. After scouring the interweb for months without success, I said to myself, “Someone should really make a free pajama pants pattern just for women.” So I did it, and here it is.
Here are some features I’d like to highlight in this pattern.
The tapered leg
I drove my pattern maker crazy trying to get the tapered leg just right. This was the first step in designing lounge pants that weren’t baggy. Drawing a straight line from the crotch to the hem wasn’t going to cut it. If you take a good look at the pattern, you’ll see the inside leg seams curve inwards at the thigh and gently drop to the hem. It took us 5 tries to get a perfect curve that got rid of excess bagginess while still providing comfortable ease.
A flattering rise
To elongate the front torso and allow for full coverage in the back, I made the back rise higher than the front. In the first version, I made them even, and they had the look and feel of mom jeans. Not a good look. This difference in rise is much more fashion-forward.
Check out your ready to wear pants, and you’ll see a similar difference.
Easy to sew with just one pattern piece
Looking for an instant gratification project? With just one pattern piece, these pants sew up fast because there’s less cutting and sewing. The pattern is basically half a front and half a back combined together. New to sewing? This is a great pattern for the beginner sewer.
Retail sizing XS – XXL
I find the sizing on most sewing patterns perplexing. What can’t they copy the retail sizing I’m used to?
This is the size chart I used to design the pajama pants based on samples from a variety of big box stores. Yes, I actually went to a bunch of stores to get measurements. Many sales ladies looked at me funny because they couldn’ figure out what the heck I was doing with all those pants.
Here are the finished garment measurements.
Double-check the size chart against your measurements. Rule of thumb – if you’re used to buying a certain size at a big box store, our corresponding size should be very close.
One pdf for letter and A4 printing
My pattern maker is one smart lady – she designed the pdf to work for both letter and A4 printing. The PDF pattern only takes 22 pages to print.
Designed for comfort
Fit and comfort go hand in hand with these pajama pants. The elastic waistband provides ultimate comfort for a lazy weekend at home binge-watching Netflix. There are no drawstrings to get in your way.
Fun with fabrics
After sewing a million samples in different fabrics, I found that light to medium weight woven fabrics work best. Quilting and novelty fabrics are good examples of lightweight fabric. This pattern also sews up beautifully in flannel. I would avoid fabrics thicker than flannel because they don’t drape well and bulk up at the waist.
I found this project to be the perfect excuse to buy novelty fabrics at the fabric store. As much as I love the colors and thematic patterns of novelty fabrics, I never bought them as I couldn’t see myself wearing them at work. But in the comfort of my own home, I can get wild and crazy with fabric.
Final thoughts
I hope you enjoy this free pajama pants pattern. If you make a pair, would you consider buying me a coffee? I hired a professional pattern maker for these pants to guarantee a perfect fit. Also, I’d love to offer more free patterns (I have a TON of ideas I want to put out there, like a matching top for these bottoms). I made this pattern free because I want to give back to the sewing community. I find so much joy and inspiration from the makes you share.
Can’t wait to try your pattern
Please share pictures when you’re done with them! I’d love to see them.
Thank you for sharing
I have wanted a good PJ pant pattern, thanks.
You’re welcome. Enjoy!
Thank you
Thanks for sharing!
I woul really like to make this pajama pants.
Hi Elise. You’ll get the pattern when you subscribe to my blog. On the right side of the page, you’ll see a subscribe module. Enter your email address. Then you’ll get a confirmation email. After you confirm your subscription, you’ll get a Welcome Email with the pattern attached.
Dear Melissa, thank you so much for this pattern. Super easy, ready in 2 hours. Everything match perfect, perfect shape! I’m so happy that after years of searching I finally have a pattern for a comfortable pajama. I also made one from linen which is perfect for the summer! Thank you once again!
I’m so glad to hear you love the pants. Linen is perfect for summer. Maybe I should make a pair in linen.
This would make a great gift. I can’t wait to try it.
It’s a really popular gift to make for Christmas, especially with fun fabrics.
I have been looking for a pattern like this and am looking forward to giving it a try. Thank you for your time and efforts in making it available to us.
This pattern sounds great! Thank you so much for making it a freebie. I can’t wait to try it. 🙂
Can’t wait to get started
I will definitely try your pattern.
Thank you for sharing your hard work, patterns are so expensive, as well the material it’s not a have to learn skill any
more
Hi Janet. This pattern will be email to you when you subscribe to the blog (sign up in the right hand navigation).
Love that you slimmed the legs down. Looking forward to trying your pattern.
Love that you slimmed down the leg width. Can’t wait to make these for my grandaughter and myself.
thanks for the pattern
Thank you so much for the pattern, that is very generous. Just what I was looking for, can’t wait to make several pairs in colourful fabric! However, I prefer a warmer fabric in the colder months. You say to avoid thick fabric. I wouldn’t be using sweat but do you think a flannel would work? Best wishes, Maike
Hi Maike. This pattern is perfect for flannel. I’ve made several pairs in flannel, and it’s my favorite thing to wear in the winter.
