There is nothing better than slipping into comfy pj’s at night. It is a comfort that starts in childhood with your parents zipping you into footie pajamas after a warm bath. It makes you feel safe and loved. That’s why a soft and comfortable pair of sleep shorts is the perfect gift for your kids. It is easier to make than you think even if you’re not a skilled seamstress. These fun and easy Star Wars sleep shorts can be made in under an hour, no pattern needed!
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[bctt tweet=”These fun and easy Star Wars sleep shorts can be made in under an hour, no pattern needed!” username=”diyadulation”]
Materials
Step 1
First, lay your piece of fabric flat and iron any wrinkles out of it.
Step 2
Fold the piece of fabric in half (long ways) twice. It should look like the photo above.
Step 3
Fold the pair of athletic shorts in half and place on your folded fabric. Line up the straight edge of the shorts with one side of the folded fabric. Leave a quarter inch of the fabric edge exposed. This will be the side seam.
Step 4
Cut around the pair of shorts and be sure to cut through all of the layers of fabric. Leave a quarter inch allowance on all of the sides of the shorts except the top (waist). Leave a 1.5 inch allowance at the waist.
Step 5
Pull apart the cut out pieces of fabric on because one of your edges lined up on a fold. There should be 3 cuts of fabric.
Step 6
Place the 2 smaller cuts of fabric together with right sides facing each other. Make sure that the cuts are lined up.
Step 7
Pin the straight edge of the fabric together and sew the seam.
Step 8
Open up your newly sewn piece and match with your second, unsewn, piece. Line up the edges of the fabric with (newly sewn seam in the center) with right sides facing together. (See picture for reference.)
Step 9
Pin the curved edges at the top of the left and right sides.
Step 10
Sew where you have pinned. Stop where the fabric comes to a point (about the middle of each side).
Step 11
Pull on the straight seams of the fabric so that your curved seams are lined up in the center (when you lay them flat, they should look like shorts).
Step 12
Pin each inseam.
Step 13
Sew each inseam separately. Start your stitch at the bottom and sew towards top. Be sure you overlap the curved seam’s stitch slightly. Repeat for the second inseam.
Step 14
Pin the bottom hems of each leg.
Step 15
Sew each leg hem.
Step 16
Next, pin the hem at the waist of the shorts. The hem should be an inch and a half (that same excess you left when cutting).
Step 17
Sew the waist hem and leave a gap at least an inch wide in your stitch. This allows you to thread your elastic through.
Step 18
Attach a safety pin to the end of your elastic.
Tip:
- If you don’t have any safety pins (I did not, as you can see above) you can use a paperclip as well.
Step 19
Pull the elastic through the waist and then pull back the fabric so that you can sew the ends of your elastic together.
Tips:
- Don’t cut your elastic before threading. This will keep you from pulling the loose end of your elastic all the way out of your seam.
- Measure your elastic by wrapping it around the circumference of the waist hem and subtracting one inch from that length. Feel free to mark it with anything because it will be hidden inside the waist of the shorts.
Step 20
Cut off the excess elastic and trim any excess threads hanging from the seams.
Step 21
Turn the shorts right-side out, wash, and enjoy.
This seems like a lot of steps but the project comes together quickly. Don’t forget that you can personalize these to suit your child’s tastes. Also, since the pair of shorts you use to measure dictates the final outcome, the sleep shorts will automatically be their desired length. Pair these with the birthday card frame and have a last-minute gift that is thoughtful and personalized.
See where I’m linking up!