Last weekend I shortened a pair of pajama pants for the daughter of one of my friends. I took some pics of the process I used. Just in case any of my readers ever need to do the same thing! It’s really very easy. Just a few simple steps 🙂
Measure from the top of the pj pants to the length you want them finished plus an allowance for whatever hem or finish you want on the bottom. Cut the leg off here.
Lay the bottom part of the leg you just cut off onto the other leg matching up the bottom edge of the legs. Cut off the second leg.
My friend thought these would be cute with the cuff taken off the bottom and put back on the shortened length. So I cut them off leaving about a 1/2 inch above the black trim.
Save the pieces of fabric you cut out of the pj’s. Use it for a fun project later!
Serge around the raw edge of the cuffs cut off the bottom of the pj’s.
Iron that serged edge to the inside, making sure the black trim does not get pressed under.
This is what they will look like when the serged edge is pressed under.
Since the bottom edge of the pj’s was now bigger around than the cuff that needs reattached I made a pleat at the side seam of each leg.
Reattaching the cuff: Right sides up on pj’s and cuff pin the cuff exactly where it needs to be when finished.
On the inside you will be lining up both serged edges ( I also serged the bottom edge of the shortened pj legs)
This is what the inside looks like when pinned ready to sew.
Stitch on the top side right on the black trim – I used black thread.
This is what the seam looks like on the inside. Two separate pieces both serged. Another way to do this would be to NOT serge either edge before sewing and then serge them both together after the cuff is reattached. It might be a little less bulky that way – whatever you prefer!
And the finished project. Wasn’t that easy?!
Cuff detail.
Sew a Fine Seam
Linking up here!
I love how you say “Wasn’t that easy?” when my eyes totally glazed over and I skipped all the words and just looked at the pretty pictures after you serged & ironed the cuffs :o) This is why my sewing projects look haber-dashed together. :o)
Mrs. K, I totally agree! And I’m related to her!
🙂 Well it IS easy if you like to sew and do a lot of it 🙂 IF sewing isn’t your thing – so what! You have other stuff that is your thing!
Amen to what Mrs. K said!:)- & yes I find it really annoying that PJ Pants are ofter way too long!:/! Way to go though- They look cute!
Very cute! Love the pleat. I would have gotten myself into a worked-up mess trying to figure out how to get that cuff back on. So smart!
Well, Katie, now you have a tutorial for whenever you need to use it! I’m sure you could have figured it out too – you are a seamstress too!!
The p.j. pants look pretty adorable hanging on your lockers!
What a great idea! The rate at which my youngest is growing makes this a very good thing to remember!
Well, Jenni, I totally agree as well. This is why these are MY daughters pj’s and why Jill had them, lol! They are darling and E loves them. Thanks again, Jill!
do you really have those lockers in your house? i’ve been searching for a set for quite a while. i went to an auction recently and there was a fantastic set of 4 – (i want at least 4) and they were VERY cool – really industrial – turns out they were European and sold for a gazillion dollars. . . ah, well. the search continues.
b.
Yes, Breida they are in my house. This one is a set of 3 I have a larger set of 4 across with upper and lower doors in my laundry room. There have been several new schools built around here lately and they have auctions of the old school stuff. the red set cost $45 and the bigger set I think we paid $70. You can buy them new too – I might do that if we ever build a house. they aren’t outrageous but not as cheap as these either.
Those are so cute! I have been wanting to try this with a few of my pajama pants, so this will be very helpful.
Glad this can help you Rebecca! Blessings!
Very nice tutorial! I think everyone should know how to sew the basics…sewing really isn’t that difficult!Stopping by from Freckled Laundry