Excellent pattern!
Thank you!
Thank you so much for making a free slimline pj pants pattern for women 🙂
I’ve been looking for one for ages & it’s starting to get colder here.
A question though: I am in lockdown in South Africa & can’t buy fabric – Do u think it might be doable to make these in a light weight knit? If so, do u think I would need to make any adjustments, or chose a smaller size than indicated on your chart?
Hi Shanleigh. I’ve never made this in a knit, but your suggestion to size down makes total sense to me. I might try this myself. Let me know if this works out for you.
I made a knit pair sized down and it worked very well!
I’m so glad it worked out for you. Thanks for sharing.
Well appreciated for providing us a great pattern. Thank you
Hi, I love this idea but I cant seem to find the PDF download on the page? Help please?
Thanks
Hi Kate. To get the pattern, you’ll have to subscribe to the blog. On the right-hand nav, you’ll see the subscribe module. Once you confirm your subscription, you’ll get the pattern attached to the Welcome email.
Hello!
I just made myself a pair of pants in size M. Perfect fit and the best pattern I’ve found so far!!:-)
Just wondering, finished garment for size M is about 4-5 inches bigger than body measurement which is perfect fit for me. However, size S and XS is about 7-6 inches bigger than body measurement. Does it not get too baggy, or how does it add up? 🙂
Thank you! Can’t wait to make more
Kind regards
P.S. What size are you wearing in the pictures? 🙂 Thanks again
I’m wearing XS.
Hi Liv. Glad to hear that size M works for you. Regarding your comment about size S and XS – it sounds like it’s bigger than size M? That’s really odd since it should be smaller than size M. Could you be looking at L or XL?????
Thanks for the quick response!
I mean the body measurement for size M says 39-40inches and finish garment is 44inch (4-5 inches difference). However, body measurement for XS is 35-36inches and finished garment is 42inch (6-7 inch difference) I’m not sure how to explain it correctly. Seems like the finished garment for XS is bigger than M compared to body measurement. Hope that makes more sense. Perhaps I am misunderstanding
Ah, I understand now. I copied these measurements from a set of pajama pants from Target. Basically, I bought every size of a pair of pants I liked and then gave the body and finished measurements to my pattern maker. It looks like the smaller size has much more ease, but it seems to work. I’m in that weird in-between size of XS and S, and XS fits me just right.
How do I get a pattern
Hi Liv. To get the pattern, all you have to do is subscribe to the blog. If you’re on a desktop/laptop, you’ll see the subscribe box on the right-hand side of the page. If you’re on mobile, scroll down to the bottom of the page for the subscribe box. Enter your email address. After you confirm your subscription (you’ll get a confirmation email soon after subscribing), you’ll get a welcome email with the pattern and instructions attached.
Thanks
I love your pajamas and would be really excited to make the same one. It is not difficult at all and no experience in sewing is required.
Thank you for creating this pattern! Anxious to try it out. Did you make your top? I’d love that pattern – it’s so cute!
Hi Marcia. The top was a gift from my mother-in-law. I was thinking about making a top just like it, and a few weeks later, it was gifted to me!
How nice! It’s really cute. Thank you!
Thanks so much for the free pattern. I made a pair using linen and actually find it respectable enough for work! Call me a slop. A question for you please, can I split the pattern piece in middle and sew in an inseam pockets? Or do I need further adjustment to the pattern?
Hi Eveline. Glad to hear you are enjoying the pattern. I love the idea of adding an inseam pocket. I never tried it before, but it makes sense to split it down the middle. Make sure to add a seam allowance to both pattern pieces. Let me know how it works out.
Thanks. I will give it a go and let you know how I get on.
Hi,
I really want to try the pants pattern but I’m on the short side and was wondering, how can I alter it to make myself a finished length of 39″ ?
Take a look at the pattern, and you’ll see 2 adjustment lines to shorten or lengthen the pattern. I’m on the short side too (I’m 5’3″), and I shorten the pattern by 1″ at both lines. You’ll have to blend the cut line into a smooth line. It’s an easy adjustment but makes a big difference.
Teaching my granddaughter and her friend how to sew. This pattern is the best pattern for teaching and wearing. Sew easy…sew nice to wear. Thank you for sharing with all of us.
My dream for this pattern is that would be the very first pattern a novice would sew. It would be so easy to sew and so fun to wear that it would spark a life-long love of sewing. Thank you for making my dream come true.
I have just made 2 pairs and they are so comfy!! I used the measurements as large for the legs and medium for the waist (I am always between sizes) and I couldn’t be happier. Cozy for winter now!
I’m so happy to hear the pattern worked out for you.
Hi. Do you think the pattern could be shortened and made into pajama shorts or would they need to be made more narrow in the thigh?
You can absolutely make them into shorts. I don’t think narrowing in the thigh is necessary. Make sure to mirror the hem, and you should be fine.
Thank you SO much for this pattern. I have also been looking for MONTHS for a suitable pyjama pants pattern – I look very much forward to trying it myself
I’m curious about cotton flannel, you had mentioned that thicker fabrics bunch?
