Sewing patterns for nightwear

Sewing patterns for nightwear: pyjamas, nighties and nightdresses to make yourself

Sewing your own nightwear offers an advantage that ready-to-wear cannot provide: adjusting the neckline width exactly, lengthening a nightdress by 5 centimetres, or choosing a fabric whose weight matches your sleeping temperature precisely. A pair of pyjamas made from double gauze, tailor-made in a size 42, is a far cry from what you’d find in a standard one-size-fits-all design. This category brings together PDF patterns for nightwear covering pyjamas, nighties, nightdresses, camisoles, dressing gowns and kimonos, for women and children.

Choosing fabric for pyjama or nightdress patterns: the weights that matter

Fabric is the most crucial factor in creating a successful nightwear garment, and mistakes are common. Double-weave cotton gauze (100 to 130 g/m²) has become the go-to choice for all-season pyjama patterns: it is soft from the very first wash, breathes well in summer and retains enough warmth for room temperatures of 18 to 20°C. For undershirts, cotton flannel (170 to 200 g/m²) or a lightweight fleece jersey give the best results.

For nightdress and nightshirt patterns, flowing fabrics are essential. Viscose (150 to 180 g/m²) drapes well and is easy to work with. Polyester satin, priced from €4 to €6 per metre, is less warm than silk satin and more affordable. When sewing satin, use a microtex needle size 70 or 80 and a reduced sewing speed to prevent the seams from pulling. Soft jersey (95% cotton, 5% elastane, 180 to 220 g/m²) is suitable for summer camisole and shorts sets and ribbed designs.

Read through a PDF pattern thoroughly before cutting the fabric

Most patterns are available in A4 or A3 format to print at home and assemble, or in A0 format to have printed at a print shop for around 3 to 5 euros. Before cutting, check two things: whether or not the seam allowances are included (some patterns give you the choice, others do not, and forgetting to add 1 cm all round will affect the finished look), and the grain line on each piece. For a double-gauze pyjama pattern, placing the grain line lengthways on the trousers prevents the bottoms of the legs from twisting after the first few washes. Sizes generally range from 36 to 52 depending on the designer, with a size chart to cross-reference with your own measurements: waist, hip and crotch depth.

Women’s pyjama pattern: elasticated trousers or high-waisted trousers – two realistic levels of difficulty

A women’s pyjama pattern with elasticated-waist trousers, without a fastening, can be sewn in 2 to 3 hours on a standard sewing machine and is suitable for beginners. A design with a high waist, buttonholes and button plackets at the top takes a day’s work and requires proficiency with automatic buttonhole machines. Patterns for nighties and nightdresses are often among the quickest projects in garment sewing: a bias-cut strappy nightie, without a fastening, can be assembled in under an hour once the fabric has been cut. The actual level of difficulty depends on the finishing touches: a neckline with hand-applied bias binding is more technical than one with flat elastic, even if the final result looks better.

The designers featured here have very different styles when it comes to writing instructions. Atelier Adriette is renowned for its detailed explanations with technical diagrams for each stage of assembly. Klafoutis often includes several length variations within the same pattern. Les Patronnes and Kandix offer nightwear ranges with structured cuts. If you’re just starting out, these distinctions matter more than the style of the garment. For beginner projects, the sewing patterns for beginners offer a selection of accessible designs, including some nightwear.

Nightdresses and night kimonos: planning for volume and finishes

Dressing gowns are a project in their own right. Managing fabric thickness is the main challenge: a dressing gown made from lightweight fleece or terry cloth (300 to 400 g/m²) requires a machine capable of sewing smoothly without bunching at the armhole seams. Allow 2.5 to 3 metres of fabric for a size 40 to 42 bathrobe, and more if the design includes a belt and pockets. A night kimono made from viscose or satin is much lighter to work with, but blind or topstitched seams are recommended for the inner finishes: overlock seams look less neat on these fine fabrics.

Designers specialising in lingerie and nightwear

Mangue-Chocolat offers nightie designs with detailed lace options. Maya Patterns develops cosy patterns designed for soft jersey fabrics. Loumajinne Créations approaches pyjamas with straight cuts combining jersey and woven fabrics. Miss Cactus, Instinct Couture and Fée Main Patrons round off the range with casual designs and a variety of finishes. For projects similar to nightwear, the Lingerie and Underwear collections expand this category. Children’s pyjama patterns are grouped together in the dedicated Children’s Pyjamas collection, with designs for ages 2 to 14.

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