How to sew sleep shorts: free pajama shorts pattern, XS to 3XL

To sew sleep shorts, cut two leg pieces on the fold, sew each inseam, slip one leg inside the other and sew the crotch curve, then fold down a casing at the waist and thread elastic through it. Hem the legs and press. There are no side seams, because the fold is the side. The Sewzy Sleep Shorts pattern is free, comes in XS to 3XL by hip and takes about an hour.

Download the free Sleep Shorts PDF: every size, letter and A0 files and the step-by-step guide.

TL;DR

• Size by hip: XS (36 in) to 3XL (56 in), with 8 inches of ease for a relaxed fit.
• Fabric: 1 yd for XS to L, 1¼ yd for XL to 3XL. Cotton lawn, flannel, double gauze, seersucker, linen or soft shirting.
• Elastic: 1½ inch non-roll elastic, your waist minus 2 inches.
• Length: a 3 inch inseam; add to the hem edge for longer shorts.
• Time: about an hour, beginner. The pattern is free.

Sleep shorts size chart

The ⅜ inch seam allowance, the 2¼ inch casing and the 1 inch hem are included. An old duvet cover makes two pairs.

What fabric is best for pajama shorts?

Soft, breathable wovens: cotton lawn and seersucker for summer, flannel for winter, double gauze for the softest feel, or linen and soft shirting. Prewash the fabric so the shorts do not shrink after the first wash. A Christmas flannel makes a quick holiday pajama gift.

How to sew sleep shorts, step by step

1. Cut. Print your size and cut 2 shorts pieces on the fold; the fold is the side seam. Mark the waist line, the hem fold and the crotch notch, and cut the elastic.
2. Inseams. Fold each piece right sides together so the inseam edges meet, stitch from hem to crotch and finish the edges.
3. Crotch seam. Turn one leg right side out and slip it inside the other, inseams matching. Stitch the whole crotch curve, then again ¼ inch in for strength, and clip the curve.
4. Casing. Finish the top edge, fold ½ inch and then 1¾ inches along the waist line and stitch close to the fold, leaving a 2 inch gap at the back. Thread the elastic, join the ends and close the gap.
5. Hem. Press ½ inch and then ½ inch along the hem fold and topstitch. Press.

The casing is explained in detail in how to sew an elastic waistband, and seam finishes in how to finish seams without a serger.

Tips

• Front or back? Sew a 1 inch loop of ribbon at the center back of the casing so you can tell them apart.
• Save fabric: cut with the fold on the selvage.
• Longer shorts: add length at the hem edge.

Make a pajama set

Sew a matching free Boxy Tee for a full pajama set, or go long with how to sew pajama pants. Sleep shorts in a fun print also pair well with a Sleep Mask; see how to sew a sleep mask. The Sleep Shorts are free in the Sewzy app, with every size and a photo for each step.