This pattern sews up beautifully in flannel.
These pants sew up beautifully in flannel. I would avoid thick fabrics like fleece or sweater knits.
Bonjour, merci ce patron a l’air top 😀 je suis tombée par hasard sur votre blog via pinterest et je suis de Belgique 😉
Merci!
Can’t wait to try out your pattern
Thanks for the pajama bottoms pattern.
I would like to know what to print to make these short pajamas. I have trouble with my left leg so I only use short pajamas.
Thank you
Sue Primm
Hi Sue. I’m not sure how short you’d like to make them. Maybe try printing the first 18 pages, tape them together, and check to see if the length is to your liking. Make sure to mirror the hem (see original hem as a reference).
HI Melissa, thanks so much for the free pattern, I did try this with poly satin in a size S. There was only one issue I had, was with the waist band as I was doing an elastic casing and the back rise seemed too high which I trimmed off in order to be able to fold it easily. They turned out really well.
If I wanted more ease on the hips and not a very slim fit, any advise on how to grade this pattern?
Thanks so much,
Nylisha
Hi Nylisha. For more ease around the hips, I recommend grading the pattern to a larger size around the hips. Here’s a tutorial on how to grade between sizes: https://www.annamcclurg.com/2020/01/pants-fitting-grading-between-sizes.html
As for a wider leg, I recommend slashing and spreading the pattern. Here’s a tutorial (take a look at picture #2): https://cationdesigns.blogspot.com/2013/09/pants-pattern-alterations.html?spref=pi
I love your patten PJ
Thanks Monique!
Thank you SO much for this pattern. I have also been looking for MONTHS for a suitable pyjama pants pattern – I look very much forward to trying it myself
Thank you for sharing
You’re welcome!
This pattern is so amazing. I plan to get it done for me.
I hope you enjoy the pattern.
I downloaded the free pajama pattern which says it is for both A4 and letter size paper but when I try to print because it A4 the sheet only mostly fits if I click shrink to fit. I don’t think that would be a good idea on clothing. Will you please tell me how to print in letter size?
Hi Yesenia. In your printer settings, there should be an option for paper size. Select “Letter”. Also, for the scaling setting, make sure to scale to 100% instead of shrink to fit.
Thanks for the info. Looking forward to making these.
I’m dying to use this pattern. However, my printer seems to be printing slightly smaller than it’s supposed to. I measured the 5 x 5cm square and it was only 4.8 cm. I can’t find a way to increase the size by just 1/2%. Can anyone give me suggestions?
Hi Diane. In your printer settings, make sure to set the scale to 100%. Do not select “Scale to Fit” as it may skew the size.
Forgot to reverse the pattern when cutting this out, now i have two left legs hehe, need to go buy more fabric, and now I’ll have two pairs.
I hate it when that happens! I’ve done the same thing with other projects. So annoying!
Wow, these are great patterns. I would love to try this.
Just joined looking forward to trying this pattern.
Thank you so much
lynne
Can you add pockets to this pattern? I’m not sure because it doesn’t have the side seam.
Hi Laura. You are correct – there are no side seams, but I’ve seen sewists get creative by adding welt and patch pockets. Give it a try.
Hello, Looks like a great pattern to work with. I received the PDF but not yet printed it. I am planning to make several pairs for the family.
Can you tell me approx. how much fabric I will need for XS, S, M, L and XL? based on 44″ wide fabric. Thanks.
Because of the lockdown/pandemic I have to order the flannel online and it’s better to have good ideal of the amount I need before ordering.
Thanks.
Regards,
NC
Hi NC. There are the fabric requirement by size.
XS: 2 3/4 yards
S: 2 7/8 yards
M: 2 7/8 yards
L: 2 7/8 yards
XL: 3 yards
2X: 3 yards
This information is also in the instructions.
Happy sewing!
If we want to make these 34″ inseam instead of 32″, could I just add two inches to the bottom? Not sure if that would throw anything off. Thanks! Excited to make them!
Hi Laren. Take a look at the pattern around the knee, and you’ll see a line to shorten or lengthen. Cut that line, spread the pattern apart by 2 inches and fill in the gap with paper. You’ll have to blend the edges. This is the best way to add length to the pattern.
Looks like a fantastic pattern! Could this pattern work for men as well? I want to try these for my husband. Other patterns I have made turn out too baggy for him, especially in the legs. I think he would like a more tailored fit, like these. But didn’t know if there is anything I need to do to adapt this for men, besides the lengthen them?
Thank you for making and providing this free pattern. I hope you come out with additional patterns!!
Hi Jenna. Great question. I never used the pattern for men, but give it a try. The only other thing I would adjust is the crotch length. Use a pair of your husband’s ready to wear pants that fits him well and measure the crotch length. Then adjust the pattern to match the crotch length. If you have no idea what the crotch length is, here’s a handy diagram: https://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_c/C209/welcome.html You’ll probably end up raising the front of the waist to match the back as that’s how most men’s pants are cut. Let me know how it works out.