October 6, 2025 • Updated January 29, 2026

The Ultimate Guide to Sewing Handmade Pajamas

Considering that we spend roughly a third of our lives wearing pajamas, you should wear pajamas that are super comfortable, fit your body and style and make you happy! We’ll share our tips, recommended fabrics and our favorite pajama patterns so you have everything you need to make handmade pajamas. Read on to see how easy it is to up your PJ game and take your sleepwear from worn out to wonderful.

Photo of mock up pajama designs in various patterns.

Why You Should Sew Handmade Pajamas

Shout out to the humble pajamas! While you may not really see the need to sew something you won’t be wearing outside the house, we promise you will see the joy in making something just for you. Once you make a set, you’ll never go back to buying them!

We spend so much time in our sleepwear at night (and let’s be honest, a fair amount of time in them on the weekend) it only seems right to give our sleepwear an upgrade and a little me-made loving. Two reasons we love making our own pajamas: 1. you can choose a daring design. That bold citron floral? Something a little weird and wonderful? While it may not be something in your regular wardrobe rotation, it’s perfect for bed. 2. There ARE occasions where you and your pajamas will be seen. Sure, maybe not every night, but a shared holiday home with a group of friends? You want to be covered and cute. We also LOVE the idea of custom pajamas for parties and events! We have seen people use Spoonflower fabric for bridal party getting-ready pajamas in a pattern that coordinates with the vibe or in a custom design that matches all the details of the day. Another favorite is family holiday pajamas. Everyone can choose a coordinating design and a sewing pattern of their choice for a matching moment on Christmas morning.

The Best Fabric Types for Handmade Pajamas

Cotton Silk Fabric

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With the sheen of silk and the breathability of cotton, Cotton Silk is a luxuriously comfortable fabric choice for pajamas. Its versatility and gentle feel makes it a prime choice for pajama sets or slips that need a touch of elegance.

Cotton Lawn Fabric

For a beautifully crisp pajama set, try our Cotton Lawn fabric. Offering a silky soft touch, it’s lightweight and slightly sheer, so select your project accordingly. You’ll love it’s unmatched fluidity and fine print detail for pajamas or dayjama sets.

Organic Cotton Sateen Fabric

Organic Cotton Sateen is lovely for pajama sets where you want a little more structure. Easy to sew with a beautiful drape, this fabric is a sophisticated choice with a subtle sheen and excellent color detail. You can purchase this Organic Cotton Sateen in the regular 56″ width or get our 116″ wide version to get away with buying less yardage!

Cotton Spandex Jersey Fabric

Michelle wearing her green joggers with white daisies

For the ultimate stretchy, soft and super comfortable set, choose Cotton Spandex Jersey. It offers 4-way stretch and is naturally breathable due to the cotton content. We recommend choosing a lighter designs for the softest feel and optimum color retention through washes.

Organic Cotton Knit Fabric

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Organic Cotton Knit is a medium-weight interlock knit that is extremely soft with a smooth hand. Featuring a natural 2-way stretch, this fabric has been a longtime favorite of sewists who want their go-to design on cozy apparel. Made with ecologically grown cotton, it has the perfect laid-back look and feel, making it a great choice for pajamas and nightgowns.

Organic Sweet Pea GauzeⓇ Fabric

Rumana sits on a gray couch holding a mug in her hands, looking at the camera and smiling. She is wearing a dusty pink hijab and pajamas with a tropical print featuring toucans, pink and orange flowers and a bright blue background. To the right are a few

A close up of Rumana’s pajamas showing the top’s front buttons and pockets. Rumana’s left hand is in her pocket. The pajamas have a tropical print featuring toucans, pink and orange flowers and a bright blue background. Behind Rumana is a gray couch and a

Developed exclusively for Spoonflower, Organic Sweet Pea Gauze® crinkles when washed and is dreamy for pajamas. With an open-weave texture similar to muslin, it’s light and airy for warmer nights, but also soft and cozy against the skin. Gauze does have a natural stretch due to the loose weave, and your cut pieces might ‘grow’ if you handle them too much. Take care and try not to stretch out necklines.

Satin Fabric

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For an extra-luxurious pajama set, give Satin a try! It’s a silky, lightweight 100% polyester woven fabric that is perfect for projects that benefit from high sheen and a soft hand. While not as breathable, bright colors will hold up very well through repeated laundering.

Designs for Handmade Pajamas

Whether you go soft and sweet or colorful and bold, there is a design for you on Spoonflower. We have cureated the ones used in this post and some of our favorites into a collection to get you started!

Our Favorite Pajama Sewing Patterns

When it comes to pattern choice, there are so many out there for you to choose from. There are the more traditional collared sets or more casual loungewear sets. We have collected some of our favorite patterns and paired them with popular pajama motifs styles we adore! These patterns come in many sizes with tons of variations to choose from to make pajamas you love.

Nightgown Sewing Patterns

Closet Core Simone Slip Pajama Dress

Seamwork's Lisbon Slip Sewing Pattern

Sewing and the City's Mott Lounge Dress

Tank Top Pajama Sets Sewing Patterns

Tilly and the Buttons Fifi Pyjama Sewing Pattern Mock Up

Anna the Tailor's Maya Pyjamas Pattern mock up

At the Seams Lily Sleepwear Set sewing pattern mock up

Paradise Patterns Honeygirl Lounge Set Sewing Pattern mock up

Short Sleeve Pajama Sets Sewing Patterns

At the Seams Summer Sleepwear Set Sewing Pattern mock up

Closet Core's Carolyn Pajamas Sewing Pattern mock up

Common Stitch Pipit Loungewear Set Sewing Pattern Mock Up

Long Sleeve Pajama Sets Sewing Patterns

Closet Core's Caroyln Pajama Pattern Framed Exotic Animals Mock Up

Seamwork Leif Pajama Set Sewing Pattern Mock Up

Anna the Tailor's Zoye Pajamas sewing Pattern

Vogue Patterns Men's Pajama pattern mock up

Closet Core's Fran Pajama sewing pattern mock up

Mock up of the Wear We're Going Full Umbra Lounge Set sewing pattern in Spoonflower fabric

Hopefully you feel inspired to turn your sewing attentions to a set of PJs. They are well worth the effort—you’ll feel extra special every time you wear them to bed.

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