Sleepwear Makeovers: Pants to Cute Pajama Set and a Bonus

I said a couple days later, but here’s the next craft project a couple weeks later. :(

Anyway, I found this cute pair of pink pajama pants at a thrift store for only $1, score!

They have this cute Mickey and Minnie mouse print.

The problem was that not only were they too big, but I found them too warm to wear here in Arizona.  I prefer to wear shorts for sleeping.

That’s an easy thing to do, and it would leave fabric leftover, for what?  Then I thought, why not make a cute top?  Why not make a set of pajamas?

So let’s turn old pajama pants into a cute new pajama set. 

First, I cut the legs of the pants to make shorts.  I cut them about an inch longer than I wanted, so I could hem them later.

Then I pinned and stitched the inseam and took it in about 1.5 inches.  This was both to make the too big shorts fit me better, and to deal with a little hole I noticed in the crotch area.  Problems solved.

Then all I had to do was re-hem the shorts with a zig-zag stitch.

New pajama shorts completed!

Now for the top.  This is a drawstring tank top made a lot like the doll tank tops from my video tutorial.  Check it out if you have a little trouble with this.

First I took the cut off legs and cut down the side to open them up.  Layer them together right sides together, and you have fabric for the top. 

I wanted the top to fit loosely, but depending on how wide your fabric is (and how wide you are), you may want to trim it a little before sewing.

I used the already hemmed part of the fabric for the top of the tank top, it will be used as a casing for the ribbon. 

I first cut the top corners off in a curve shape, (use a tank top that fits as a cutting guide if needed).

Then I pinned and stitched the sides of the tank top.

Then the bottom was ready for hemming.

All that was left to do was thread ribbons through the “casings” and tie to form the straps.  I added a ribbon bow to the front just for fun.

And now the drawstring tank top is done…

…And the pajama set is ready to wear.

Now here’s the bonus.  A cute night gown makeover. 

I got this cute night gown at a thrift store ages ago.

I loved the cute pattern, it has kitties, bunnies and cows, because cows are adorable, right?

The problem is that I never wear it.  Not only is it too big, but I think it would work better as a top than a gown.  Easy to fix.

I just cut it where I wanted it, plus an inch for the hem.

I pinned and stitch along the sides to take it in, because things are always too big for me.

Then a quick hemming job to finish.

But, we’re not done yet.  Let’s make shorts!

I took that piece I cut off and cut down the middle to form to folded pieces.  I will use the already hemmed bottom for the hem of my shorts.

I used a pair of shorts I already had as a guide to cut the curve.  I left a couple of inches at the top for the waist.

Unfold the pieces and layer them right sides together.

It’s hard to tell in this photo, but the curved part should be deeper on one side.  That will be the back seam, and it needs to be deeper to accommodate your back side.

Anyway, I just pinned and stitch the back seam and then the front seam.

Then I turned the shorts around and pinned the inseam before sewing it securely.

Time for the waist.  I just double fold and sew to form a casing for the elastic.

Then I thread the elastic through with a safety pin and stitched the ends together.

And the shorts are finished…

And the second pajama set is complete and ready to wear.

Here’s the updated list:

• Dress makeover
• Doll undies
• Cameo and Hearts
• Blouse makeover
• Phone case
• Outfit
• Mother’s Day
• Costume fix
• Jammies
• Bonnet

Nine down, just one more to go.  The next one will be up in a couple of days.  I hope.