Pajama Pocket Tutorial

Every year, I sew pajama bottoms for our kids as a Christmas Eve gift. I use fabric that has something to do with an interest or a hobby they've had that year. Can you tell what interest 12-year-old Essie has had?

She has memorized the lyrics and dance from this catchy video. Find the answer to "What does the fox say?" here.

Also every year, my sister calls me from out-of-state to ask how to sew pajama pockets. It's tough to remember how to sew pockets when you only do it once a year. While I LOVE talking to my sister, it's kinda hard to explain how to sew a pocket over the phone. So Karen, this is for you:

Step 1: When cutting your fabric, cut four pocket pieces.

Step 2: After sewing the inseams and the crotch, pin each pocket piece to the pajama pant, right sides together about 3 inches down from the waist edge. All four panels (2 front panels, 2 back panels) should have one pocket piece pinned to it. In this photo, the waistband is on the left.

Step 3: Sew a straight line from the top of the pocket to the bottom of the pocket, parallel to the outseam of the pajamas, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. In this photo, the waistband is at the top.

Step 4: Separate the pocket piece from the pant and iron the pocket toward the pant.

Step 5: Now place right sides together for the entire pajama pant. It should look like inside-out pajamas.

Step 6: Pin the entire outseam (I know inseam is a word--is outseam a word too?) together. You don't need to pin the top of the pocket. That part won't be sewn, but will be taken up when you sew the waistband.

Step 7: Sew a straight line from the waistband to about 3/4 inch past the top of the pocket. Use a 5/8 inch seam allowance. In this photo the waistband is on the left.

Step 8: Now sew one continuous seam from the top of the pocket to the hem of the pant.

The bottom of the pocket should look like this:

Step 9: Cut a small slit under the pocket flap.

Step 10: Fold the waistband over to include the top of the pocket. Pin the pocket facing the front of the pant (you don't want backwards pockets!) Sew the top of the pocket into the waistband.

Finish the pajama hem and waistband. Voila!

You can call me anyways, Karen.