Measurements you need
Tape horizontal around the narrowest part of your torso, usually ¾–1⅝ in above the navel. Snug but not tight; don't pull in your stomach.Tape horizontal around the narrowest part of your torso, usually 2–4 cm above the navel. Snug but not tight; don't pull in your stomach.
Usually 22⅞–43¼ in.Usually 58–110 cm.Tape horizontal around the fullest part of your buttocks, allowing for the curve of your stomach. Stand straight, feet together.Tape horizontal around the fullest part of your buttocks, allowing for the curve of your stomach. Stand straight, feet together.
Usually 33⅛–51⅛ in.Usually 84–130 cm.At the side, from the waistline down to the level where you measured the hip. It helps to tie a ribbon at the waist and measure from it.At the side, from the waistline down to the level where you measured the hip. It helps to tie a ribbon at the waist and measure from it.
Usually 7⅛–8⅝ in.Usually 18–22 cm.Sit on a hard chair. At the side, straight down from the waistline to the seat. This measurement determines whether the pants will pull or hang loose at the crotch.Sit on a hard chair. At the side, straight down from the waistline to the seat. This measurement determines whether the pants will pull or hang loose at the crotch.
Usually 9½–11¾ in.Usually 24–30 cm.At the side from the waistline down to the desired hem. For a knee-length skirt — about 23⅝ in, for pants — to the floor or to the ankle bone.At the side from the waistline down to the desired hem. For a knee-length skirt — about 60 cm, for pants — to the floor or to the ankle bone.
Skirt 15¾–39⅜ in, pants 35⅜–43¼ in, shorts 11¾–21⅝ in.Skirt 40–100 cm, pants 90–110 cm, shorts 30–55 cm.Feet slightly apart. Tape horizontally around the widest part of one leg, just below the gluteal fold. You can leave 0 — we'll estimate from the hip.Feet slightly apart. Tape horizontally around the widest part of one leg, just below the gluteal fold. You can leave 0 — we'll estimate from the hip.
Usually 19⅝–27½ in.Usually 50–70 cm.How the pajama shorts are drafted
The base is the same as for pants and shorts: the hip measurement plus ease is divided between the front and back pieces, with a larger step extension and a slanted center seam at the back. For pajamas, the hip ease is 5½ in14 cm, the seat line is dropped by another ¾ in2 cm, and below that the leg widens with straight seams to a hem width of 0.72 of the hip measurement. The top has no darts and is finished with an elastic casing.
We checked the draft against proven commercial patterns for the same style: the key measurements match.
The pattern maker checks the draft itself: circumferences along the finished outline, matching side and inseam lengths, leg width at the hem, and ease at the hip. The results appear in the "Draft check" section.
How to print and tape
Download the PDF on Letter or A4 sheets and print at 100% scale, without "fit to page." The first sheet has the test square: measure it with a ruler. Sheets are taped with an overlap along the strips ⅜ in1 cm; sheet numbers and the assembly diagram are on the first page. For a copy shop or plotter, choose "One-sheet PDF."
What you get
Full-size front and back shorts pieces — cut each twice, mirrored — plus the elastic casing. Seam allowances and hem allowance are already included.
FAQ
How are pajama shorts different from regular shorts?
They are looser: hip ease is 5½ in14 cm instead of 4, the leg is wider at the hem — 0.72 of the hip measurement — and the seat is deeper by ¾ in2 cm. That's why the shorts don't restrict you in your sleep or dig in when you sit. This is how commercial pajama shorts patterns are designed — we checked the pattern maker against them.
What fabric should I use?
Something soft and breathable: cotton, sateen, poplin, batiste, voile, viscose, linen, Tencel. For warm pajamas, use flannel or French terry; with knit fabric you can reduce the hip ease to 3⅛–3⅞ in8–10 cm.
How long should I make them?
By default, 14⅛ in36 cm along the side from the waist — short shorts with an inseam of about 2⅜ in6 cm. Longer: 15¾–17¾ in40–45 cm. You can't go shorter: at this crotch depth the inseam would disappear, and the pattern maker will suggest the minimum length.
How much elastic do I need?
About your waist measurement minus 10% — the pattern maker shows the length under the draft. Elastic width is ¾–1⅝ in2–4 cm, and the casing is drafted for it. The top of the shorts is no narrower than the hips with some room, so they pull on without a closure and gather softly with the elastic.